Chef Levels You Must Know If You Want to Build Your Own Restaurant

Do you dream of having your own restaurant? That's so cool! However, before you start renting a place or creating a menu, try asking yourself, do you understand the concept? Chef level in a professional kitchen?

Don't just recruit a kitchen team just by looking at their CV. Behind the delicious food served neatly, there is a well-organized work structure. Well, so the kitchen is like an orchestra, everyone has their own task.

It all starts from one important thing, namely understanding the level of the chef and his duties. It's not just about the role, but also related to responsibility, skills, even chef level and salary. 

Let's discuss them one by one, so that you don't just have a restaurant, but also understand how to build a solid kitchen team! Read this article until the end, okay!

Why is it necessary to know about the level of a chef?

Imagine like this, you are handling a restaurant that is starting to get busy, suddenly there is an order for 30 portions of fried duck. 

However, why is the kitchen all panicking? No one knows who is plating, handling the sauce, or the consistency of the taste.

That's a sign that you don't have the right kitchen structure. Chef level in the kitchen was created to make the workflow efficient. Every chef already has a clear job description. So, when there is pressure, everyone can still work optimally.

By knowing the level of the chef and his duties, you can form a team that works with a regular rhythm. No drama, or passing the buck. Let's start discussing one by one!

1. Assistant Chef: The All-Round Right Hand Man

Source: Freepik

In the starting position, there is an assistant chef. They are the first people ready to help with all kitchen needs. Starting from cutting ingredients, plating, to maintaining cleanliness.

Even though the position is still entry level, the role assistant chef very important to keep the work tempo. Usually, they are learning to move up to a higher position.

But don't take it lightly, okay? There are so many.assistant chefs who eventually become the backbone of the kitchen, because they know all the workflows by heart.

Then, kIf you are building a team from scratch, look for assistant chefs who are diligent, agile, and willing to learn. Why is that? Because you can shape them intohalf cheflater. So, what is it for the chef?

Read Also: Curious About Fusion Food? Understand the Simple Explanation So You Don't Get It Wrong

2. Demi Chef: The Station Manager

Moving on to the next level, let's get to know each other as half chef. This position is also known as section leader. Their job is more focused, usually holding one station. For example, the frying station, grill station, or pastry.

Each half chef will be fully responsible for the cooking results from his station. Consistency of taste, cooking techniques, to plating must be up to standard.

So, if something fails at his station, he is responsible. Many large restaurants have more than three section leaders. 

Because each station needs people who are experts in their field. Well, for those of you who want to open a restaurant with a variety of menus, don't forget to allocate a budget and recruit section leaders according to their needs.

How about the salary? Don't worry,chef level and salary we will discuss too. However, one thing is for sure, the higher the skill and responsibility, the higher the salary.

3. Sous Chef: Commander of the Kitchen

Source: Freepik

After having some half chef, you will need one person who can coordinate everything. Well, this is where the role of sous chefs it's very important. You could say, sous chefs the right hand of the head of the kitchen, aka executive.

The main task sous chef that oversees the running of the kitchen during operations. He also helps plan menus, check ingredients, and maintain food quality. If there is a problem in the kitchen, usually sous chef who took action first.

If you have a restaurant that is starting to get busy and have a busy kitchen shift, sous chef can be your savior. 

He helps you manage daily operations, without you having to go back and forth into the kitchen yourself.

Oh yeah, about that.chef level and salary, this position has entered the upper middle category. This is because the responsibility is very big, so the salary also follows.

Read Also: Get to Know the Meaning of CDP or Chef de Partie, See the Full Explanation Here

4. Executive Chef: The Visionary Behind Every Menu

If you like to see chefs on TV leading big kitchens, they are usually executive chefs. 

Well, this is the highest position in chef level in the kitchen. However, make no mistake, the job is not just cooking.

One person executive chef must have a vision. He is the one who creates the menu concept, manages food costs, and hires the team. Even some executive chefs are also involved in restaurant branding.

Because they have a big role in the taste of the restaurant itself. If you open a restaurant from scratch and want to have a top chef, look for an executive chef that can help you build a kitchen system.

However, if you have cooking experience and a strong culinary concept, you can also do this as an executive chef Also. 

In the system chef level and salary, this position is the highest. It makes sense, because the responsibility is no joke. Not only managing the kitchen, but also taking care of the big vision of your restaurant.

Understand the Ideal Kitchen Team Structure

Source: Freepik

Now you know everything about the level of the chef and his duties, it's time for you to start thinking about the team structure according to the scale of your restaurant. 

For a small restaurant, usually having one person is enough assistant chef, half chef, and you yourself as executive chef.

Now,If you want to open a restaurant that has 2 kitchens (for example one for delivery, one for dine-in), you must recruitsous chef which can help organize work flow.

Don't forget the shift system that keeps the kitchen team working optimally without fatigue. Also understand that the kitchen team structure is flexible.

You can adjust it based on operational needs. The important thing is that each role is clear. All chefs know what to do, so there is no confusion when the restaurant is busy.

Read Also: Demi Chef Pastry: Check Out Their Duties and Roles in the World of Patisserie

How to Recruit the Right Chef Team?

Well, this one he is the one who often gives new restaurant owners a headache. How do you recruit the right chef? 

There are two answers, first, you have to know chef level and what you need. Second, you must have a clear work system.

If you just hire without knowing their role, you will waste time and money. For example, you think you only need one person for everything, when in fact each task has different skills.

With understanding the level of the chef and his duties, you can post a more accurate job ad. You can write detailed job descriptions, work standards, and your expectations.

Not only that, you can also love chef level and salary which complies with market standards.

Don't Forget to Build a Supportive System

A great chef will not be able to work optimally if the work system is chaotic. Starting from late orders, empty stock of ingredients, to messy kitchen receipts, all of that causes stress.

Therefore, it is very important for you to invest in a solid operational system. One of them is by using a digital restaurant system which can help the kitchen team work more neatly.

For example, a system that directly sends orders from the cashier to the kitchen screen. Or an inventory system that provides notifications when ingredients are running low.

All of this is aimed at making work assistant chef, half chef, until sous chef becomes easier. They can focus on the kitchen, without thinking about technical matters that should have been handled by the system.

Conclusions

Well, now you have a complete picture of the matter.chef level in the kitchen, right? You know who is assistant chef, role half chef, responsibility section leader, important functions sous chef, and one person's job executive chef.

You also understand the importance of knowing the level of the chef and his duties. The impact is that you are better prepared to decide chef level and salary which is appropriate. 

All of this will be a strong foundation that can make your restaurant's food delicious and its team solid.If you want your restaurant kitchen to work quickly, neatly and with minimal errors, it's time for you to get to know ESB. 

ESB helps restaurants like yours to manage orders, stock, and kitchen team schedules in one digital system.

So all chef level can work optimally without any hassle. From assistant chef until executive chef, everyone can be more productive because of the clear workflow.

You can also monitor kitchen performance anytime, from anywhere. Let's build your dream restaurant with a professional system. Contact the ESB Team Now!