Chapter 5 The Professional Chef 57
refers to the positive behaviors and appear-
ance exhibited by an individual who is
committed to a career in the culinary arts.
Certain behaviors or traits are key for success
in the professional kitchen.
Respectful
Demonstrating respectful behavior is
recommended when beginning a career in
the culinary arts. This shows that you have
a genuine desire to become a professional.
Respecting your coworkers and supervi-
sors is essential for getting along in a busy,
stressful professional kitchen. Without due
respect, colleagues will be unwilling to share
their hard-earned knowledge and skills.
One part of respect concerns diversity.
Diversity means being composed of or
including different elements. People with
diverse religious beliefs, ethnic backgrounds,
work experiences, educational levels, and
languages work in foodservice. This diver-
sity can add to the richness of a work setting.
People from varied cultures share their
native cuisines and lend input. To create a
healthy work environment, diversity must be
respected.
Cooks and chefs interact with many
people during the course of a day. They
must show respect to everyone. Respect for
customers is at the core of hospitality. The true
professional demonstrates respect for the food,
kitchen facilities, and equipment as well.
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5-1 Successful chefs share their knowledge with staff.