Become A Lead Cook
Where do you want to work?
Working As A Lead Cook
- Training and Teaching Others
- Thinking Creatively
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Coaching and Developing Others
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Deal with People
Unpleasant/Angry People
Outdoors/walking/standing
Repetitive
Make Decisions
Stressful
$41,500
Average Salary
What Does A Lead Cook Do
How To Become A Lead Cook
Most chefs and head cooks learn their skills through work experience. Others receive training at a community college, technical school, culinary arts school, or 4-year college. A small number learn through apprenticeship programs or in the Armed Forces.
EducationAlthough postsecondary education is not required for chefs and head cooks, many attend programs at community colleges, technical schools, culinary arts schools, and 4-year colleges. Candidates are typically required to have a high school diploma or equivalent to enter these programs.
Students in culinary programs spend most of their time in kitchens, practicing their cooking skills. Programs cover all aspects of kitchen work, including menu planning, food sanitation procedures, and purchasing and inventory methods. Most training programs also require students to gain experience in a commercial kitchen through an internship or apprenticeship program.
Work Experience in a Related OccupationMost chefs and head cooks start working in other positions, such as line cooks, learning cooking skills from the chefs they work for. Many spend years working in kitchens before gaining enough experience to be promoted to chef or head cook positions.
TrainingSome chefs and head cooks train on the job, where they learn the same skills as in a formal education program. Some train in mentorship programs, where they work under the direction of an experienced chef. Executive chefs, head cooks, and sous chefs who work in upscale restaurants often have many years of training and experience.
Some chefs and head cooks learn through apprenticeship programs sponsored by professional culinary institutes, industry associations, or trade unions in coordination with the U.S. Department of Labor. Apprenticeship programs generally last 2 years and combine instructions and on-the-job training. Apprentices must complete at least 1,000 hours of both instructions and paid on-the-job training. Courses typically cover food sanitation and safety, basic knife skills, and equipment operation. Apprentices spend the rest of their training learning practical skills in a commercial kitchen under a chef's supervision.
The American Culinary Federation accredits more than 200 academic training programs at postsecondary schools and sponsors apprenticeships around the country. The basic qualifications required for entering an apprenticeship program are as follows:
- Minimum age of 17
- High school education or equivalent
- Passing grade in substance abuse screening
Some chefs and head cooks receive formal training in the Armed Forces or from individual hotel or restaurant chains.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsAlthough not required, certification can show competence and lead to advancement and higher pay. The American Culinary Federation certifies personal chefs, in addition to various levels of chefs, such as certified sous chefs or certified executive chefs. Certification standards are based primarily on work-related experience and formal training. Minimum work experience for certification can range from 6 months to 5 years, depending on the level of certification.
Important QualitiesBusiness skills. Executive chefs and chefs who run their own restaurant need to understand the restaurant business. They should know how to budget for supplies, set prices, and manage workers so that the restaurant is profitable.
Communication skills. Chefs must communicate their instructions clearly and effectively to staff so that customers’ orders are prepared correctly.
Creativity. Chefs and head cooks need to be creative in order to develop and prepare interesting and innovative recipes. They should be able to use various ingredients to create appealing meals for their customers.
Dexterity. Chefs and head cooks need excellent manual dexterity, including proper knife techniques for cutting, chopping, and dicing.
Leadership skills. Chefs and head cooks must have the ability to motivate kitchen staff and develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with them.
Physical stamina. Chefs and head cooks often work long shifts and sometimes spend entire evenings on their feet, overseeing the preparation and serving of meals.
Sense of taste and smell. Chefs and head cooks must have a keen sense of taste and smell in order to inspect food quality and to design meals that their customers enjoy.
Time-management skills. Chefs and head cooks must efficiently manage their time and the time of their staff. They ensure that meals are prepared correctly and that customers are served on time, especially during busy hours.
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Lead Cook jobs
Lead Cook Career Paths
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First Cook 3.8 years
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Cook And Assistant Manager 3.7 years
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Cook Manager 3.7 years
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Chef Manager 3.6 years
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Kitchen Manager/Cook 3.3 years
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Cook Supervisor 3.3 years
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Chef/Kitchen Manager 3.2 years
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Kitchen Manager 3.1 years
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Head Chef 3.0 years
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Head Cook 3.0 years
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Lead Cook 3.0 years
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Cooking Chef 2.9 years
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Sous Chef 2.9 years
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Cook/Baker 2.8 years
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Cook/Trainer 2.8 years
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Kitchen Supervisor 2.6 years
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Chef 2.5 years
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Lead Line Cook 2.3 years
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Kitchen Lead 2.3 years
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Dietary Cook 2.3 years
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Assistant Cook 2.0 years
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Line Cook 2.0 years
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Line Chef 1.9 years
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Cook 1.9 years
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Assistant Chef 1.9 years
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Line Cook, Prep Cook 1.8 years
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Breakfast Cook 1.8 years
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Cook 20.4%
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Line Cook 16.7%
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Sous Chef 8.2%
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Prep Cook 5.9%
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Kitchen Manager 5.8%
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Chef 5.5%
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Assistant Manager 4.9%
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Cashier 3.9%
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Manager 3.4%
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Sales Associate 2.7%
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Executive Chef 2.5%
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Grill Cook 2.5%
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Internship 2.3%
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Line Cook, Prep Cook 2.3%
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Head Cook 2.3%
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Supervisor 2.2%
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Server 1.9%
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Shift Leader 1.9%
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Cook 17.2%
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Sous Chef 13.6%
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Line Cook 10.2%
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Executive Chef 8.2%
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Chef 8.1%
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Kitchen Manager 7.0%
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Assistant Manager 3.8%
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Prep Cook 3.4%
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Cashier 2.8%
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Kitchen Supervisor 2.8%
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Manager 2.8%
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General Manager 2.8%
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Supervisor 2.5%
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Sales Associate 2.2%
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Chef Manager 2.0%
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Lead Line Cook 2.0%
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Chef De Cuisine 2.0%
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Head Chef 1.9%
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Grill Cook 1.9%
Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Lead Cook
Top Careers After Lead Cook
Lead Cook Demographics
Gender
-
Male
69.0% -
Female
29.3% -
Unknown
1.7%
Ethnicity
-
White
80.0% -
Hispanic or Latino
12.3% -
Asian
6.0% -
Unknown
1.2% -
Black or African American
0.5%
Languages Spoken
-
Spanish
54.8% -
French
15.6% -
Italian
8.0% -
German
4.5% -
Portuguese
2.5% -
Japanese
2.0% -
Polish
2.0% -
Mandarin
1.5% -
Arabic
1.5% -
Vietnamese
1.0% -
Korean
1.0% -
Thai
1.0% -
Chinese
1.0% -
Hawaiian
0.5% -
Cheyenne
0.5% -
Hebrew
0.5% -
Indonesian
0.5% -
Hungarian
0.5% -
Ukrainian
0.5% -
Russian
0.5%
Lead Cook
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Lead Cook Education
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Johnson & Wales University
16.3% -
University of Phoenix
12.5% -
Culinary Institute of America
11.8% -
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
11.1% -
Delgado Community College
4.3% -
Kirkwood Community College
4.0% -
Johnson County Community College
3.8% -
University of North Dakota
3.5% -
Ashford University
3.5% -
Arizona Culinary Institute
3.5% -
Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago
3.1% -
Kaplan University
3.1% -
Sullivan University
2.8% -
Hinds Community College
2.8% -
Boise State University
2.8% -
University of Southern Mississippi
2.4% -
Lansing Community College
2.1% -
The Academy
2.1% -
Pima Community College
2.1% -
Ozarks Technical Community College
2.1% -
Culinary Arts 35.6%
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Business 17.7%
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Criminal Justice 4.3%
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General Studies 3.8%
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Management 3.5%
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Food And Nutrition 2.7%
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Computer Science 2.5%
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Accounting 2.5%
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Psychology 2.4%
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Education 2.2%
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Liberal Arts 2.2%
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Nursing 2.0%
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Communication 1.8%
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English 1.7%
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Graphic Design 1.6%
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-
-
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Other
39.1% -
Associate
26.9% -
Bachelors
20.2% -
Certificate
7.5% -
Diploma
3.1% -
Masters
2.8% -
License
0.5% -
Doctorate
0.1%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Lead Cook
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Lead Cook Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead Cook | Lotus Group LLC | Plymouth, MN | Jan 13, 2016 | $50,232 |
| Lead Cook | Vagabondo, Inc. DBA Mezza Luna | Neptune Beach, FL | May 20, 2010 | $23,854 |
| Lead Cook | Se Llama Peru | Provo, UT | Feb 18, 2010 | $23,187 |
| Lead Cook | Mu-Shu's Express Dining | Colorado Springs, CO | Apr 04, 2008 | $21,914 |
| Lead Cook | Mu-Shu's Express Dining | Colorado Springs, CO | Mar 27, 2008 | $21,914 |
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Top Skills for A Lead Cook
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Top Lead Cook Skills
- Kitchen Equipment
- Food Preparation Areas
- Safe Food
- Sanitized work areas, kitchen equipment, serve ware and utensils.
- Inspected food preparation areas to ensure safe, sanitary food handling practices.
- Understand and follow procedures and processes for safe food handling and service.
- Worked under pressure while maintaining great customer service to customers needs.
- Prepared food items consistently and in compliance with recipes, portioning, cooking and waste control guidelines.
Top Lead Cook Employers
Pizza Hut
Sodexo
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Lead Cook Videos
Line cooking!
Paul Gerard's WORK THE LINE featuring Anthony Bourdain & Tom Colicchio
Who Cooks Our Food? Ambrocio Ramirez, Manzanita Lead Cook