In colloquial language, a cook is called a chef.
Chef is a term that comes from French and refers to the head chef . The concept is used, in everyday language, to name the person whose profession or job consists of cooking . For example: “My son wants to study to become a chef and work in a haute cuisine restaurant,” “I'm going to invite you to dinner at a new restaurant that has a French chef,” “All the dishes have been horrible: I'm going to complain.” before the chef.”
It is possible to establish a hierarchy within kitchens , with positions that have different responsibilities and obligations. Thus we can talk about the kitchen assistant , the cook , the second head chef or sous chef (who assists the main chef) and the head chef or chef .
Chef training
The career of a chef has changed over time. Previously, a chef did not have formal studies, but rather his competence was given by the knowledge acquired through practice or by family legacy.
Currently, there are several professional careers linked to gastronomy , which equates this discipline with a science or an art .
In a restaurant, the chef is the person most responsible for the kitchen.
Worldwide recognition
Such is the value that the chef has gained over time, that, at this time, there are various international awards that give name, prestige and recognition to professionals of this type who are considered the best, both for its discoveries and advances as well as its exquisite cuisine.
Among the most important awards are the so-called The World's 50 Best Restaurants which, as their name indicates, come to determine the best restaurants in the world and, therefore, their chefs. Specifically, now among the chefs most recognized for this award are Joan Roca , René Redzépi , Massimo Bottura , Andoni Luis Aduriz Mugaritz and Daniel Humm .
However, we should not overlook the figure of another great chef who throughout his career has become one of the most awarded. We are referring to the Catalan Ferrán Adriá , who for many professionals in the sector is the best in the world.
Specifically, this Spanish chef has achieved such recognition, among other things, because he has contributed new techniques to the kitchen such as deconstruction, which consists of making a recipe have the same flavor as always but presenting its components with different textures and aspects.
The chef at work
It is important to note that the chef is not usually directly responsible for the dishes in a kitchen. The chef designs the recipes, chooses ingredients and directs the people who are in charge of preparing each dish. If a diner orders a dish of gnocchi in a restaurant, it will not be the chef who assembles each gnocchi, boils the water, etc., but rather one of his assistants.
In addition to all this, it should be noted that in recent years there has been a notable growth in the population's interest in gastronomy. Hence, very important television programs have emerged around the world such as “Master Chef” or “Top Chef” .