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Working in the culinary world is no small ask. There are a number of challenges that you will face as you look to hone your skills and learn all that you can about food in order to create unique and exciting dishes for customers to enjoy.
Not only will you be spending most of your time on your feet, but you also need to be able to set your competitive nature aside enough to work as a functional and respectful member of a team. With the right balance, you can end up working as a successful professional chef in a kitchen, perhaps even your own, one day.
As you start your journey through culinary school, it will soon become apparent that there are a number of things that you are going to need to be a successful chef. With that in mind, here are some of the top things that you will need to have as a professional chef.
The Right Attire
Most professions have a certain dress code that should be adhered to for practical reasons. The culinary industry is no exception. You will need a specific type of attire that is comfortable, stain-resistant, and part of the traditional garb for a chef.
To this point, make sure that you have plenty of shirts, men’s cooking aprons, and a few comfortable pairs of shoes that you can be on your feet in all day. If you have recently secured a position in a new kitchen, make sure that you check in with your manager to make sure that you have the right attire according to any specific dress code that might be in place for your new job. You also need to make sure that your chef uniform conforms with any health and safety regulations that are in place.
Quality Knives
One of the first big investments that you might find yourself making as a new chef is in a quality set of knives. The knives that you choose are going to be your constant companions and should essentially feel like an extension of your hand. There are a variety of types to choose from, so do your best to demo a few before making your final decision.
Don’t forget to familiarize yourself with the best ways of caring for your new knives. You don’t want to mistreat them and end up ruining your fancy new knives before you really even get started in your career. Routine care and maintenance will help to keep your knives in top shape.
A Notebook
Chefs are creative individuals. They are always looking for new and exciting ways to prepare and present food. The best chefs are almost always thinking about food and ingredients as they look for the next best thing.
Having a quality notebook with you everywhere you go is a good idea as a chef. This way, you can jot down thoughts and inspiration as and when they come to you, even when you are out and about. Before long, you will find yourself creating something completely new to serve up.
