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Banquet chef vs assistant chef

The differences between banquet chefs and assistant chefs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a banquet chef and an assistant chef. Additionally, a banquet chef has an average salary of $48,026, which is higher than the $37,670 average annual salary of an assistant chef.

The top three skills for a banquet chef include culinary, food preparation and quality standards. The most important skills for an assistant chef are kitchen equipment, safety standards, and culinary.

Banquet chef vs assistant chef overview

Banquet ChefAssistant Chef
Yearly salary$48,026$37,670
Hourly rate$23.09$18.11
Growth rate15%15%
Number of jobs23,47418,054
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 59%Associate Degree, 32%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

What does a banquet chef do?

Banquet Chefs are responsible for preparation, planning, and kitchen management as a culinary expert. They work in hotels, resorts, clubs, and other facilities.

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.

Banquet chef vs assistant chef salary

Banquet chefs and assistant chefs have different pay scales, as shown below.

Banquet ChefAssistant Chef
Average salary$48,026$37,670
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $80,000Between $22,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCAtlantic City, NJ
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew Jersey
Best paying companyJ.F. Shea CoNcar - The National Center For Atmospheric Research
Best paying industryHospitalityHospitality

Differences between banquet chef and assistant chef education

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

Banquet ChefAssistant Chef
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 59%Associate Degree, 32%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common collegeCornell UniversityStanford University

Banquet chef vs assistant chef demographics

Here are the differences between banquet chefs' and assistant chefs' demographics:

Banquet ChefAssistant Chef
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 84.9% Female, 15.1%Male, 71.4% Female, 28.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between banquet chef and assistant chef duties and responsibilities

Banquet chef example responsibilities.

  • Manage cold kitchen production for a luxury hotel with a Michelin star restaurant
  • Design and execute stunning, delicious, but simplistic breakfast and lunch buffets in meeting rooms.
  • Design and prepare decorated foods and arrangements for buffets.
  • Maintain an excellent level of professionalism and cleanliness to meet state and company regulations.
  • Contribute vision and creativity developing and directing culinary operations supporting a wide range of art shows and gallery events.
  • Direct a high-performing team of culinary associates in ensuring the seamless delivery of all production activities for upcoming functions.
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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.
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Banquet chef vs assistant chef skills

Common banquet chef skills
  • Culinary, 14%
  • Food Preparation, 8%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Banquet Kitchen, 6%
  • Food Quality, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 4%
Common assistant chef skills
  • Kitchen Equipment, 14%
  • Safety Standards, 13%
  • Culinary, 12%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Compassion, 7%
  • Kitchen Sanitation, 6%

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