Chef.....It means Chief. I don't want anyone to become disillusioned with what it means to be a chef...We are all cooks...fredy giredet calls himself a cuisiner. it has only been about 20 years or so that the title of chef has held such a lofty place and gained respect.I thank Louis Szathmary for lobbing in Washington dc to legally elevate the statues of a chef to Professional.
I have my name embroidered on my jacket and I manage 25 people, and I have earned what is called Chef. But only because of the experience I have had,and most importantly my staff. You are only as good as the people who support you. When you Graduate culinary school... you are just beginning. You are a chef when you can lead,cook better then anyone in your kitchen,comfort and console..be a military drill Sergeant,keep the food cost low and the revenue high,hold a tangerine in one hand and a clemintine in the other and really understand the difference and how to teach your staff about that ...And support the farmers because it makes a difference.Remember the look you gave your chef when he or she spent time with you...to lend you support, to teach you, and to challenge you to do better? When you have felt all these things and can fall asleep at night..maybe.just maybe you are a Chef. Thank you Chef Louis
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