What Can a Chef Earn?

The following article includes pertinent informationthan Granny's Supper Shack that opens only
that may cause you to reconsider what youwhen Granny's not down with a hangover or the
thought you understood. The most importantPizza Palace whose main attraction is its "certified
thing is to study with an open mind and be willingchef" that can twirl a round of dough over his
to revise your understanding if necessary.head.
This article explains a few things about chefs, andAt some places, the relatively low wages may be
if you're interested, then this is worth reading,offset by the employer paying for the uniforms
because you can never tell what you don't know.(yes! The tall white cap and white jacket!) and
Chef's wages vary considerably. Wolfgang Puck'sfree or reduced-priced meals. But this is strictly
12 restaurants brought in $12.2 million last year,arbitrary; Federal law allows meals and uniforms
The Food Channel's Emeril Lagasse made $7to be deducted from wages if the employer so
million, and the "enfant terrible of French cooking"chooses - something to definitely take into
Jean-Georges Vongerichten went home with $3consideration when you're interviewing. And
million.benefits (health insurance, sick days, etc.) are only
And then there's the "real" world: The medianfor full-time employees, so part-timers need to
hourly earnings of chefs two years ago wasfigure out another way of meeting medical bills
$13.43, with the lowest 10 percent making lessand avoid getting sick.
than $7.66 an hour, and the top 10 percentUnions for chefs do exist. These unions include
plucking down a healthy $25.86 hourly wage. So -membership not only of chefs, but all kitchen
there you go: Unless you're one of the blessedworkers, down to the dishwashers and busboys.
food wonders of the world - with plenty ofThe largest are the Hotel Employees and
backing from top sponsors - you're most likelyRestaurant Employees International Union (HERE)
going to fall in the latter group of those headand the Service Employees International Union
chefs making anywhere from the unacceptably(SEIU). HERE recently merged with the Union of
low, "you gotta be kidding" pay scale to the,Needletrades, Textiles and Industrial Employees
"yeah, I can get by on that" wage.(UNITE) to form UNITE HERE, and represents
Think about what you've read so far. Does it440,000 active members and more than 400,000
reinforce what you already know about money?retirees throughout North America. The SEIU
Or was there something completely new? Whatrepresents 1.7 million working people and 120,000
about the remaining paragraphs?retirees. So when you are considering
So far, we've uncovered some interesting factsemployment, you might want to learn whether or
about chefs. You may decide that the followingnot the establishment you're looking at is a
information is even more interesting.member of one of these powerful unions.
A lot depends on what part of the country you'reNow you know what a real, red-blooded American
working. Executive chefs in New York City, Loschef earns. If the beginning wages don't scare
Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston are going toyou off, you may truly be one of the Chosen
make significantly more than those in Mobile,Few destined to "chef" your way through life.
Alabama or Mesa, Arizona. Population aside, it's theI hope that reading the above information was
deep pockets of the customers in those formerboth enjoyable and educational for you. Your
locales that make the difference.learning process should be ongoing--the more you
Another big factor is what type of establishmentunderstand about any subject, the more you will
you work in. Highbrow, four-star-rated restaurantsbe able to share with others.
are going to earn you a much fatter paycheckIn the meantime you can find out more by visiting
(and, in turn, demand your best performance!)the web site listed below.