Cook Job Description

Cooking has evolved as an art and with chef being one of the most sought after careers in the culinary field, it is not surprising that various career opportunities in cooking jobs have popped in the hotel and restaurant businesses. Pick up any newspaper or visit the internet, skilled cooks are in high demands in the food service industry. Various hotels have started recruiting candidates on the basis of cooking tests and interviews! Well, the apparently simple task of cooking is never easy, especially, if one is not working in the comfort of his home kitchen. Working in the home kitchen is quite different from working in the commercial kitchens.

Job Description
Cooks, especially, those who work in commercial kitchens are graduates of culinary art schools and they have good educational qualifications.

Ensure Safety and Sanitation
Being a cook is a responsible position as a cook has to maintain health standards and has to ensure that safety conditions in the food cooking areas are perfect. The utensils and vegetables have to be properly washed so that food borne diseases are avoided. Proper cooking methods are also important for ensuring that proteins and vitamins are not lost due to over cooking.

Effective Food Management
In the commercial places, food management plays an effective role in timely management of orders and facilitates faster work. Cooks have to ensure that resources utilized in the kitchen are not wasted and ingredients are used in effective manner. Preserving foods and ingredients with safety and managing space for keeping every food items is also an important part of a cook's job.

Expertise in Kitchen Management
Cooks have to organize staff schedule, manage various orders simultaneously, multitask, plan menu and ensure that cooking activities are carried out effectively. Cooks are also responsible for promoting positive work environment and coordinate staff activities. During peak hours of service, handling customer orders can be hectic however, cooks have to make it a habit to handle pressure.

Deftness in Cooking
For cooks, ability to cook various types of cuisines and foods is a must have requirement as that is what forms the identity of the cook. Cooks must have the ability to memorize food recipes and experiment with various types of cooking styles. Being well aware of various kitchen appliances and their usage is a trait that comes through consistent practice. We all have seen famous and great chefs on television shows explaining various national and international recipes that are always a treat to watch for all food lovers.

Average Salary
The earning potential of a cook depends on work experience, type of employer, job designation and work location. Combining all these factors, the average cook salary is determined. In the initial years, cooks can earn anywhere between US$16,000 to US$30,000. With increase in work experience, the salaries can go as high as US$50,000. The highest salaries and benefits are enjoyed by chefs and cooks in fancy restaurants located in posh areas. The job of a cook varies slightly with the working place of the cook. If the cook is working in some fast food restaurant, his work may extend to some other duties, while if he is working in some hotel, it may be restricted to just being involved in every aspect of cooking.

Cooking is in itself a mix of art and science. While you must have an inner urge and uncanny knack to cook delicious dishes, you have to be aware of the technicalities of proper cooking styles. If you have developed a keen interest in this field, then you should move ahead to take further educational qualifications from reputed culinary art schools. Teenagers can work part-time in restaurants and hotels and check if their aptitude matches with their interest. Being a cook is a rewarding career choice as this industry has grown drastically in the recent years and hold promises for further growth in the coming years.