This is step 9 in your multi-part online course about
how to become a top chef.
Garde Manger
The Garde Manger chef is a specialized cook that is
responsible for cold food presentations. The cold foods included in
this specialization are salads, pates, canapes, and hors
d’oeuvres.
You will also be responsible for all of the cold
sauces like vinaigrettes, dressings, pickles, aspics, chutneys, and
relishes. You are also responsible for buffet table settings for
small and large gatherings, including corporate events, e.g. ice
sculptures, etc..
Personal
Chef
The personal chef is a chef that prefers to work in a
family setting. This type of chef generally works in the employer’s
home and prepares meals for the family.
In this position, you are basically responsible for
all aspects of the meal including the ordering of the food. It is a
relatively rare specialty that is reserved for those that really
enjoy bringing families together for meal times.
For this type of work, you will have to check about
allergies, personal likes and dislikes, as well as the expectations
of your employers. In a sense you get to interview them for the job.
You have a lot of freedom in this type of work and in some cases,
fewer hours. A personal chef gets to work in a home environment. It
is like cooking for your own family and can be very
rewarding.
Gourmet
Chef
The gourmet chef specializes in specialty cuisine,
often foreign dishes. This type of chef is generally very skilled in
foreign delicacies and what is often considered as “fancy
foods”.
A gourmet chef generally works in upper class
establishments or for those who can afford the expensive dishes that
are prepared. As a gourmet chef, you will need to know even the often
ignored things such as which wines best complement your
cuisine.
Gourmet chefs are often schooled at overseas
locations, but not always. It is an asset as a gourmet chef to
understand the basics of culture, biological sciences, and art. It is
a very prestigious field to study, and can be quite lucrative as
well.
To continue to the next section of your chef training,
please click this link: Qualifications and Advancement
