Have you ever wondered what makes a Sous Chef? Or what exactly a Garde Manger Chef does? Or if Commis Chefs still exist after the demise of the USSR? Well, stop looking at all the titles and definitions are listed below. Chef: The word in French is generally interpreted as the head, as when we say "chief" in English. However, this can be confusing for our definitions here, please ignore this means "loose". Chef de Cuisine: A term used in most large restaurants, hotels and establishments with more than one location. This Chef is the CEO of the kitchen and the restaurant often. Not only are the one who chooses the direction for the food and conceives the dishes for the menu, but often the high profile Chef that the public will know, even though they are rarely in the kitchen and rarely cook. Executive Chef: The upper part of the management structure of the kitchen. If there is a Chef de Cuisine present, the Executive Chef reports only to them, but since only the largest establishments actually have a Chef de Cuisine, Executive Chef is usually the top. He or she is the visionary leader, responsible for designing menu ideas, creating recipes, setting standards, controlling costs and perform many administrative tasks. Because of all these responsibilities, they do very little actual cooking. Chef: The title given to the Executive Chef or Chef de Cuisine of operation of small and medium enterprises. He or she is responsible for menu planning in conjunction with suppliers, controlling budgets and personnel management. Normally would not find a chef and an Executive Chef in the same establishment. Sous Chef: Literally translated means "under Chef." The sous chef is the second in charge. He or she is the hands on the person, they do all the daily running of the kitchen, are almost always in the kitchen and spend very little time in the office. They are regularly the most senior chef in the kitchen and for the periods often take the Expeditor role. The role of Sous Chef as Expeditor is to be the last checkpoint between kitchen and customer, ensuring that the restaurants high standard of food and timely delivery was made. Sous Chef could play this role from the service side of the kitchen, but can also do it while he or she cooks. The title of Sous Chef may be preceded by the executive, senior or junior, to designate an additional specific hierarchy. Chef de Partie: Literally translated means "Chef of Section" and refers to a chef in charge of a certain section, such as grilled or fried. Here again is a term that may have earlier as Senior or Junior. Commis Chef: these boys and girls are the young talent in the kitchen, but most of the work. Chances are the food that we eat in restaurants is in 9 out of 10 cases were prepared by them under the watchful eye of their elders. Apprentice / Trainee Chefs: These are the chefs that are technically in training, although in reality the training never stops, as all the chefs tend to keep learning from each other. The tasks assigned to Apprentice Chefs can test a brave young chefs, but these same duties lead to great appreciation for their career choice as they advance in the hierarchy. Pastry Chef: The king or queen of the pastry section, are responsible for all those decadent and impressive desserts and sweets are in hotels and restaurants. Although listed here under the apprentice / trainee chef, this is not the case. Depending on the size of the operation of the pastry section can have its own hierarchy within, however, the whole section most likely still reports to the Sous Chef and Executive. The pastry section or pastry kitchen is often a world unto itself and is usually slightly separated from the main kitchen. Just as the section physically differs, so do its inhabitants. Confectioners are cut the same cloth as chef and can work under pressure and at a fast pace, but often have a higher level of patience. Not all of the above terms will apply to all kitchens. As you can imagine a kitchen with only 3 agents did not need a chef, a chef and a Senior Sous Chef. The titles below refer to some of the many names given to chefs assigned to certain stations and not necessarily their place in the hierarchy. Chef Garde Manger: It 's head of the cold and sometimes the pastry if there is no designated pastry chef. Entre Metier Chef: Is responsible for the preparation of side dishes and vegetables. Saucier Chef: Is responsible for items skipped and most sauces.