Post job

Certified executive chef vs head cook

The differences between certified executive chefs and head cooks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a certified executive chef and a head cook. Additionally, a certified executive chef has an average salary of $45,924, which is higher than the $44,412 average annual salary of a head cook.

The top three skills for a certified executive chef include menu development, safety regulations and fine dining. The most important skills for a head cook are kitchen equipment, meal preparation, and food service.

Certified executive chef vs head cook overview

Certified Executive ChefHead Cook
Yearly salary$45,924$44,412
Hourly rate$22.08$21.35
Growth rate15%15%
Number of jobs112,726156,227
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

Certified executive chef vs head cook salary

Certified executive chefs and head cooks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Certified Executive ChefHead Cook
Average salary$45,924$44,412
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $70,000Between $32,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City-San Antonio, TX
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between certified executive chef and head cook education

There are a few differences between a certified executive chef and a head cook in terms of educational background:

Certified Executive ChefHead Cook
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Certified executive chef vs head cook demographics

Here are the differences between certified executive chefs' and head cooks' demographics:

Certified Executive ChefHead Cook
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 77.4% Female, 22.6%Male, 63.5% Female, 36.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 12.4% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 10.3% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between certified executive chef and head cook duties and responsibilities

Certified executive chef example responsibilities.

  • Integrate key culinary leaders into casino and food and beverage operations, achieving positive results and industry awards.
  • Create and prepare international cuisine for executive clientele by using ingenuity, organization, efficiency in production and attention to detail
  • Specialize in Italian, Mediterranean and French/Classical bistro establishments.

Head cook example responsibilities.

  • Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
  • Accommodate all campers and staff with dietary restrictions, food allergies as well as providing vegetarian and vegan options.
  • Follow all equipment and safety procedures in all operations including slicers, choppers, mixers and other meal processing equipment.
  • Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
  • Scramble eggs, sausage, potatoes, biscits and gravy.
  • Create and execute menus for the buffets.
  • Show more

Certified executive chef vs head cook skills

Common certified executive chef skills
  • Menu Development, 31%
  • Safety Regulations, 26%
  • Fine Dining, 13%
  • Storage Facilities, 12%
  • Labor Costs, 10%
  • HACCP, 8%
Common head cook skills
  • Kitchen Equipment, 41%
  • Meal Preparation, 15%
  • Food Service, 7%
  • Food Preparation, 3%
  • Quality Standards, 3%
  • Safety Standards, 2%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs