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Banquet chef vs prep chef

The differences between banquet chefs and prep 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 a prep chef. Additionally, a banquet chef has an average salary of $48,026, which is higher than the $25,941 average annual salary of a prep chef.

The top three skills for a banquet chef include culinary, food preparation and quality standards. The most important skills for a prep chef are kitchen equipment, dishes, and cleanliness.

Banquet chef vs prep chef overview

Banquet ChefPrep Chef
Yearly salary$48,026$25,941
Hourly rate$23.09$12.47
Growth rate15%15%
Number of jobs23,47452,624
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 59%High School Diploma, 31%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

Banquet chef vs prep chef salary

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

Banquet ChefPrep Chef
Average salary$48,026$25,941
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $80,000Between $17,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DC-
Highest paying stateNew Jersey-
Best paying companyJ.F. Shea Co-
Best paying industryHospitality-

Differences between banquet chef and prep chef education

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

Banquet ChefPrep Chef
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 59%High School Diploma, 31%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common collegeCornell UniversityDrexel University

Banquet chef vs prep chef demographics

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

Banquet ChefPrep Chef
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 84.9% Female, 15.1%Male, 67.1% Female, 32.9%
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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 10.2% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between banquet chef and prep 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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Prep chef example responsibilities.

  • Manage a kitchen of military personal and Japanese civilian chefs.
  • Work using fryers, boilers, grill, ovens, steamers, mixers.
  • Instruct new employees in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, and presentation of food.
  • Maintain highest level of cleanliness and sanitation.
  • Maintain cleanliness of station, ensuring sanitary conditions.
  • Create and prepare international cuisine for executive clientele by using ingenuity, organization, efficiency in production and attention to detail
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Banquet chef vs prep chef skills

Common banquet chef skills
  • Culinary, 14%
  • Food Preparation, 8%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Banquet Kitchen, 6%
  • Food Quality, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 4%
Common prep chef skills
  • Kitchen Equipment, 33%
  • Dishes, 30%
  • Cleanliness, 18%
  • Food Service, 10%
  • Dinner Service, 2%
  • Prep List, 1%

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