Who is a cook and what do they do? The job of a cook is to prepare food.
What are the activities of the cook? She/he co-operates in finding out the financial costs of food, calculating and fixing prices for food, preparing the menu, ordering, accepting, testing and storing food ingredients – prepares food according to recipes and formulas (that includes calculating the necessary quantities of particular materials for large canteens as well as smaller establishments) – arranges food before it is served – prepares and arranges food for banquets, receptions etc. – prepares and arranges food for special diets – sometimes also serves food to diners – prepares his/her own recipes for new food – co-operates in maintaining kitchen utensils and equipment.
Where is it done and under what conditions? Mostly in kitchens of hotels, restaurants, snack bars, coffee houses, wine bars, hospitals, school and factory canteens, residences and domestic houses. The working environment can involve high temperatures and a stuffy atmosphere. A cook also often works shifts.
What tools/equipment do they use? The tools most used are cookers, grills, ovens, including programmable cooking equipment, scales, measuring jugs, knives, cooking spoons, ladles, pans, kneading machines, whisks, etc. You must be good with your hands.
What do you need to succeed? You should have completed an apprenticeship, be clean, have some aesthetic awareness, the ability to organise your own work, be good with your hands and, particularly, fingers, be able to distinguish tastes and smells. You must also not be a germ carrier.