Chefs are among the most hardworking people. At a glance., the chef’s work looks pretty easy and exciting. However, the job is brutal sometimes, especially the long-standing hours. Standing next to a hot stove for many hours, chopping vegetables and other ingredients, cleaning, stocking the shelves or pantry, and doing paperwork isn’t exactly a pleasing thing. Nevertheless, we appreciate their work and the meals they prepare for people. Chefs do roughly the same job in different settings. The primary role is cooking, but the working hours vary depending on the environment. A school chef is quite different from a restaurant chef as the work hours may be shorter. Let’s look at the number of hours a school chef works below.
Working hours for a school chef
As the name suggests, a school chef works in a learning institution. A typical school runs through the weekdays and breaks on weekends, but very few operate on weekends like boarding schools. So, basing our article on this, the chefs work only when the school is open. Most school chefs lack shifts, unlike restaurant chefs, where one takes the morning and the other evening hours. Many institutions have a single head cook to work throughout the week to prepare mainly lunch, breakfast, and dinner where applicable.
A school chef spends most of their time preparing simple dishes in the kitchen or cafeteria. This job requires stamina as the cook spends many hours on their feet. Also, the food required is quite a lot, and it takes hard work to make it taste good and retain its nutritional value for all students.
Aside from cooking, as the chef, you’ll spend a reasonable amount of time planning menus based on the dietary guidelines given. You’ll also spend time working on administrative issues such as taking inventory, ordering foodstuffs and other supplies, or training other kitchen staff. Cleaners or junior cooks may take up cleaning, but the school chef does it sometimes in their workspace, which also takes time. You are lucky if you work in a school with enough employees. You can delegate some of the duties that don’t directly involve you, like menu planning. However, be prepared to work many hours if the institution is understaffed.
Generally, school chefs work roughly 7-8 hours. These hours vary depending on the scheduled duties for the day and the school, e.g., boarding school, kindergarten, university campus, etc. They work only during school hours, and when the school is in session, so they break when the kids close. This may vary based on the institution, e.g., boarding school or university campus. In some instances, school chefs work past the 8-hour mark, especially during events like tournaments, school parties, and many more.
Typical work schedule
Some schools have similar schedules while those of others vary. A typical day begins early in the morning, mainly if the school provides breakfast. After serving breakfast, the chef and his staff start prepping for lunch which should be ready before the students’ break. Some chefs close work shortly after the lunch breaks unless they have more duties to attend to. In boarding schools, there may be shifts. The morning chef may work till lunch and leave, and another takes over to cook dinner.
Final words
School chefs can be in the actual school kitchen or cafeteria. They work at least 7 to 8 hours each day depending on the day’s responsibilities and the school’s working hours. Also, the more meals they prepare, the more time they spend working unless the institution has more than enough kitchen staff to help around. Most schools open five days a week, so the chef has ample time to rest during the weekend. School chefs in boarding institutions may work more hours a week by the do so in shifts, so they also rest during their off days.
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