How to Become a Saute Cook

Working as a saute cook can be a first step towards becoming a chef.

As interest in television cooking shows and the culinary arts increases, so does the interest in working in the restaurant business. Many chefs have become household names, gaining notoriety at nearly the same level of a rock star or famous actor. No matter if your aim is to reach the level of executive chef or just to work in a professional kitchen, becoming a saute cook will provide you with good experience. Getting started as a saute cook will require a few basic steps.

Instructions

1. Gain a good understanding and working knowledge of basic kitchen skills. This can be accomplished through formal classes at a local college, private instruction or can even be self-taught. Topics such as knife skills, safe food handling, raw food preparation, recipe manipulation and cooking techniques should be covered in detail.

2. Apply for an entry-level kitchen position as a means of getting your foot in the door. Lacking any real-world experience, you may have to work your way up or wait for an open saute cook position. Even so, the experience of working in a kitchen can always be beneficial. If you have some experience or formal education background, you may be able to apply for a saute position directly.

3. Inquire about saute cook or other kitchen-related internships that may offer you a starting point, as well as some valuable experience. Internships are typically very strictly structured and may offer a full-time position upon completion. While internships are commonly unpaid, some do offer compensation during or upon completion of the program.

Tips & Warnings

• Investigate coking schools carefully before committing to any program.

• Good shoes are a very important part of your kitchen uniform.

• Consider a part-time restaurant job to make sure you really like the work.

• Restaurant jobs typically involve working nights, weekends and holidays.

• Kitchen jobs can be hot, dirty and involve long hours.

• Professional kitchen equipment can be dangerous.

References

• Foodie Knowledge: Working In A Restaurant Kitchen
• Project Galactic Guide; The Underrated Art Of Saute Cooking In America; Mike Rohde; 1996
• Grand Rapids Community College: Secchia Institute for Culinary Education