Page 5 - My FlipBook

clubs, cruise ships, resorts, and even hospitals. Some work as
personal chefs for private individuals.
Chefs perform a wide variety of tasks and have much re-
sponsibility. Those who work for restaurants are charged with
overseeing the kitchen, including everything that goes on in
there and all the food that leaves it. Their specific duties vary
based on the size of the establishment, but certain tasks are
typical for most chefs. They plan menus, develop recipes, and
ensure that food and ingredients are well stocked and fresh.
They determine how food should be presented to patrons and
ensure that it happens correctly and in a timely manner. Clean-
liness and sanitation are vital for all food service establish-
ments, and chefs monitor these practices carefully. They also
hire, train, and supervise the work of everyone in the kitchen,
from food preparation workers to cooks and sometimes other
chefs.
While chefs are working, they use a variety of kitchen tools
and equipment, including an assortment of knives. One is a
chef’s knife, which has a curved blade for fast cutting and chop-
ping and a small tip for fi ner work. Chefs prize their knives and
understand the importance of taking exceptional care of them
by keeping them clean and sharpened using special stones.
They also use many types and sizes of pots and pans as well as
small kitchen gadgets such as spatulas, scrapers, and peelers.
Appliances used by chefs include ranges, ovens, grills, griddles,
fryers, and walk-in coolers and freezers.
Although no two days are necessarily identical, chefs often
follow a routine and know (for the most part) what to expect from
day to day. This is true of Chantelle Nicholson, who is the head
chef and co-owner of a fi ne-dining restaurant in London called
Tredwells. Nicholson usually works six days a week, and she ar-
rives at the restaurant by 8:00 a.m. She greets her staff of twelve
chefs, reviews the day’s bookings, and then begins to sharpen
knives and work on food preparation. Around midmorning, she
makes breakfast for her team. This is usually bacon sandwiches
or a Swiss cereal known as muesli, which is made with rolled
oats, nuts, and fruit.

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