What is a chef de partie?
A chef de Partie is responsible for running one particular area of the kitchen at any given time and reports to the Sous Chef. They are expected to cook and to ensure that food goes out during a service. In this case, the Chef de Partie is known as a line cook and the chefs are divided into a hierarchy within the station and named ‘First Cook,’ ‘Second Cook’ etc.
How to become a chef de partie?
To become a chef, you could study for a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in Culinary arts or professional cookery.
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
- 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
If you have no experience, you could volunteer in a community kitchen before applying for a job. You could start work as a kitchen assistant or trainee ‘commis’ chef and work your way up while learning on the job. You could apply for work with restaurants or catering companies.
Chef de partie duties
Chef de partie duties are diverse and depend on the employer and specialty, but some responsibilities are common to most:
- Preparing, cooking and presenting high quality dishes within the speciality section
- Assisting the Head Chef and Sous Chef in creating menu items, recipes and developing dishes
- Monitoring portion and waste control
- Overseeing the maintenance of kitchen and food safety standards
- Suggest new ways of presentation of dishes
- Suggest new rules and procedures for optimizing the cooking process
- Collaborating with the rest of the culinary team to ensure high-quality food and service
Chef de partie skills
To be an effective Chef de partie, you’ll need certain skills and competencies. The following are often cited in job vacancies:
- Ability to manage Commis Chefs
- Ability to produce good quality food in all sections Good oral communication
- Adaptability to change and willingness to embrace new ideas and processes
- Positive and approachable manner
- Ability to multitask
- Ability to work efficiently under pressure
- Great time management skills
- Knowledge of best and latest cooking practices
How to find a Chef de partie job
These jobs are advertised online, in local newspapers and at your local jobcentre. To find all the Chef de partie jobs near you, you need to:
- Search for Chef de partie jobs on popular job websites such as; Indeed, Total Jobs and CV Library
- Use the DWP’s Find A Job Service
- Check local newspapers and local Facebook groups, especially groups dedicated to local jobs
Chef de Partie Job Titles
When you search for Chef de partie jobs online, be aware that the jobs might be advertised using a different job title. Popular job titles for Chef de partie jobs include;
- Station chef
- Line cook
What does a Chef de Partie do?
The job of a chef de partie varies depending on the job role and the company you’re working for. Check the duties and responsibilities of chef de partie job advertisements to find jobs that best suit your skills and experience.
The day-to-day tasks of a chef de partie include;
- Preparing, cooking and presenting dishes within your speciality
- Managing and training any demi-chef de parties or commis working with you
- Helping the sous chef and head chef to develop new dishes and menus
- Ensuring you and your team have high standards of food hygiene and follow the rules of health and safety
- Monitoring portion and waste control to maintain profit margins