Become a flavour maestro and explore a career as a chef
We shine a light on different careers every week to educate and allow young people to discover new interests.
Selecting the correct career is a crucial decision with far-reaching implications. It is a choice that will shape your future, underscoring the importance of making an informed decision.
Over the next few weeks, The African Reporter will engage with business people, professionals and other role players, focusing on a specific career every week.
By doing this, we aim to provide valuable guidance to our younger readers navigating their career choices.
This week, we give a platform to the chef as a career.
Dunnottar resident Sibusiso Mabena has been a chef for 10 years and said his love for cooking and working with food began in his grandmother’s kitchen.
“My grandmother made the best meals and enjoyed baking and trying new recipes. Every time I visited, I knew we would explore in the kitchen. That developed into a passion for me,” he said.
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What is a chef?
A chef is a professional cook and tradesperson proficient in all aspects of food preparation, often focusing on a particular cuisine.
A chef studies the culinary arts, knows a kitchen’s rules and is a food lover.
What does a chef do?
Chefs are responsible for training and managing kitchen personnel, supervising and co-ordinating all culinary activities, and making administrative decisions for a restaurant.
The most important of these responsibilities is ensuring quality culinary dishes are served on schedule and noting and rectifying any problems. As such, the executive chef is responsible for approving all prepared food that leaves the kitchen.
What tasks should chefs perform?
• Reviewing food and beverage purchases;
• Developing and standardising recipes;
• Maintaining safety and sanitation and equipment;
• Designing food presentation aesthetics
• Planning and preparing special menu items
• Choosing menu designs and determining menu prices.
Chefs might also cook selected items and for select occasions. They might oversee special catering events, offering culinary instructions or demonstrating culinary techniques.
They directly supervise kitchen personnel and are responsible for hiring, disciplining, performance reviews and initiating pay increases. Typically, a chef reports to a food service director.
How long does it take to become a chef?
It depends on the school you go to. The International Hotel School requires a year for the culinary arts diploma and an additional six months for a patisserie (pastry) diploma. Other institutions offer two to three year courses.
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Where can I study to become a chef?
Various institutions offer hospitality courses that lead to cheffing careers:
• The International Hotel School;
• Capsicum Culinary Studio;
• HTA School of Culinary Arts;
• Prue Leith Culinary Institute;
• University of Pretoria;
• University of Mpumalanga;
• Tshwane University of Technology.
What high school subjects do I need?
These subjects are recommended:
• Hospitality studies;
• Physical science;
• Mathematics;
• Consumer studies.
What qualities does a chef need?
They must:
• be passionate about their job;
• a quick learner;
• have an eye for detail in everything they do;
• know how to multitask, or they’ll burn the pots;
• know how to work with people and have good communication skills;
• be a diligent timekeeper.
What challenges do chefs often confront?
• Working under pressure and long working hours. They must ensure they meet the customers’ expectations in everything they do.
• There’s often poor communication between colleagues, and some chefs who’ve worked in the establishment for a while will even bully other chefs.
What are the advantages of being a chef?
• There are many opportunities for entrepreneurship.
• Chefs can get international exposure. If they are truly passionate about their work, they will work twice as hard to explore more about the culinary arts and the hospitality industry as a whole.
Is experience as crucial as formal training?
Formal training is vital because it gives you the basics. However, experience teaches you the on-the-spot decisions and how to cope under pressure. The more experienced you are, the easier it becomes in this industry.
Where do chefs work?
Chefs can find employment in many places.
They can work for:
• hotel restaurants;
• in hospitals;
• on cruise ships;
• some chefs open food stalls for extra income while owning a business;
• grocery stores;
• specialty food stores;
• residential care facilities; and
• schools.
