Chef Cookbooks

Becoming a Chef

So you watch Food channels on television, you read Gourmet magazines and fancy cookbooks and think you could become a Chef. The food channels are great for inspiration for the home cook who is only cooking for 4 but in reality it is very far removed from a commercial working kitchen. Becoming a Chef is not for the faint hearted, of course thats dependable on where you wish to work e.g. a cafe or a 5 star hotel. Also it depends on what kind of Chef you want to become, a restaurant Chef, a personal Chef, or what kind of area  you wish to specialize in, desserts, pan work, buffet work,or a la carte. The areas for specialization are endless, these days however a Chef has  general knowledge and experience in all areas but can have a passion or strength for a particular niche and this can become their trademark or point of difference when applying for a job.

Being a Chef requires a lot of special attributes that may not be required at other jobs.
For starters you have to be able to stand on your feet for long periods of time, so covered sturdy shoes are a must, in fact covered shoes are a safety regulation and you would never be able to enter a kitchen without them. You have to be able to stand the heat in the kitchen, so when someone says “if you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen” that is exactly true. You will also experience loud noises, people yelling and sometimes in the heat of the moment fellow staff saying things they regret because they are under pressure. A busy kitchen is a stressful place to work in for everyone involved.
When a kitchen is churning out 500 meals a day that’s a lot of pressure on everybody. If you’re a sensitive type then a fast paced kitchen is probably not for you, as you would be easily offended. I remember when I was working as a prep Chef and the Sous Chef would whack you on the leg or push you aside if you were in his way. He obviously didn’t have time or the manners to say “excuse me”, but the kitchen staff got used to it and we learned not to take offence, that was just the way he worked.
Usually in the kitchen, everyone works at a fast pace during service, things might be said that under normal circumstances wouldn’t be, tempers can get heated, but staff all have the same goal, to create a beautiful meal, and have it served in minimum time. There is no time for petty arguments, or grudges, everyone has to pull together in order to have a co-operative working kitchen.  
Then when the service is over that is the time for  apologies between staff, maybe debriefing, differences aired, and opinions given, then everything is back to normal until the next service.
Though it’s a fast paced job at times, it can be so rewarding.
The skills learnt are with you for life and you’ll never be without a job, as people always have money to eat out and that’s just the cooking skills you will acquire. Other skills obtained along the way can be many, these can include
1. Ability to work under pressure.
2. Creativity, as you work with food and put your own creative flair on it.
3. Adapting to different environments, in a kitchen you may move from station to station, or maybe hot to cold.
4. Adapting recipes,learning ways to improvise without affecting the end result.
5. Costing recipes, of course you want to be making money on everything that is produced in the kitchen.
6. Interpersonal and communication skills as you will have to communicate with suppliers and staff
7. Negotiating skills, as you meet with suppliers to get the best deal.

These are just some of the skills you can acquire as you learn to become a Chef.

The friendships you make are life long, Chef’s are very loyal to one another as only they realize the commitment and long hours that go into the job. The opportunity to use your creative skills with food is apparent.
If you have a passion for food and for cooking then your almost there. It would pay to get some kind of formal training, though in saying that experience counts for a lot, but it’s a good idea to know hygiene regulations regarding food and basic cooking skills and techniques. There are many training schools for Chefs around the country.
There are some questions you need to ask yourself. What area do you want to specilise in? Do you wish to become a Head Chef one day? Do you wish to run your own catering business?
How committed can you be? Do you have the support of your family? Any Chef will tell you, a Chef’s life is not very family orientated, as they mostly work nights and weekends and most holidays.

There are ways you can find out if this is for you. Cook for friends, have dinner parties.
Get them to honestly critique your food. This way you can truly find out if you have got what it takes.
There are many cookbooks and restaurant recipes that you can get hold of to practice with. Be creative in your cooking, use a basic recipe and add your own signature, you may create a delicious dish from this.
Most importantly, be passionate about cooking, your creating something that people will love from a list of ingredients. Go for it! Being a Chef can be a most rewarding career.

About the Author

Marsher Smiman is a qualified Chef of 20years, a wife, mother and business owner. Marsher loves to cook for friends and family and often hosts dinner parties to showcase the skills she has learnt over the years.

For delicious restaurant recipes to wow your friends and family go to

http://www.secretsofarestaurantchefsite.com

Seattle Chef Tom Douglas Recommends Cookbooks

The Royal Palms Cookbook by Chef Michael Demaria & N. Trulsson HC $6.50

THE PAMPERED CHEF SPRING/SUMMER 2001 SEASON’S BEST RECIPE COLLECTION COOKBOOK $0.99

COOK BOOK L’Escargot Restaurant CHEF OTTMAR WEBER Grand Cayman Islands $4.99

THE PAMPERED CHEF DORIS CHRISTOPHER’S STONEWARE SENSATIONS SOFTCOVER COOKBOOK $1.99

The Pampered Chef “More Stoneware Sensations” Recipe/Cookbook 1999 $3.99

Set of 5 Pamapered Chef Cookbooks $14.99

THE PAMPERED CHEF DORIS CHRISTOPHER’S MORE STONEWARE SENSATIONS COOKBOOK BAKING! $1.99

The Great Chefs of Virginia Cookbook – Paperback $1.00

Pampered Chef Cook Book It’s Good for You Healthy Recipes for Busy Families $5.49

South Florida’s Celebrity Chefs Cookbook 1987 $5.99

Incredible Cuisine Chef Jean-Pierre Brehier PBS Series Companion Cookbook $5.49

Pampered Chef Busy Mom’s Cookbook $5.50

PAMPERED CHEF Delightful Desserts From Easy to Elegant COOKBOOK Spiral Bound $8.79

Lot of Cookbooks Booklets Lot of 10 Hershey Hunts Pampered Chef Country $8.99

PAMPERED CHEF SEASONS BEST LOT OF 6 PAPERBACK COOKBOOKS 2002 – 2010 $4.24

PAMPERED CHEF SEASON’S BEST COOKBOOK FALL WINTER 2003 30+ PAGES OF RECIPES $0.99

3 GREAT SUMMERTIME COOKBOOKS 2-Betty Crocker 1-Pampered Chef $0.99

The Black Hat Chef Cookbook, Chef Rene, Good Book $7.60

JUST RELEASED GREAT CHEFS COOK VEGAN COOKBOOK TOP CULINARY NAMES VEGETARIAN $19.99

PAMPERED CHEF RECIPES FROM THE HEART COOKBOOK $4.99

Pampered Chef Cookbook – Make It Fresh, Make It Healthy – NEW $14.00

HUGE LOT 14 PAMPERED CHEF COOKBOOKS & PAMPHLETS $19.99

IN THE VIKING KITCHEN Cookbook BOOK with Chef Grant MacPherson SIGNED 2010 HBDJ $29.00

The Marijuana Chef Cookbook by S. T. Oner (2007, Paperb $19.99

THE FRENCH CHEF COOKBOOK JULIA CHILD 1968 HARD COVER DUST JACKET $22.95

LOT OF 13 PAMPERED CHEF COOKBOOKS RECIPIE BOOKS 1995-2009 SEASONS BEST PHOTOS $16.05

RARE VINTAGE 1949 MAGIC CHEF CookBook w/original package stove co Dorothy Shank $5.50

Lot of 5 Vintage Cook Books/ Young Americans,Meat & Poultry,Cutco, Magic Chef $9.99

the Ultimate RV Cookbook-Recipes for the Traveling Chef $2.00

Pampered Chef Cook Book, Doris Christophers STONEWARE SENSATIONS, Heritage $4.99

“Southwest Tastes” Hard Back Cookbook from TV Series Great Chefs of the West $3.99

1997 The PAMPERED CHEF Recipes From The Heart Cookbook Great Recipes $5.99

PAMPERED CHEF STONEWARE INSPIRATIONS COOKBOOK- 2005 $2.88

130 eBooks VINTAGE OLD COOK BOOKS RECIPES Chef c 1900s Meat Desserts Pastries $11.05

The French Chef Cookbook ~ Illustrated with Photographs $5.99

recipe cookbook JIM COLEMAN’S FLAVORS Chef Rittenhouse hotel Philadelphia HB/DJ $8.99

Jamie Oliver London THE NAKED CHEF cookbook recipes HBDJ $11.99

1980 Press Photo Chef Joan Nathan Cookbook Author “Jewish Holiday Kitchen” $33.88

Veggie Lovers Cook Book by Morty, Chef Star and Mort… $9.95

130 eBooks VINTAGE OLD COOK BOOKS RECIPES Chef c 1900s Meat Desserts Pastries $9.99

Pampered Chef Main Dishes Cookbook $4.75

RECIPES FROM THE HEART COOKBOOK The Pampered Chef easy to prepare meals $2.50

Tupperware Mini Cookbook “Chef’s Special” A Mini Cookbook For Busy Ladies 1973 $2.99

PAMPERED CHEF ALL THE BEST AND 29 MINUTES TO DINNER COOKBOOKS SET OF 2 MINT! $15.50

Master Chefs of Europe HCDJ 1989 Cookbook Raymond Blanc $14.99

‘Naked Chef’ Jamie Oliver – Set of two hardback books; Biography /Cookbook $6.50

Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Fork in the Road by Paul Prudhomme Cookbook $1.29

The Cheating Chef’s Secret Cookbook: 517 Delicious Dish $9.86

c1996 The NEW PROFESSIONAL CHEF CULINARY INSTITUTE COOKBOOK 1190pp Tome $29.00

HILTON INTERNATIONAL COOK BOOK 1960 ANTIQUE ETHNIC RECIPES *CHEFS *HARD COVER dj $14.95

Pampered Chef Seasons Best Cook Book 2012 SPRING / SUMMER BOOKLET New $4.45

THE PROFESSIONAL CHEF 8TH EDITION THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA COOKBOOK! $29.99

8 Pampered Chef Cook book Cookbook Lot Seasons Best Main Dish Stoneware $9.99

PAMPERED CHEF FLUTED BUNDT CAKE PAN NEW with FREE 156 Recipe Stoneware Cookbook $11.01

“Secrets of the Master Chefs of China” Lge HC Cookbook $12.59

Secrets of Chicago Chefs Cookbook $40.00

Emeril’s There’s a Chef in My Soup Lagasse Cookbook $12.00

THE FRENCH CHEF COOKBOOK by Julia Child PB1971 $7.99

1980 Signed Chef Chu CHINESE CUISINE COOKBOOK 1st DJ Inscribed Fine Dining $15.00

Pampered Chef Season’s Best Recipe books/cook books. Lot of 9 $10.99

The French Chef Cookbook by Julia Child (1968, Hardcover) (126) $15.25

Top Chef: The Cookbook Introduction By Tom Colicchio (2 $31.99

Chefs Scholars International Cookbook University of Maryland 1978 Terrapins $2.99

The Pampered Chef, Stoneware Sensations Cookbook $8.99

BRAVO! MUSICIANS CHEFS COOKBOOK MICHIGAN MUSIC SOCIETY $7.95

The French Chef Cookbook Julia Child 1968 Hardcover $6.99

San Francisco Celebrated Chefs Cookbook. $20.00

The Pampered Chef Stoneware Sensations Family Heritage Cookbook $3.99

*HARTLAND WI 1997 COOK BOOK *KNOLLWOOD FARM *KNOCKOUTS COOKIN IWTH CHEF WILLY $9.95

Pampered Chef The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home Cookbook Spiral $3.22

Gold gp 3D Cook Book Recipes Chef Charm (b) … FREE SHIP … (LOT of 5) $9.99

CHILDRENS COOK BOOKS –PAPPERED CHEF + KIDS COOKING CLUB SET 3–KIDS WILL LOVE.. $6.99

4 Chef Rubber Duckies Cooking Gourmet pampered Cookbook party cuisine $3.99

CHEFS AND COOKETTES COOKBOOK DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TEENAGERS THIRD EDITION $2.99

DAVE’S Dinners COOKBOOK by DAVE Lieberman FOOD Network CHEF NEW!!! $6.95

The Cheating Chef’s Secret Cookbook (Reader’s Digest) (HC – 2010) $5.99

Pampered Chef Seasons Best Cookbook from 2005 – New $0.99

The Vintner’s Table Cookbooks: Recipes from a Winery Chef by Mary Evely… $9.99

Davis Baking Powder cookbook~Little Book of Excellent Recipes by Mystery Chef $9.99

Pampered Chef Seasons Best Fall/winter 2011 Cookbook $0.99

The White House Chef Cookbook, Over 500 recipes and m.. $14.96

Pampered Chef IT’S GOOD FOR YOU Cookbook RECIPES $12.95

Simple Hawaiian cookery Hawaii Cookbook Chef 1964 $5.95

MAGIC CHEF recipe cook book for Microwave Oven $4.95

Gluten Free Girl And The Chef NEW Cookbook Celiac Disea $12.79

Future Chefs: 17 Time Life/Foods of the World Series Cookbooks (Sprial Bound) $59.50

The Executive Chef’s Arthritis Cookbook and Health Guide by James McKoy M.D…. $17.03

The Little Book of Excellent Recipes by Master Chef – Vintage Cookbook 1934 $4.99

Pampered Chef Stoneware Sensations Cookbook $1.99

kids cook books silly snacks better pampered chef $9.99

An American Feast Cookbook~T.V’s Greatest Chefs~173 pgs $8.99

JAMIE OLIVER THE NAKED CHEF COOKBOOK $14.99

Texas TEE TIME with THE CHEFS Cookbook * Beverages, Snacks, Soups, Entrees / ETC $19.99

Soft Cover Plastic Ring Binding 2004 Pampered Chef Its Good For You Cookbook $2.99

Pampered Chef Latin Flavor Recipe Cookbook $2.99

The Crawfish CookBook of Dalmation D Dupre Master Chef and Short Order Cook $0.99

Pampered Chef 29 minutes to Dinner cookbook $2.99

KIDS CHEF’S T-SHIRT. GET COOKING. IDEAL STOCKING FILLER. COOK BOOK, RECIPE BOOK $18.89

KIDS CHEF’S T-SHIRT. GET COOKING. IDEAL STOCKING FILLER. COOK BOOK, RECIPE BOOK $18.89

KIDS CHEF’S T-SHIRT. GET COOKING. IDEAL STOCKING FILLER. COOK BOOK, RECIPE BOOK $18.89

Hamilton Beach Digital Steamer $29.88 Product Description: Satisfying many different tastes at dinnertime is easy with this versatile Food Steamer. It has two separate steaming tiers with a removable divider to fit (almost) anything. Product Details: Cook in one or two tiers at once, or remove the tier divider for large foods Perfect for steaming corn on the cob or a head of broccoli Steams delicate fish, lobster & shrimp Cooks eggs …

Aroma ARC-838TC 16-Cup (Cooked) Digital Rice Cooker and Food Steamer $31.98 Prepare entire meals, large or small, in one easy step. This digital rice cooker flawlessly prepares up to 16 cooked cups of any type of rice and will simultaneously steam meat and vegetables. It has a cool-touch exterior and an easy-to-use, programmable control panel that includes functions such as automatic warming and delay timer. The removable heavy-duty inner pot is non-stick for easy serving…

Sunbeam 5891 2-Pound Programmable Breadmaker, White $86.05 2 LB LOAF13-HOUR DELAY BAKE;12 COOKING FUNCTIONSEXPRESSBAKE BREAD MAKER CYCLE BAKES IN UNDER 1 HOURLED DISPLAYEASY-CLEAN TOUCH CONTROL PANELNON-STICK REMOVABLE BAKING PANINCLUDES INSTRUCTION BOOK WITH BREAD RECIPESUPC : 027045651783Shipping Dimensions : 18.30in X 14.00in X 13.40inEstimated Shipping Weight : 20.6812…

Cookbook Videos Hot Hors D’oeuvres Vol. No. 17 Chef Alexander shows how easy it is to prepare a variety of hot baked and deep-fried hors d’oeuvres. Using the fundamentals in this tape, you can create your own special hors d’oeuvres with different ingredients. Best of all, the Chef teaches how to time your creations so as to be ready when needed….

A Taste of Colonial Williamsburg (Video Cookbook) A delicious adventure into Colonial Virginia Cuisine! ~ Join Williamsburg chef Dave Everett as he shows how to prepare colonial-style foods to serve in your own home. ~ The program also features culinary historian, Nancy Carter Crump, demonstrating hearthside cooking techniques filmed in a historic 18th century kitchen. Many authenic recipes…

Cookbook Videos Pizza Featuring Chef Harold Alexander …

Knock Knock Takeout Menu Organizer $19.49 The Takeout Menu Organizer proudly acknowledges the fact that most of us don’t cook every night-or any night. This revamped modern-day recipe box conveniently stores everything necessary to feed oneself via telephone or Internet in one contained place. Includes handy meal-rating stickers, tipping guide, helpful ordering advice, frequently called numbers list, and so much more. An essential to…

One Dozen (12) Chef Rubber Ducks $8.95 This set of 12 rubber duckys are just adorable. You’ll receive a combination of the four designs shown for a total of 12 ducks. Each ducky measures approx. 2″ x 2″ x 2-1/2″H. They do not squeak but do have a hole in their beak for squirting water. They do not float upright. These make great little party favors or gifts for your favorite cook. *Please note that sometimes these bulk packaged ducks w…

Sushi Chef Sushi Making Kit $30.00 If you’ve ever watched a professional sushi chef at work, the idea of making sushi yourself might seem somewhat daunting. But more and more of us have been putting aside this apprehension in an urge to create some favorite sushi combinations at home. This well-equipped Sushi Making Kit provides the essentials for satisfying that sushi craving. Included in the kit: Sushi Chef Cookbook, Short-grain …

Indian Cuisine Cooking Starter Kit & Gift – Cook Book & Spices, Seasonings – Gourmet Gift For The Chef $75.00 Get familar with bold and beloved flavors of India into your kitchen with this enticing book and ingredient kit. The Indian Food lover can enjoy experimenting with Indian cooking traditions in their own home. This kit invites you to discover a world of vibrant flavors its venerable and ancient food traditions. Explore recipes and culinary cultures of the Middle East. Learn the age-old secrets …