| A cook is the general term for an individual responsible | | | | some beginning or lower-level jobs, it is highly |
| for preparing a wide range of food dishes in | | | | recommended for those planning a career as a cook. |
| restaurants and other food services establishments. | | | | For those aspiring to advanced cooking positions, |
| Cooks use a large variety of kitchen equipment to | | | | formal training beyond a high-school level is definitely |
| measure, mix, season, and cook ingredients according | | | | recommended. Culinary training programs can range |
| to recipes. | | | | from a few months to two years or more and can be |
| Larger restaurants tend to employ several cooks, | | | | obtained at a large number of vocational schools, two |
| sometimes called assistant or line cooks, each of who | | | | year colleges or four year universities. A growing |
| works an assigned station equipped with the types of | | | | number of individuals who aspire to advanced chef |
| stoves, grills, pans, and ingredients needed for a | | | | positions participate in rigorous culinary training |
| specialized type of food prepared at that station. In | | | | programs through independent cooking schools, |
| these cases, job titles often reflect the type of cooking | | | | professional culinary institutes, college degree |
| performed (e.g., fry cook, vegetable cook, or grill cook). | | | | programs in hospitality or culinary arts, or in the armed |
| Specific responsibilities often depend on where cooks | | | | forces. |
| work. Cafeteria cooks, for example, who work in | | | | Certifications are generally not pursued by all types of |
| cafeterias at schools, businesses, hospitals, and other | | | | cook, although those who aspire to higher-level chef |
| institutions, prepare large quantities of a limited number | | | | positions may want to consider boosting their resumes. |
| of menu items according to preset menus. Restaurant | | | | The American Culinary Federation (ACF) offers a |
| cooks, on the other hand, usually prepare a wider | | | | variety of certifications in various culinary specialties. |
| selection of dishes which are cooked on an individual | | | | Earning these certifications requires a combination of |
| basis. | | | | experience, formal training, and the ability to pass a |
| Education, Certification, Licensing | | | | certification exam. |
| Although a high school diploma is not required for | | | | |