Post job

Assistant chef vs chef manager

The differences between assistant chefs and chef managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an assistant chef and a chef manager. Additionally, a chef manager has an average salary of $53,470, which is higher than the $37,670 average annual salary of an assistant chef.

The top three skills for an assistant chef include kitchen equipment, safety standards and culinary. The most important skills for a chef manager are culinary, fine dining, and customer service.

Assistant chef vs chef manager overview

Assistant ChefChef Manager
Yearly salary$37,670$53,470
Hourly rate$18.11$25.71
Growth rate15%15%
Number of jobs18,05422,346
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Associate Degree, 49%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

What does an assistant chef do?

It is the responsibility of an assistant chef to support the head chef of a catering business, restaurant, cafeteria, or bakery. Assistant chefs manage inventory and ensure compliance with food safety and kitchen cleanliness standards. They assist kitchen staff in the preparation of food. To get this job, one must be trained in a culinary school, have the needed cooking skills, and must have kitchen work experience. Strong teamwork ability and flexibility to work schedule are necessary for this job.

What does a chef manager do?

The primary role of a Chef Manager is to supervise food preparation. They may work in varies settings, such as restaurants, schools, and hospitals.

Assistant chef vs chef manager salary

Assistant chefs and chef managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant ChefChef Manager
Average salary$37,670$53,470
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $63,000Between $36,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CityAtlantic City, NJCherry Hill, NJ
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew Jersey
Best paying companyNcar - The National Center For Atmospheric ResearchAlameda Health System
Best paying industryHospitalityProfessional

Differences between assistant chef and chef manager education

There are a few differences between an assistant chef and a chef manager in terms of educational background:

Assistant ChefChef Manager
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Associate Degree, 49%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common collegeStanford UniversityBoston University

Assistant chef vs chef manager demographics

Here are the differences between assistant chefs' and chef managers' demographics:

Assistant ChefChef Manager
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 71.4% Female, 28.6%Male, 77.5% Female, 22.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 11.0% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between assistant chef and chef manager duties and responsibilities

Assistant chef example responsibilities.

  • Direct daily activity of staff (prep cook, dishwashers and wait staff), and receive and manage inventory.
  • Manage food inventory and assist chefs with menu development.
  • Attain a broad knowledge of ingredient functionality in diverse culinary applications and comfort in a culinary setting.
  • Learned the cuisine and intricacies of Tuscan style cooking as well as the influences from other regions.
  • Prep vegetables and meat for chefs, wash and dry dishes, cups, and utensils, and stock new shipments.
  • Maintain cleanliness and ensure proper preparation of orders.
  • Show more

Chef manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage day to day operation and supervise the staff FOH & BOH.
  • Manage the daily activities and schedules of the other cooks, dishwashers, and prep support.
  • Manage kitchen staff, delegates responsibilities, place groceries order, prepare menus and prepare food base on recipes.
  • Supervise and train all.associates in food preparation, HACCP in-service training and sanitation and safety procedures.
  • Maintain FIFO, daily account of labor vs sales.
  • Receive orders/check invoices, rotate according to FIFO and organize walk in/freezer.
  • Show more

Assistant chef vs chef manager skills

Common assistant chef skills
  • Kitchen Equipment, 14%
  • Safety Standards, 13%
  • Culinary, 12%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Compassion, 7%
  • Kitchen Sanitation, 6%
Common chef manager skills
  • Culinary, 19%
  • Fine Dining, 14%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • ServSafe, 8%
  • Quality Standards, 8%
  • HACCP, 6%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs