THOMAS A. GUGLER
President of Worldchefs and VP culinary at Saudi Airlines Catering Company worldchefs.org saudiacatering.com
Five key traits
A true kitchen professional possesses a number of core characteristics. Five of the most valuable traits include:
1. dedication to achieving excellence in culinary arts through the appreciation of food;
2. openness to lifelong learning and understanding that the quest for knowledge and skill development is never ending;
3. eagerness to explore international traditional cuisines, ingredients, flavor profiles and cooking techniques;
4. encouraging and providing menus or modifications that meet dietary requirements; and
5. supporting their trade association locally, nationally and internationally, making a lifetime commitment to the development of their profession.
When hiring a chef
Ideal qualities when hiring a chef include long-term employment patterns, and promotions within or relocation opportunities provided by employers. Chefs who are committed to education and provide training seminars or workshops tend to be great mentors and leaders in the kitchen. Accomplishments, awards and recognitions indicate the desire to strive for excellence in the culinary industry. Chefs who are actively involved in trade associations demonstrate commitment to their profession and industry in general. When hiring kitchen staff, training and work experience is always preferred. However, eagerness to learn and a positive attitude toward training can open new doors of opportunity.
Tips for chefs of the future
Work for the type of chef you want to become. Be committed to the journey and learn everything you can at school, in the workplace and online. Be an explorer and appreciate the culinary arts. Taste everything and become familiar with as many traditional cuisines as possible before you enhance with your own creativity. Understand dietary requirements and how to modify your menus and recipes to satisfy the needs of your customers. Become a designer in plate presentation through unique food combinations, textures, colors and taste to create your own culinary style. Never stop learning.