Difference between Cook and Chef

Key difference: Any person who cooks food is essentially a cook. However, a chef is a cook who has completed a professional course and/or an apprenticeship.

Cook A cook prepares food and a chef prepares food, so what is the difference between the two? Cooking entails the preparation of food for eating or consumption. Any person who cooks food is essentially a cook. However, a chef is on a completely different level. A chef is a professional cook; someone who cooks for a living.

A chef is a cook who has completed a professional course and/or an apprenticeship. This of course costs money and includes many hours’ work such as working nights, split shifts, double shifts and weekends. It is stressful and tiring. Whereas, a cook is basically any person who cooks food, this can be a person who cooks food for their family and friends, or someone who cooks as part of his/her job at a restaurant. However, if that person, i.e. a cook has not completed a professional course, then they cannot call themselves a chef.

Depending on the chefs’ level of education, the chef may be responsible for managing kitchen staff, directing the preparation of meals, estimating food requirements and ordering food and other supplies. Whereas, a cook is generally responsible for managing his/her own personal kitchen or for completing their defined set of tasks.

Essentially, a chef is the person who heads or works at a high-end restaurant, and has completed their professional education. Whereas, a cook may be famous or work at a high-end restaurant, however, if they do not have a professional degree, they are not a chef.

Comparison between Cook and Chef:

	Chef	Cook
Definition	A professional cook	Someone who cooks and may or may not be working in a professional setting.
Qualifications	A two- or four-year culinary degree Extensive training under a chef i.e. culinary apprenticeship with the goal of gaining a culinary education equal to that of a degree	Work and personal experience
Responsibilities	The ability to create and implement menus in a restaurant setting Responsibilities that include a supervisory role Managing kitchen staff Directing the preparation of meals Estimating food requirements and ordering food and other supplies Define serving sizes Plan menus Ensure correct presentation and quality of meals	Prepare food on a daily basis Perform kitchen duties, as needed and directed Clean and wash the kitchen Use recipes and follow someone else’s menu plan Still be at the learning level of his or her career
Degree includes	Basic sanitation and workplace safety courses, followed by instruction on food handling, preparation and cooking protocols.	No official degree, work experience
Types	Executive Chef (Chef de Cuisine) Sous Chef Pastry Chef (Patissier) Station Chef (Chef de Partie) Saucier Pantry Chef (Gard Manger) Personal Chefs	Personal Cooks Fish Cook (Poissonier) Vegetable Cook (Entremetier) Meat Cook (Rotisseur) Fry Cook Line Cook (Commis)