WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL COOK

WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL COOK?

   The professional cook is a person who is trained and skilled in the culinary techniques of the kitchen and in the use of the tools of the kitchen. The cook's business is food. This person has the capacity to work and be productive in any one of the hotel's kitchens with a minimal amount of training and direction. The professional  cook knows the basics of the butcher shop, the garde manager, the hot kitchen, and the bakery and pastry shop. When needed, this person can fillet a fish of fabricatte a lamb chop/prepare canapes or make mayonnaise, prepare a soup or sauce as requested by the chef, or bake a cake or a loaf of bread. 

WHAT ARE THE BEST BASICS TO BE MASTERED?

- Personal 

Grooming 

People are judged by their appearance. If they appear neat and clean they make a good impression, and likewise, a messy appearance is usually associated with sloopy work habits. Your presentation is very important in the workplace. When reporting to work you must be clean shaven and have your hair kept cut to a moderate length. Your hands should be clean. Your cleanliness and wholesomeness will be reflected in your work. It will be better organized tend to have a better presentation, reflecting your own presentation and attitude to your work.

Clothing

Kitchen personal, cooks and chefs, work in a special white uniform referred to as "Kitchen whites". This uniform includes pants, jacket, apron and hat. Not only does this uniform aid in your presentation but it also serves a sanitary function as well, and for these reasons you must report every day in a clean and pressed uniform. By changing from your street clothes, you leave behind in the locker room the dirt and bacteria of the street which can cause a health hazard when handling food. In this fashion the "Kitchen Whites" function as do "hospital whites" of persons who work in hospitals, in helping to mantain a hygienic environment.

you should leave jewelery and watches at home. These types of items pose a risk of chipping and ending up in the food or catching on a piece of equipment and causing an accident. If your uniform is too loose fitting it too can "catch" on something in the kitchen and cause you an injury. Make sure your shoes have an enclosed  toe for added protection.. sandals are not permitted in the kitchen!

Smoking

This one is easy; smoking in food preparation and handling areas is prohibited! If you must smoke, do so only in designated areas and make sure to wash your hands before handling food again.

Hands 

Your hands are a frequent food contact area therefore they must be kept clean  at all times. Body temperature is the ideal for bacterial growth, therefore we always attempt to minimize hand contact with the food and to make sure that the hands are clean when handling the food. At times, certain foods will be prepared with the use of disposable plastic gloves. If you have open cuts or sores, check with the chef to see if you may be permitted to work. Wash your hands with hot water and soap every time you use the toilet facilities (your body wastes are highly contaminated); before reporting to work; after contacting anything that is dirty such as the floor or a garbage can; sneezing into your hand; wiping your hand through your hand; etc.

Checklist for reporting to work

Hands and body clean, shaved and hair trimmed/uniform complete and clean/all necessary tools for work/proper shoes/side towels/hotel Identification Card/health card.