Chefs and head cooks held about 127,500 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most chefs and head cooks were as follows:
Restaurants and other eating places
52%
Special food services
11
Traveler accommodation
10
Chefs and head cooks work in restaurants, hotels, private households, and other food service facilities, all of which must be kept clean and sanitary. Chefs and head cooks usually stand for long periods and work in a fast-paced environment.
About 1 in 20 chefs and head cooks were self-employed in 2014. Because some self-employed chefs run their own restaurant or catering business, their work can be more stressful. For example, outside the kitchen, they often spend many hours managing all aspects of the business to ensure that bills and salaries are paid and that the business is profitable.
Injuries and Illnesses
Kitchens are usually crowded and filled with dangerous objects and areas, such as hot ovens and slippery floors. As a result, chefs and head cooks have a higher rate of injuries and illnesses than the national average. The most common hazards include slips, falls, cuts, and burns and are seldom serious. To reduce these risks, workers often wear long-sleeve shirts and nonslip shoes.
Work Schedules
Most chefs and head cooks work full time, including early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. Many chefs and head cooks work more than 40 hours a week because they oversee the delivery of food supplies early in the day and use the afternoon to prepare special menu items.
