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Line chef vs banquet chef

The differences between line 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 a line chef and a banquet chef. Additionally, a banquet chef has an average salary of $48,026, which is higher than the $26,651 average annual salary of a line chef.

The top three skills for a line chef include kitchen equipment, sanitation standards and food handling. The most important skills for a banquet chef are culinary, food preparation, and quality standards.

Line chef vs banquet chef overview

Line ChefBanquet Chef
Yearly salary$26,651$48,026
Hourly rate$12.81$23.09
Growth rate15%15%
Number of jobs144,22723,474
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Associate Degree, 59%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

What does a line chef do?

Line Chefs are in charge of cooking or preparing meat, vegetables, soup, and other ingredients according to area guidelines. Their responsibilities include managing and supervising kitchen staff, coordinating with fellow chefs, replenishing supply inventories, and setting-up cooking areas, ensuring adequate and high-quality ingredients. Among their other usual tasks involve cutting vegetables and meat, preparing sauces, and resolving issues should any arise. Moreover, they must maintain their designated area's cleanliness, all while enforcing and adhering to the health and sanitation standards.

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.

Line chef vs banquet chef salary

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

Line ChefBanquet Chef
Average salary$26,651$48,026
Salary rangeBetween $18,000 And $37,000Between $28,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CityChicopee, MAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew HampshireNew Jersey
Best paying companySyracuse UniversityJ.F. Shea Co
Best paying industryEducationHospitality

Differences between line chef and banquet chef education

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

Line ChefBanquet Chef
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Associate Degree, 59%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common collegeStanford UniversityCornell University

Line chef vs banquet chef demographics

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

Line ChefBanquet Chef
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 69.4% Female, 30.6%Male, 84.9% Female, 15.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.5% 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 line chef and banquet chef duties and responsibilities

Line chef example responsibilities.

  • Manage food expo; facilitate food temp logs; creation of menu specials; management and supervision of production staff
  • Clean stoves, ovens, shrowds, floors, stainless steel tables.
  • Prepare food for special groups including those who have eating disorders or allergies.
  • Close down the kitchen after each shift, making sure all BOH staff follow closing checklist for kitchen stations.
  • Maintain highest level of cleanliness and sanitation
  • Maintain company and government standards of preparation, safety and cleanliness.
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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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Line chef vs banquet chef skills

Common line chef skills
  • Kitchen Equipment, 16%
  • Sanitation Standards, 11%
  • Food Handling, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Cleanliness, 8%
  • Broilers, 7%
Common banquet chef skills
  • Culinary, 14%
  • Food Preparation, 8%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Banquet Kitchen, 6%
  • Food Quality, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 4%

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