As I was finishing up my weekly cooking demo last Wednesday, there was debate amongst some of the attendees  as to what is the difference between a ”chef “ and a “cook “ ?  I tried real hard to put my thoughts to words but I couldn’t exactly hit it on the nail as being a chef encompasses so many things .

So I called some of my chef colleagues and asked for their input as well .  So here it goes.  

A Chef  is a person who is at best half crazy.  He is extremely creative, moody, temperamental, and insane.  A chef works long hours and the job is both physically and mentally demanding.  He is a perfectionist who will stop at nothing to see his vision through to completion.  A chef creates works of art that will be devoured within minutes of having been created. It is often times a thankless profession . There is always someone who is ready to knock you down and tries to control and mold you into what they want you to be. You have to be extremely confident to the point of arrogance to get your way.  You have to have a thirst for knowledge and a never ending passion for the game or you will not last long in a kitchen.

Tim Jones

A Chef is someone who can transit his goal, enthusiasm, creativity & experience into a position where he continues to provide the strategic and tactical leadership critical to retaining valued customers of an organization.

A chef from some where in California

In this day and age a chef is a skilled cook, a mentor, a showman, an accountant, a human resources director, a supporter of green practices, an entrepreneur and finally a visionary.

  A chef from the DC area

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