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Executive chef vs food service coordinator

The differences between executive chefs and food service coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an executive chef has an average salary of $59,416, which is higher than the $32,085 average annual salary of a food service coordinator.

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

Executive chef vs food service coordinator overview

Executive ChefFood Service Coordinator
Yearly salary$59,416$32,085
Hourly rate$28.57$15.43
Growth rate15%2%
Number of jobs83,08579,537
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4237
Years of experience6-

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 food service coordinator do?

Food service coordinators are responsible for organizing the food preparation for a considerable section of a huge operation such as the bakery, catering, and pantry section. They arrange, prepare, and synchronize the preparation of main entrees. Also, they coordinate and prepare all snacks and meals at a distinct facility as well as supervise the performance of food service specialists and student assistants in preparing food. Qualifications for the job include agility and physical strength to lift and reach kitchen materials and supplies as well as working in a hot environment while standing for a long period.

Executive chef vs food service coordinator salary

Executive chefs and food service coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Executive ChefFood Service Coordinator
Average salary$59,416$32,085
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $87,000Between $23,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASacramento, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiRhode Island
Best paying companyBridgewater AssociatesAshland MA Police
Best paying industryHospitalityMedia

Differences between executive chef and food service coordinator education

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

Executive ChefFood Service Coordinator
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsBusiness
Most common collegeDrexel University-

Executive chef vs food service coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between executive chefs' and food service coordinators' demographics:

Executive ChefFood Service Coordinator
Average age4237
Gender ratioMale, 87.5% Female, 12.5%Male, 35.1% Female, 64.9%
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, 11.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 7.5% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage9%6%

Differences between executive chef and food service coordinator 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.
  • Show more

Food service coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and coordinate the workload of the release team members and are responsible for organizing and hosting all production release windows.
  • Enhance and enrich HACCP knowledge and practices.
  • Record each meal recieve into the POS system.
  • Work with staff to provide culinary and nutritional teaching to club members.
  • Perform food samples and laboratory testing, and prepare corresponding reports following HACCP guidelines.
  • Monitor patients diets and patient satisfaction.
  • Show more

Executive chef vs food service coordinator skills

Common executive chef skills
  • Culinary, 14%
  • Food Preparation, 8%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Kitchen Operations, 6%
  • Food Safety, 5%
  • Food Service, 5%
Common food service coordinator skills
  • Food Preparation, 9%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Food Handling, 7%
  • Meal Preparation, 6%
  • Food Safety, 5%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 5%

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