What Is A Sous Chef? – Requirements And Responsibilities

Running the Kitchen

Most executive or head chef does not stick inside the restaurants every day, so they need someone to oversee the daily operation of the kitchen. Sous chefs should know every function of the kitchen, so they know what they have to check. A sous chef needs the ability to think on their feet to resolve any problems that will arise while the head chef is out.

Staff Hiring

One of the responsibilities a sous chef can take is hiring the staff. Running a restaurant is not easy, and you need as much help as you need to do it successfully. The head chef is busy with many things, and sometimes, he just doesn’t have the time to hire to do other tasks like hiring staff. One thing a sous chef can do is to do the hiring process. Interview possible applicants, do the tests necessary, and coordinate with the management for the hiring.

As the sous chef, you are already capable of determining the right criteria for hiring someone to be part of the kitchen crew. You still need to get the final approval of the head chef for the final decision, but at least the whole process is off his shoulder.

Staff Training

Training the staff is also a necessary job that a sous chef can do instead of the head chef. The sous chef needs to train the staff properly to do the tasks required to help the head chef. A sous chef should be confident that all of the restaurant staff can do their respective jobs because they know that the team is properly trained. Discipline is also part of training the staff. The sous chef also implements some disciplinary actions against anyone who fails to do their job.

Coordinating With Management

The sous chef can also coordinate with the management. Overseeing the restaurant’s day-to-day operations, you will know most of the needs of the staff, the equipment needed, the tools you need, ingredients to buy like pasta or condiments for cooking, and all other stuff you need to coordinate with the management. This can also be part of your job since this will make the head chef’s life easier.

Kitchen Skills

Kitchen skills are necessary for being a sous chef since you are still a chef, after all. Doing your job requires you to know everything that is happening in the kitchen. You cannot oversee the daily operation of the kitchen if you don’t know what you are looking at. You also cannot train the staff if you don’t know what to teach them.

Since sous chefs are the last step before being a head chef, you must have wide knowledge about the kitchen and vast experience in the restaurant industry. Having great kitchen skills definitely helps in becoming a sous chef.

People Skills

In this job, you are dealing with a lot of types of people. You need to be able to deal with all of them because you will have a hard time doing your job if you cannot deal with them. Some of the people you have to deal with are the head chef, the management, your staff, and the customers.

The head chef can request some things from you, and since he is your boss, you have to deal with his work-related requests. Work politics cannot be avoided, especially when dealing with management. Requesting new equipment like new coffee machines can be difficult if you don’t get along well with your bosses. The staff needs to have a good relationship with you so you can deal with them properly. Treat them fairly even during punishments, so they know that you are just doing your job of disciplining them. Lastly, you have to deal with customers properly to avoid bad images for the restaurant.