Chefs and Head Cooks
Also called: chef, head, banquet chef, cook, executive chef (ex chef)
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Estimate amounts and costs of required supplies
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing chefs and head cooks work
8 of 21 main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Amber (some AI use) — 38% when main tasks are weighted. This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Estimate amounts and costs of required supplies (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Meet with customers to discuss menus for special occasions (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Check the quality of raw or cooked food products to make sure that standards are met (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Plan, direct, or supervise food preparation or cooking activities of multiple kitchens or restaurants in an establishment such as a restaurant chain, hospital, or hotel (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Coordinate planning, budgeting, or purchasing for all the food operations within establishments such as clubs, hotels, or restaurant chains (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Collaborate with other staff to plan and develop recipes or menus, taking into account such factors as seasonal availability of ingredients or the likely number of customers (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Record production or operational data on specified forms (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Analyze recipes to assign prices to menu items, based on food, labor, and overhead costs (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Monitor sanitation practices to make sure that employees follow standards and regulations (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Order or requisition food or other supplies needed to make sure efficient operation (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Inspect supplies, equipment, or work areas to make sure conformance to established standards (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Check the quantity and quality of received products (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Determine how food should be presented and create decorative food displays (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Prepare and cook foods of all types, either on a regular basis or for special guests or functions (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Determine production schedules and staff requirements necessary to make sure timely delivery of services (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Recruit and hire staff (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Meet with sales representatives to negotiate prices or order supplies (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Arrange for equipment purchases or repairs (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Demonstrate new cooking techniques or equipment to staff (main task) — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Estimate amounts and costs of required supplies”. Try the prompt for: “Meet with customers to discuss menus for special occasions”.
- Weeks 3–4: Make it a habit. Use AI 3 times a week for 15 minutes. Always check facts, numbers and names yourself.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and chefs and head cooks
Will AI replace chefs and head cooks?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 8 of the 21 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Amber rating (some AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 13 of the 21 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which chef tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: estimate amounts and costs of required supplies; meet with customers to discuss menus for special occasions; check the quality of raw or cooked food products to make sure that standards are met.
Which chef tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: monitor sanitation practices to make sure that employees follow standards and regulations; instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food; supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 53% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a chef start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.