A sous chef assists the executive chef or the chef de cuisine in supervising food production for all locations and events. Some basic duties of a sous chef include but are definitely not limited to the following:

• food preparation
• food production
• supervising personnel
• quality control
• budget management

They also assist the executive chef with inventories, pricing, supplies, safety, menu planning and sanitation issues that arise in the restaurant business.

School or no?

It is advisable that you earn a degree from a culinary arts school and work up to becoming a sous chef. This gives you more knowledge, better preparation and a little more clout with your employer. It is also an incredible way to make some contacts in the business and possibly work under them as an assistant (which is priceless in the experiences it will give you).

Some skills that are needed for the cooking industry in general include: knowledge of supplies and equipment, knowledge of soups and sauces to be prepared, the ability to lead and train others, the ability to follow instructions and very specific procedures, knowledge of culinary facilities and safety guidelines, knowledge of food preparation and also the overall structure and work flow of a kitchen.

A typical day in the life of a sous chef

Life in the kitchen is hectic, and not just sometimes. Hectic all the time. It's hot, it's crowded and there are things going on at all times. The dinner rush begins before the people even arrive due to preparation of some basics like soups and sauces and other things that can be prepped ahead of time. You have to be flexible and able to think on your feet. Creativity is something that can make you or break you in this business. The more creative your food solutions are, the better off you will be and the more impressed your customers will be.

Odds and ends of the job

Working in a kitchen involves exposure to some unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, dirt, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors and very loud noise. There is moderate physical activity required. At the very least you should be able to lift 25 pounds and be fit enough to stand and/or walk for most of your work day.