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Executive chef vs banquet chef

The differences between executive chefs and banquet chefs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an executive chef and a banquet chef. Additionally, an executive chef has an average salary of $59,416, which is higher than the $48,026 average annual salary of a banquet chef.

The top three skills for an executive chef include culinary, food preparation and customer service. The most important skills for a banquet chef are culinary, food preparation, and quality standards.

Executive chef vs banquet chef overview

Executive ChefBanquet Chef
Yearly salary$59,416$48,026
Hourly rate$28.57$23.09
Growth rate15%15%
Number of jobs83,08523,474
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 56%Associate Degree, 59%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

What does an executive chef do?

Executive chefs are considered the lead chefs in a restaurant. They manage the restaurant's kitchen, including all other chefs employed by the restaurant. Executive chefs are in charge of creating menu items and ensuring that the restaurant's menu is in line with the restaurant's identity. They handle the management of the pantry and ensure that it is well-stocked. They also ensure that all kitchen equipment and fixtures are working well. Executive chefs are responsible for training new chefs on the job to ensure consistent food quality.

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.

Executive chef vs banquet chef salary

Executive chefs and banquet chefs have different pay scales, as shown below.

Executive ChefBanquet Chef
Average salary$59,416$48,026
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $87,000Between $28,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateHawaiiNew Jersey
Best paying companyBridgewater AssociatesJ.F. Shea Co
Best paying industryHospitalityHospitality

Differences between executive chef and banquet chef education

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

Executive ChefBanquet Chef
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 56%Associate Degree, 59%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common collegeDrexel UniversityCornell University

Executive chef vs banquet chef demographics

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

Executive ChefBanquet Chef
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 87.5% Female, 12.5%Male, 84.9% Female, 15.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.8% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between executive chef and banquet chef duties and responsibilities

Executive chef example responsibilities.

  • Manage a kitchen of military personal and Japanese civilian chefs.
  • Cater off-premise events, parties, holiday dinners and seasonal BBQ cookouts.
  • Own and operate a full charge BBQ catering business from a 30 foot mobile kitchen.
  • Close high percentage of sales opportunities for large builder and designer accounts with strategic VIP events.
  • Supervise high volume and VIP catering events to include black tie, charity and outdoor events.
  • Create systems to control BOH operations including: purchasing, receiving, storage, inventory & food cost tracking.
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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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Executive chef vs banquet chef skills

Common executive chef skills
  • Culinary, 14%
  • Food Preparation, 8%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Kitchen Operations, 6%
  • Food Safety, 5%
  • Food Service, 5%
Common banquet chef skills
  • Culinary, 14%
  • Food Preparation, 8%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Banquet Kitchen, 6%
  • Food Quality, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 4%

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