Head Chef Job Description: 9 Key Duties + Template
A complete Head Chef job description guide covering 9 key duties, required skills, salary expectations and a customizable template.
Hiring a Head Chef is never easy, especially since this is a high-level position.
There are steps that you need to take before reaching the interview stage; one of them is creating a well-crafted Head Chef job description that will help you attract a talented and creative Head Chef.
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Head Chef Job Description Template
As OysterLink is dedicated to supporting the community, we've created a job description template that you can easily download, modify and use to attract the right candidate.
Looking for Head Chef roles? Browse our Head Chef jobs.
Not sure how a Head Chef differs from other kitchen roles like a Sous Chef? This quick breakdown highlights the key differences in responsibilities, leadership and decision-making:
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Head Chef Duties and Responsibilities
Start by determining what is the key goal that a Head Chef needs to achieve.
Once you have that going, it will be easy to write down other duties that will lead to accomplishing this goal.
The main goal of a Head Chef can be running a smooth kitchen operation or increasing customer satisfaction levels.
To achieve any of these goals, a Head Chef has to be able to choose vendors, create a pleasant work environment and ensure team members are satisfied. They need to consistently create high-quality dishes and ensure all team members follow the same.
While doing these activities, they also have to take care of the business side of things.
They need to follow equipment and food orders, schedule preventive maintenance and stay up to date with the latest culinary trends, such as food allergies and seasonal vegetables.
Being a Head Chef goes beyond cooking — it’s about leading a team, managing costs and ensuring smooth kitchen operations. Here’s a quick overview of what the role really involves in practice:
Head Chef Skills and Experience
A Head Chef is a position where you probably won’t risk hiring someone inexperienced. To determine the ideal experience requirement for Head Chef candidates, take into consideration the size of your establishment, the size of the team and how well the restaurant operates.
Some establishments seek a minimum of 10 years of Head Chef experience, but we don’t recommend such an approach.
While having some experience as a Head Chef is an advantage, people progress at a different pace. Someone with three years of experience might be a better fit because of their eagerness to advance and learn.
People who are seeking to get promoted from a Sous Chef position might also be a good fit. Don’t cut the talent pool with such a trivial thing as the number of years spent in a leadership position.
Look out for ambitious and talented people, who have leadership skills and a passion for the industry.
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Head Chef Education and Certifications
While a culinary arts degree is an advantage, we wouldn’t consider it an eliminatory factor. Try to see behind the candidate’s resume and find that spark that not many possess.
It goes without saying that a Head Chef must have at least a high school diploma because the position requires math skills for revenue calculations.
As for certifications, if you are not sure what to look for, check out our list of recommended Chef Certifications.
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Head Chef Salary Expectations
The salary for the Head Chef position might differ from one establishment to another. But there are some recommendations every employer should follow.
For starters, the average base salary for a Head Chef in the United States is $6,136.00 a month. However, you can certainly adjust this depending on your company budget and whether or not you’ll be offering monetary incentives (e.g., bonuses) for this position.
You can find all the details and compare salary trends for different states and cities using our Head Chef Salary Guide.
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