Chefs are responsible for preparing meals at restaurants and hotels. They prepare, season, decorate and present dishes in the best possible ways in order to meet client´s requirements. These professionals also monitor and administer the food prepared in the kitchen by staff members. They specialized in specific food preparations such as pastries, desserts, salads, among other dishes.

Chefs usually perform many of the following tasks:
• Organizing daily activities.
• Checking safety standards.
• Preparing meals.
• Conducting training programs.
• Monitoring performance of other workers.

• Having good organization skills.
• Being creative.
• Having good communication skills.
• Being able to work under pressure.
• Having sensitive palate.
• Being proactive and self-motivated.
• Being able to work with a team.
• Having knowledge about ingredients and their combinations.
• Being able to motivate others.
• Having deep interest in food matters.

Persons who want to be Chefs need to complete a professional course such as a one-year diploma, vocational courses, or a four-year degree. The Culinary Institute of America offer training schemes and formal education for candidates who want to work in this business. Subjects about this area include topics like food cost control, storage, menu planning, cooking theory, purchasing and sanitation, and public health laws. Some employers hire candidates who have a cooking diploma, but there are other cases where they just require applicants having a high school graduate. An important point is that candidates also have relevant work experience in restaurants or hotels.

There are institutions that offer certifications for professionals working in this business, such as The American Culinary Federation. These programs require candidates having previous experience and formal chef training. This certification proves competence of people working on this area, but it is not a mandatory requirement.