| Here are some traits, requirements and | | | | known as, “Mise en place” in the culinary |
| characteristics a successful chef should posses. | | | | language. When translated from French, literally |
| 1 ENDURANCE | | | | means “setting in place.” So before |
| Endurance is having the strength combined with | | | | actually cooking begins, the chef will prepare all |
| power to stick it out when times get rough. So, | | | | necessary ingredients and cookware. This includes |
| does this sound like you? Do you have what it | | | | measuring ingredients and placing them into bowls, |
| takes? | | | | cooking equipment, ovens preheated and so on. |
| A chef career is not like any other job that you | | | | Once cooking begins, you will realize the |
| may be used to. It’s completely opposite | | | | importance of preparation, making the cooking |
| from the typical office where you sit at a desk in | | | | process much easier. |
| front of a computer playing solitaire, shopping | | | | 3 PATIENCE |
| online and Instant Messaging every living person | | | | Having a chef career, you will need to have |
| you know•I would know! Of course, every job | | | | patience. |
| reaches its point where things get stressful and | | | | Things will not go your way in the beginning. |
| busy, but nothing will compare to the environment | | | | There is a chance that you may not reach the |
| of a restaurant. | | | | level that you originally set out to reach. But that |
| You must learn how to do things on the job fast, | | | | is the reality of the profession. Not every chef |
| correctly and with a smile on your face. Working | | | | gets to the top and star on Food Network. This |
| weekends and holidays is a must and you will get | | | | doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try and |
| filthy and sweaty in the process. Your feet and | | | | become a chef. Strive to be the best chef you |
| back will hurt. You will get burned, bruised and cut. | | | | can and your chef career will follow. |
| You will want a break to sit, you will only get | | | | Don’t let things on the job discourage you or |
| about 20 seconds to do so. | | | | keep you from continuing your goal of having a |
| Busy days at restaurants will take its toll on your | | | | chef career. Things may not always go to plan; |
| mind and body, so this is why it is extremely | | | | your work won’t always get noticed, you |
| important to prepare yourself. Like training or | | | | may not get that raise you were hoping for, your |
| anything, you have to spend hours preparing | | | | co-workers may dislike… it’s all just normal |
| yourself mentally and physically for the big show. | | | | situations that every professional career has. |
| If you haven’t already been incorporating a | | | | Before you know it, time will pass, things will get |
| healthy living, eating and exercise style into your | | | | better and then you will be on the right path for |
| life, I suggest you start TODAY! | | | | starting your chef career. |
| 2 SPEED & ACCURACY | | | | 4 SKILLS & TECHNIQUES |
| The bottom line to having a successful restaurant | | | | There is zero reason to wait until getting |
| or chef career is pleasing the customer. And | | | | accepted into a culinary school, or a first job, |
| nothing pleases a customer more than a delicious | | | | before you start your chef career. There is an |
| meal! It’s all about speed and accuracy. People | | | | array of cooking books, articles, TV shows, |
| don’t want to wait for their dinner to come | | | | videos•you name it that can help aspiring chefs |
| out, so a chef must work fast AND be accurate. | | | | launch their chef career. So turn on the Food |
| If things are not done correctly, you will inevitable | | | | Network and sit, listen, watch and learn. Practice |
| receive complaints from customers and that will | | | | with your own kitchen, learn and use different |
| be the end of your chef career. Even though, you | | | | tools, equipment and ingredients a chef would use. |
| can’t please everyone, too many complaints | | | | The more you learn now, the more experience |
| will ultimately result in hurting your chef career. | | | | and education you will have, and the easier it will |
| So how does a chef making things run smoothly? | | | | be to learn in a school. |
| Intelligent preparation is the answer, otherwise | | | | |