Heat Up Your Culinary Career with Employment as a Line Cook ?

Answer 1

Those dining in restaurants often imagine their meals being prepared from start to finish by a chef. In reality, restaurants and other commercial kitchens operate a bit like an orchestra. Line cooks focus on one aspect of food preparation the way a musician plays a single instrument, and a sous chef or chef acts as the conductor. Employment as a line cook is an entry-level opportunity for those seeking culinary careers, and a way to gain valuable experience working under a trained chef.

Line cooks work various stations in the kitchen as assigned by their supervisor, who is usually a sous chef. Depending on their assignment, they may grill, broil, fry or bake food items. In addition, line cooks set up and stock their stations and clean and sanitize the kitchen. They may also prepare plates and clean and organize storage areas. In some establishments, line cooks consistently work the same station, while in others their positions are rotated.

Obviously, restaurants are a prime source of employment for line cooks. Resorts, hotels, retirement communities, college and university dining facilities, cruise ships and hospital cafeterias also seek line cooks. While shifts vary, many line cook positions require evening, weekend and holiday work.

Line cook positions require basic cooking skills and the ability to use a variety of food service equipment such as knives, food processors, ovens, and grills. Line cooks must also demonstrate knowledge of sanitary food handling procedures and have the ability to carefully follow recipes and portion guidelines. While the experience required to be hired as a line cook varies for different establishments, a food service background is helpful for those seeking employment opportunities. Fine dining establishments tend to require more experience than other types of food service operations.

Starting salaries for line cooks range from $18,000-30,000 annually. Average yearly earnings in the field are in the low twenties, although line cooks with several years of experience can earn salaries ranging from $30,000 to $39,000. Gaining experience working under experienced chefs and earning a culinary degree can help a line cook advance to a sous chef position.