Career guide

Cook: career guide and training

As a cook you organise and supervise the kitchen of a restaurant.

What will you do?

You compose menus, develop new recipes, prepare dishes and plate them with care. You supervise the preparation, check deliveries, follow up on stock and train your team members. As a kitchen chef or head chef you coordinate the team, always keeping an eye on quality and budget.

  • Compose menus and develop new recipes
  • Supervise the preparation of dishes
  • Check the plating of the dishes
  • Check deliveries and follow up on stock
  • Train team members and coordinate the kitchen team
  • Work food safe, hygienic and cost conscious

Skills to develop

  • Knowledge of food safety and hygiene rules
  • Able to lead and motivate a team
  • Creativity in composing menus and recipes
  • Stress resistant during busy services
  • Cost conscious within a set budget
  • Flexible for evening and weekend work

Your foundation for this occupation

Learn knife skills, cooking methods and kitchen organisation. Recipes, portions and allergen information must align.

From preparation to your first day

  1. Develop the practical skills

    Practise mise en place and finishing dishes together during a service simulation.

  2. Check your work

    Check flavour, doneness, presentation and storage instructions; separate raw and prepared foods.

How can you grow?

Specialise in a cuisine, section or menu development.

Frequently asked questions

Why does mise en place matter?

Preparation determines timely service. Missing garnishes or unclear portions disrupt the whole kitchen team.

Sources and training

Could this be your match?

A vacancy only tells part of the story. Discover how your skills, work style and commute fit a job in the Werkvolk app.

Free for candidates