Many people think that just because they can cook, they have what it takes to become a good chef. But being a chef, a good one for that matter, means having certain characteristics that the everyday cook does not have. If becoming a good chef is your goal, keep on reading to find out what these characteristics are.
Passion for Cooking
If cooking is your passion, then you are on the right track. A good chef is one that gets excited about making the best dish that will surely please the taste buds of every customer. Once you enter the kitchen, the food, the smells, the sounds and the sight of a busy kitchen should fire up your passion to make something truly appetizing.
Commitment
As a good chef, you should be committed to making great dishes for your customers. You should also be committed to the growth and success of the restaurant, as well as learning and expanding your knowledge of the culinary arts. Do whatever it takes within reason improve in all aspects of being a chef, and you will soon be one of the greats.
Creativity
You should have a strong drive to be creative. You must always be willing to try something new, unafraid to push the boundaries and take risks. You already know your ingredients, and you have all the technical skills and knowledge to make even the most elaborate of recipes. Try to constantly update the menu with new items or switch up the specials now and again. This will offer you a challenge and push you to think outside the box.
Ability to Multitask
To be a good chef, you need to have complete command of your kitchen. Not only do you have to concentrate on making the meals yourself, but you also have to make sure that everyone is doing their job, from the cooks to the waiters. The kitchen is filled with hundreds of small tasks that will need your attention, but your most important task should be to make your customers happy.
Leadership
Once you step into the kitchen, you become the leader. You have to communicate instructions to everyone very clearly, making sure that not only is everyone playing their part, but doing it with passion in order to benefit the customers. You can have all the culinary skills in the world, but if you can’t be an effective leader in the kitchen you can’t succeed and grow as a chef.
Accept Criticism
Criticism can be a tough pill to swallow for everyone. If taken the wrong way, it can be extremely demoralizing. You can be a good chef, but not everyone will be happy with every dish you make. It is just something you have to accept and look at it as an opportunity to learn and improve your skills even more.
If becoming a good chef is your goal, then the characteristics mentioned above are a must-have. CulinaryLab Cooking School in Orange County is a great option if you are in this area. It is as much an art as it is a science, and it is something that requires determination and hard work if you want to become really good (or even great). So grab one of your Chef Works’ aprons and fulfill your passion.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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