--- title: How to Work Effectively as a Cook description: Being a cook is more than preparing dishes, you need vital skills and expertise. Read the article to gain valuable insight on how to be an effective cook image: https://blog.sic.edu.au/hubfs/cookery%20(3).jpg --- [eSpace](https://espace.sic.edu.au/login/index.php) [Didasko](https://aws.didasko-online.com/dol/skyline/login/index.php) [Portal Login](https://sic.rtomanager.com.au/) [![Skyline](https://blog.sic.edu.au/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Skyline_International_College_February2022/images/logo.png?width=200&name=logo.png "Skyline")](https://sic.edu.au/) - [About Us](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/) - [Welcome Message](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/welcome-message/) - [Mission & Vision](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/mission-vision/) - [Our Representatives](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/our-representatives/) - [Gallery](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/gallery/) - [Courses](https://sic.edu.au/all-courses/) - [Accounting Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/accounting-courses/) - [FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping](https://sic.edu.au/course/fns40217-certificate-iv-in-accounting-and-bookkeeping/) - [FNS50217 Diploma of Accounting](https://sic.edu.au/course/fns50217-diploma-of-accounting/) - [FNS60217 Advanced Diploma of Accounting](https://sic.edu.au/course/fns60217-advanced-diploma-of-accounting/) - [Automotive Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/automotive-courses/) - [AUR30620 Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology](https://sic.edu.au/course/aur30620-certificate-iii-in-light-vehicle-mechanical-technology/) - [AUR40216 Certificate IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis](https://sic.edu.au/course/aur40216-certificate-iv-in-automotive-mechanical-diagnosis/) - [Business and Management Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/business-and-management-courses/) - [BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management](https://sic.edu.au/course/bsb50420-diploma-of-leadership-and-management/) - [BSB60420 Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management](https://sic.edu.au/course/bsb60420-advanced-diploma-of-leadership-and-management/) - [Graduate Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/graduate-courses/) - [BSB80120 Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning)](https://sic.edu.au/course/bsb80120-graduate-diploma-of-management-learning/) - [Hospitality Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/hospitality-courses/) - [SIT40516 Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery](https://sic.edu.au/course/sit40516-certificate-iv-in-commercial-cookery/) - [SIT50416 Diploma of Hospitality Management](https://sic.edu.au/course/sit50416-diploma-of-hospitality-management/) - [SIT60316 Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management](https://sic.edu.au/course/sit60316-advanced-diploma-of-hospitality-management/) - [Information Technology Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/information-technology-courses/) - [ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology](https://sic.edu.au/course/ict50220-diploma-of-information-technology/) - [ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology](https://sic.edu.au/course/ict60220-advanced-diploma-of-information-technology/) - [Living in Australia](https://sic.edu.au/living-in-australia/) - [Cost of Living](https://sic.edu.au/living-in-australia#livingcost) - [Working in Australia](https://sic.edu.au/living-in-australia#oshc) - [ESOS Framework](https://sic.edu.au/living-in-australia#esos) - [Admissions](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/) - [How To Apply](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/#how-to-apply) - [Fees](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/fees/) - [Academic Calendar](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/academic-calendar/) - [Under 18](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/under18/) - [Student Visa Information](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/student-visa/) - [Pre Arrival Checklist](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/pre-arrival-checklist/) - [Security](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/security/) - [FAQ](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/faq/) - [Student Services](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/) - [On Arrival](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/on-arrival/) - [Orientation](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/orientation/) - [Policies and Forms](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/policies-and-forms/) - [College Facilities](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/college-facilities/) - [OSHC](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/overseas-student-health-cover/) - [Student Life](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/) - [SIC Community](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#sic-community) - [SIC Culture](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#sic-culture) - [Burwood City](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#burwood-city) - [Student Representatives](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#student-representative) - [SIC Alumni](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#sic-alumni) - [SIC Events](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#sic-events) - [Welfare Resources](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#welfare-resource) - [About Us](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/) - [Welcome Message](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/welcome-message/) - [Mission & Vision](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/mission-vision/) - [Our Representatives](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/our-representatives/) - [Gallery](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/gallery/) - [Courses](https://sic.edu.au/all-courses/) - [Accounting Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/accounting-courses/) - [FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping](https://sic.edu.au/course/fns40217-certificate-iv-in-accounting-and-bookkeeping/) - [FNS50217 Diploma of Accounting](https://sic.edu.au/course/fns50217-diploma-of-accounting/) - [FNS60217 Advanced Diploma of Accounting](https://sic.edu.au/course/fns60217-advanced-diploma-of-accounting/) - [Automotive Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/automotive-courses/) - [AUR30620 Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology](https://sic.edu.au/course/aur30620-certificate-iii-in-light-vehicle-mechanical-technology/) - [AUR40216 Certificate IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis](https://sic.edu.au/course/aur40216-certificate-iv-in-automotive-mechanical-diagnosis/) - [Business and Management Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/business-and-management-courses/) - [BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management](https://sic.edu.au/course/bsb50420-diploma-of-leadership-and-management/) - [BSB60420 Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management](https://sic.edu.au/course/bsb60420-advanced-diploma-of-leadership-and-management/) - [Graduate Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/graduate-courses/) - [BSB80120 Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning)](https://sic.edu.au/course/bsb80120-graduate-diploma-of-management-learning/) - [Hospitality Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/hospitality-courses/) - [SIT40516 Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery](https://sic.edu.au/course/sit40516-certificate-iv-in-commercial-cookery/) - [SIT50416 Diploma of Hospitality Management](https://sic.edu.au/course/sit50416-diploma-of-hospitality-management/) - [SIT60316 Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management](https://sic.edu.au/course/sit60316-advanced-diploma-of-hospitality-management/) - [Information Technology Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/information-technology-courses/) - [ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology](https://sic.edu.au/course/ict50220-diploma-of-information-technology/) - [ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology](https://sic.edu.au/course/ict60220-advanced-diploma-of-information-technology/) - [Living in Australia](https://sic.edu.au/living-in-australia/) - [Cost of Living](https://sic.edu.au/living-in-australia#livingcost) - [Working in Australia](https://sic.edu.au/living-in-australia#oshc) - [ESOS Framework](https://sic.edu.au/living-in-australia#esos) - [Admissions](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/) - [How To Apply](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/#how-to-apply) - [Fees](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/fees/) - [Academic Calendar](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/academic-calendar/) - [Under 18](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/under18/) - [Student Visa Information](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/student-visa/) - [Pre Arrival Checklist](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/pre-arrival-checklist/) - [Security](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/security/) - [FAQ](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/faq/) - [Student Services](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/) - [On Arrival](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/on-arrival/) - [Orientation](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/orientation/) - [Policies and Forms](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/policies-and-forms/) - [College Facilities](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/college-facilities/) - [OSHC](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/overseas-student-health-cover/) - [Student Life](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/) - [SIC Community](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#sic-community) - [SIC Culture](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#sic-culture) - [Burwood City](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#burwood-city) - [Student Representatives](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#student-representative) - [SIC Alumni](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#sic-alumni) - [SIC Events](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#sic-events) - [Welfare Resources](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#welfare-resource) [Apply Now](https://sic.rtomanager.com.au/Publics/PublicsPages/StudentApply/pp_Application_Step0.aspx) [eSpace](https://espace.sic.edu.au/login/index.php) [Didasko](https://aws.didasko-online.com/dol/skyline/login/index.php) [Portal Login](https://sic.rtomanager.com.au/) - [About Us](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/) - [Welcome Message](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/welcome-message/) - [Mission & Vision](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/mission-vision/) - [Our Representatives](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/our-representatives/) - [Gallery](https://sic.edu.au/about-us/gallery/) - [Courses](https://sic.edu.au/all-courses/) - [Accounting Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/accounting-courses/) - [FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping](https://sic.edu.au/course/fns40217-certificate-iv-in-accounting-and-bookkeeping/) - [FNS50217 Diploma of Accounting](https://sic.edu.au/course/fns50217-diploma-of-accounting/) - [FNS60217 Advanced Diploma of Accounting](https://sic.edu.au/course/fns60217-advanced-diploma-of-accounting/) - [Automotive Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/automotive-courses/) - [AUR30620 Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology](https://sic.edu.au/course/aur30620-certificate-iii-in-light-vehicle-mechanical-technology/) - [AUR40216 Certificate IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis](https://sic.edu.au/course/aur40216-certificate-iv-in-automotive-mechanical-diagnosis/) - [Business and Management Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/business-and-management-courses/) - [BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management](https://sic.edu.au/course/bsb50420-diploma-of-leadership-and-management/) - [BSB60420 Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management](https://sic.edu.au/course/bsb60420-advanced-diploma-of-leadership-and-management/) - [Graduate Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/graduate-courses/) - [BSB80120 Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning)](https://sic.edu.au/course/bsb80120-graduate-diploma-of-management-learning/) - [Hospitality Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/hospitality-courses/) - [SIT40516 Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery](https://sic.edu.au/course/sit40516-certificate-iv-in-commercial-cookery/) - [SIT50416 Diploma of Hospitality Management](https://sic.edu.au/course/sit50416-diploma-of-hospitality-management/) - [SIT60316 Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management](https://sic.edu.au/course/sit60316-advanced-diploma-of-hospitality-management/) - [Information Technology Courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/information-technology-courses/) - [ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology](https://sic.edu.au/course/ict50220-diploma-of-information-technology/) - [ICT60220 Advanced Diploma of Information Technology](https://sic.edu.au/course/ict60220-advanced-diploma-of-information-technology/) - [Living in Australia](https://sic.edu.au/living-in-australia/) - [Cost of Living](https://sic.edu.au/living-in-australia#livingcost) - [Working in Australia](https://sic.edu.au/living-in-australia#oshc) - [ESOS Framework](https://sic.edu.au/living-in-australia#esos) - [Admissions](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/) - [How To Apply](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/#how-to-apply) - [Fees](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/fees/) - [Academic Calendar](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/academic-calendar/) - [Under 18](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/under18/) - [Student Visa Information](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/student-visa/) - [Pre Arrival Checklist](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/pre-arrival-checklist/) - [Security](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/security/) - [FAQ](https://sic.edu.au/admissions/faq/) - [Student Services](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/) - [On Arrival](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/on-arrival/) - [Orientation](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/orientation/) - [Policies and Forms](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/policies-and-forms/) - [College Facilities](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/college-facilities/) - [OSHC](https://sic.edu.au/student-services/overseas-student-health-cover/) - [Student Life](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/) - [SIC Community](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#sic-community) - [SIC Culture](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#sic-culture) - [Burwood City](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#burwood-city) - [Student Representatives](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#student-representative) - [SIC Alumni](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#sic-alumni) - [SIC Events](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#sic-events) - [Welfare Resources](https://sic.edu.au/student-life/#welfare-resource) [Apply Now](https://sic.rtomanager.com.au/Publics/PublicsPages/StudentApply/pp_Application_Step0.aspx) [Portal Login](https://sic.rtomanager.com.au/) ![](https://blog.sic.edu.au/hubfs/cookery%20(3).jpg) # How to Work Effectively as a Cook Published by [Skyline International College](https://blog.sic.edu.au/author/skyline-international-college) on Jul 27, 2022 6:30:00 PM It’s no news that Chefs and Cooks are extremely sought-after jobs in today’s society. Many international students are [studying commercial cookery](https://blog.sic.edu.au/top-6-reasons-why-international-students-should-study-commercial-cookery) but being a chef or a professional cook is no easy task. Chefs and cooks are in charge of preparing, cooking and presenting exquisite cuisines for patrons to enjoy which is no small feat. They are under immense pressure to prepare meals on time, organise menus, and basically oversee the running of a kitchen. ![cookery student](https://blog.sic.edu.au/hs-fs/hubfs/cookery%20(3).jpg?width=1125&name=cookery%20(3).jpg) Doing this requires skill, knowledge and great attention to detail. This is what makes Commercial Cookery courses very important because being a chef is more than just cooking. So although you may have the creativity to whip up a meal, can you run a kitchen? Can you make sure all the dishes are delivered to customers on time? Essentially, can you be an effective cook that can be counted on? To be an effective cook, you need to learn the 3 most important skills starting with: ## ORGANISATION AND PREPARATION Being a chef is more than just having the skills to make a meal, you must learn how to work in a team and how to lead them. Being organised and prepared in an establishment is everything, especially in restaurants, hotels, and other food service establishments. Did you prepare for an influx of customers? Can you handle the myriad of orders coming in on a busy night? What happens when you can’t cook, can you ensure that the kitchen is in order and staff know exactly what to do? Are all the ingredients available? Are you going to make sure that pizza night isn’t ruined because your kitchen ran out of pepperoni? Or is your kitchen in absolute chaos?  To work effectively as a chef and professional cook, you must develop a systematic approach to how things are done. You can start by making sure all orders are processed and served in a timely manner, and that the kitchen unit is openly communicating for a coordinated and productive approach to meeting service deadlines. You must establish what has to be achieved before, during and after each service and have a system where each member of your team is aware of their responsibilities. And each variable in the production process has been broken down into detailed plans if you wish to succeed.  But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, the next step is even more important. ## COOKING AND PRESENTING MENU ITEMS Do you know how to use various commercial cooking equipment? Can you work cooperatively as part of a kitchen team? Do you follow workplace safety and hygiene procedures? Do you maintain the cleanliness and tidiness of the work environment? And can you cook menu items?  An effective cook must be familiar with kitchen equipment, how to use the knives, grills, ovens etc and how each piece of equipment operates. You should also know how to take it apart safely, wash it and correctly reassemble it ready for use. That’s not even scratching the surface because you should learn how to cook menu items using appropriate cookery methods. You should be able to adjust menu items and ingredients to meet special requests or dietary requirements of customers. You should be able to work cooperatively as part of a kitchen team, delegate tasks appropriately, follow workplace safety and hygiene procedures and maintain cleanliness and tidiness of the work environment.  So far you’ve learned that being an effective cook is much more than making food, but the information in this article is simply a fraction of what you will learn in our cookery courses. However, there is one final skill you must learn. ## END-OF-SHIFT REQUIREMENTS The final customer walks out the door, you breathe a sigh of relief after a long night, you hand your apron and get ready to go home. Right? Wrong! Because service is over doesn’t mean your night is, as a cook you still have some things to do.  What happens to the leftover food? Tomorrow’s another day so are you restocked? What do you do with the remaining food items you didn’t cook today? Do you just send your staff home without a debrief on how the day went and what could be done to improve? An effective cook does all of the above and even more.  You have to consider feedback from customers and guests on quality and service. You should prepare your team for the required tasks for the next service period, store food items appropriately to minimise food spoilage, contamination and waste, clean dirty equipment and utensils, tidy your work area and many more. ### ARE YOU AN EFFECTIVE COOK? Being an effective cook is not as easy as it seems. And the information presented in this article represents less than one percent of what international students like you will learn as cookery students in SIC. So what next? Things are heating up, the fire is boiling and you have a choice to make. Are you an egg or a potato? Will you become a hardened, seasoned and effective cook like a boiled egg or will you soften up like a boiled potato?  ![Cookery class](https://blog.sic.edu.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Cookery%20class.png?width=2240&name=Cookery%20class.png) The good news is that we create effective cooks that go on to succeed and become leaders in their fields. Do you want to join our alumni of successful cooks? Register for any of our [Commercial Cookery or Hospitality courses](https://sic.edu.au/courses/hospitality-courses/) today or [Enquire](https://sic.edu.au/contact/)[here](https://sic.edu.au/contact/) for more information.  Tags: [Australia](https://blog.sic.edu.au/tag/australia), [International Students](https://blog.sic.edu.au/tag/international-students), [Commercial Cookery](https://blog.sic.edu.au/tag/commercial-cookery), [cook](https://blog.sic.edu.au/tag/cook), [Cookery](https://blog.sic.edu.au/tag/cookery), [Hospitality](https://blog.sic.edu.au/tag/hospitality), [Chef](https://blog.sic.edu.au/tag/chef) [Back to Blog](https://blog.sic.edu.au) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## Recent Posts - [ACCOMMODATIONS IN SYDNEY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS](https://blog.sic.edu.au/accommodations-in-sydney-for-international-students) November 15, 2022 ## Related Articles ## [5 REASONS WHY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SHOULD STUDY COMMERCIAL COOKERY](https://blog.sic.edu.au/top-6-reasons-why-international-students-should-study-commercial-cookery) Choosing a career in life is not easy. If you have just started to think about your future plans or... [Read More](https://blog.sic.edu.au/top-6-reasons-why-international-students-should-study-commercial-cookery) ## [VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING VS HIGHER EDUCATION](https://blog.sic.edu.au/vocational-education-and-training-vs-higher-education) Taking the next step in life is a huge decision that everyone is faced with. One of the biggest... [Read More](https://blog.sic.edu.au/vocational-education-and-training-vs-higher-education) ## [7 Reasons Why Vocational Courses are Good for International Students](https://blog.sic.edu.au/7-reasons-why-vocational-courses-are-good-for-international-students) What is a Vocational Course? A vocational training course, called VET (Vocational Education and... [Read More](https://blog.sic.edu.au/7-reasons-why-vocational-courses-are-good-for-international-students) Register your Interest in the Job ready Program - [Click Here](https://shorturl.at/lxhVb) ![SkylineCollegeLogo-01-02](https://blog.sic.edu.au/hs-fs/hubfs/SkylineCollegeLogo-01-02.png?width=140&name=SkylineCollegeLogo-01-02.png "SkylineCollegeLogo-01-02") © 2022 [Skyline International College](https://sic.edu.au/) All right reserved.