Cook vs Chef: Difference and Comparison

A cook and a chef both work in the kitchen and often wear chef coats to their job. Although a chef and a cook may look similar to you, their role in a professional kitchen is quite different.

Cooks and chefs work closely to prepare the best dishes. However, one of these positions describes a skilled tradesperson, whereas the other is a leader in charge of a team.

In the culinary world, a chef works closely with a team of people in a professional kitchen. Professional chefs are in charge of the working process to get dishes prepared.

While a chef will work with a team of people in the kitchen, a cook usually works alone in the cooking process.

Stay with us as we discuss the difference between a cook vs a chef.

Who Is a Cook?

A cook is a food service employee with the skills to prepare and make food. Cooks can work in restaurants, fast food franchises, or anywhere their services are required.

Professional cooks follow someone else’s recipes or meal plans. They work with chefs in a professional kitchen to prepare delightful dishes.

Generally, there are different types of cooks with different responsibilities. There is a line cook and a prep cook.

The prep cook takes up the supporting work such as concocting sauces or dressings, chopping vegetables, and pre-portioning cuts of proteins. Line cooks are involved in cooking, plating, and completing dishes for service.

In addition, professional cooks are sometimes described by their workstations- for instance, a fry cook is in charge of running the fryer to ensure hot, fresh French fries and other snacks are served.

A grill cook prepares grilled items such as burgers, chicken, steaks, and vegetables. Check out this article on the difference between broiling vs grilling.

Also Read: Cooking vs Baking: Difference and Comparison

What Is a Chef?

A professional chef is a skilled, experienced, and culinary expert who works in a professional kitchen. Professional chefs are known to make their own recipes and can prepare dishes for their clients.

Chefs work closely with a team of people in the kitchen. They are in charge, as their position in the culinary world is more of a managerial role.

Chefs give the directives in the kitchen and the team will follow the instructions to get dishes ready.

Professional chefs have a higher level of responsibility compared to cooks. They occupy a position that requires problem-solving skills.

Professional chefs also work with business owners and managers to help determine the culture and customer experience of the restaurant.

Cook vs Chef: Difference between a Cook and a Chef

The main difference between a cook and a chef I the level of responsibility for their position.

Cooks and chefs both work in the kitchen but a chef takes more of a managerial role. Cooks are assigned to complete a specific task given to them, which is mainly to deliver a chef’s recipe.

They are trusted to execute the menu based on the basic skills that got them in the kitchen in the first place. Their job can include culinary tasks such as concocting sauces or dressings, chopping vegetables, and pre-portioning cuts of proteins.

Chefs are in charge of the working process, as they occupy more of a managerial role. They work closely with a team to prepare dishes cooked with their special recipe.

Professional chefs are responsible for the dished that comes out of the kitchen.

The executive chef is the leader in charge of the kitchen. It’s a position for a chef who has control over the menu and direction of the restaurant’s culinary program.

Some restaurant kitchens have a sous chef or a chef de cuisine. A chef de cuisine can handle the day-to-day operations in the kitchen and a sous chef can serve as the executive chef.

Also, there could be a:

Pastry chef- a chef who creates the desserts and can also manage a small team of pastry cooks.
Commis chef- an apprentice who will spend much time in the kitchen chopping, dicing, and slicing to help prepare food to be cooked.
Garde Manger- a chef who is in charge of the restaurant’s cold dishes such as salads, terrines, etc.

Also Read: Baking vs Roasting: Difference and Comparison

Cook vs Chef: Culinary School and Education

Another key difference between a cook and a chef is their level and education.

The training and education involved in these professions can be the major factor for those who are passionate about showing their leadership skills and those who enjoy cooking for fun.

Cook’s Education

For the position of a cook, there is no requirement for a degree or a training program.

The position for a cook can be entry-level with no specific training required. A cook can be trained to follow a chef’s recipe based on the place of employment and types of food they need to prepare.

Cooks do not create recipes or draft new menus. They are only tasked to follow a recipe created by chefs.

Chef’s Education

A professional chef is educated and usually has a culinary degree.

They are in charge of the kitchen and create the recipe for the cooks to prepare the meal. The position of chefs is demanding, so they undergo extensive kitchen training in apprenticeship to acquire hands-on experience from an expert with practical experience.

The learning process inculcates the ins and outs of the kitchen and it makes professional chefs valuable assets to restaurants.

Also Read: Baking vs Broiling: Difference and Comparison

Cook vs Chef: Difference in Experience

To become a professional chef requires a certain level of experience, education and training, as well as the right kind of personality.

The job of a chef involves working with a team of people and not just creating a recipe or drafting new menus.

Firstly, leadership skill is needed to work with an entire kitchen staff. Chefs need to possess excellent work ethics as well as a persevering character.

Professional chefs should be able to lead the working process in the kitchen, guiding everyone involved to prepare delightful dishes.

Cooking is a skill and also a hobby for most people. Cooks are assigned to complete culinary tasks and follow a chef’s recipe. They can also learn from a chef and go on to become one someday.

Cook vs Chef: Kitchen Hierarchy

Cooks belong to the entry-level positions on the kitchen hierarchy.

The position of a cook can vary based on the place of employment and the type of food served. Their job may include cooking, following a chef’s recipe or taking orders from a supervisor.

Cooks in a professional kitchen can give orders and advice to other individuals working on the service floor- like bussing employees and servers.

Chefs are in a more managerial role at the top of the kitchen hierarchy. An executive chef is a recognized leader in the kitchen. The executive chef is only answerable to the establishment owner or manager.

They work with the entire staff in the kitchen and may give direct orders to anyone working in the kitchen. In the absence of the executive chef, a sous chef can take control of the kitchen and may also report to the executive chef.

Also Read: Olive Oil vs Butter: Difference and Comparison

Cook vs Chef: Salaries

Cooks are paid for their services based on their level of experience. Location is a major factor to consider but employers will also evaluate a cook’s background.

According to Culinarylabschool.com, the average annual salary of a line cook is $39,429, while a prep cook earns about $28,878.

For chefs, it all comes down to their position in the kitchen hierarchy.

Sous chefs earn an average annual salary of $33,446
Head chefs earn an average annual salary of $35,588
Personal chef earns an average annual salary of $57,636
Executive chef earns an average annual salary of $59,342

Conclusion