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Line chef vs food service coordinator

The differences between line chefs and food service coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food service coordinator has an average salary of $32,085, 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 food service coordinator are food preparation, customer service, and food handling.

Line chef vs food service coordinator overview

Line ChefFood Service Coordinator
Yearly salary$26,651$32,085
Hourly rate$12.81$15.43
Growth rate15%2%
Number of jobs144,22779,537
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4237
Years of experience6-

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 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.

Line chef vs food service coordinator salary

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

Line ChefFood Service Coordinator
Average salary$26,651$32,085
Salary rangeBetween $18,000 And $37,000Between $23,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityChicopee, MASacramento, CA
Highest paying stateNew HampshireRhode Island
Best paying companySyracuse UniversityAshland MA Police
Best paying industryEducationMedia

Differences between line chef and food service coordinator education

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

Line ChefFood Service Coordinator
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsBusiness
Most common collegeStanford University-

Line chef vs food service coordinator demographics

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

Line ChefFood Service Coordinator
Average age4237
Gender ratioMale, 69.4% Female, 30.6%Male, 35.1% Female, 64.9%
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, 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 line chef and food service coordinator 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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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

Line chef vs food service coordinator skills

Common line chef skills
  • Kitchen Equipment, 16%
  • Sanitation Standards, 11%
  • Food Handling, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Cleanliness, 8%
  • Broilers, 7%
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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