September 4, 2010

There are so many things that happen in a kitchen that you would be amazed at how things come together. There are so many different areas in a kitchen that when every station is working up to speed and everyone is communicating well then you have a perfectly run kitchen. One important job in the kitchen is the Prep Cook. It sounds easy like all they do is cut up food and get it ready for the chefs but there is more to it than that. You need to have these qualifications to become a Prep Cook:

1. You have to have the ability to read and make adjustments in recipes with knowledge of weights, measures and menus.
2. You must have the ability to work in a situation where you have a close team with constant deadlines. Basically you have to work well under pressure.
3. You have to be able to accept feedback and criticism and ask for help when needed.
4. You have to have a High School Degree with a year of post graduate work or experience in kitchen work.
5. Cooking experience

Now that you have these qualifications here is what you will be responsible for:

You will be responsible for meal preparation which includes washing, peeling, preparing salads, breads and condiments

You will prepare or help with soups, side dishes and baked goods.

In meal service you will help the wait staff bring the food out to the tables

Store leftover food from the kitchen at the end of the night

Organize clean up of the kitchen

Set tables prior to meal service.

You will responsible for kitchen maintenance

Plus a whole lot more

You will also have to have the abilities to lift heavy boxes when the delivery trucks arrive. You also have to have the ability to examine food and know whether it is up to restaurant standards. You will also have to know how to work everything in the kitchen. Plus have the stamina to work extremely hard for 8 to 10 hours a day. A kitchen restaurant is not a cake walk and anyone who has seen Hell’s Kitchen will attest to that. So unless you are thick skinned and can take anything your boss has to dish out this is not the line of work for you. You have to understand it is a job and nothing personal. Then you have a good chance of succeeding.