A grill cook is a type of chef that specializes in preparing all types of grilled foods. Although a grill cook, whose title and job role is interchangeable with that of grill chef, most often works with meat, his or her job can also involve working with a wide variety other foods and vegetables. Regardless of the particular job, all grill cook jobs requires highly specialized culinary training.
Job Description
In some cases, a grill cook may work exclusively on the grill station in a standard kitchen that serves a wide variety of foods prepared in many different ways. In other cases, however, a grill cook may work in a restaurant that primarily serves grilled foods. In the latter scenario, the role of the grill cook will be highly specialized.
A grill cook must be have special training in the art of cooking meat so that they are able to cook steaks and other cuts of meat to each customer’s exact specifications while simultaneously maintaining full control of the grill station. Even if the grill cook has assistants helping them, he or she is always fully responsible for the quality of all food that leaves the grill station.
Although maintaining high standards of health and safety is important for all chefs, it is more critical for grill chefs to successfully do so as they handle so much meat. Raw meat that is handled or stored improperly can cause serious health issues and must always be prepared and stored separately from other types of food.
Depending on the establishment, grill cooks typically work the same kinds of hours as other types of chefs. As such, grill cooks typically work in shifts which often rotate or have hours that change often.
Duties and Responsibilities
In addition to preparing grilled foods, a grill chef may also be called up to fry, bake or even microwave meat, poultry and fish dishes as part of their duties. A grill cook is also sometimes responsible for preparing these dishes prior to being cooked, which may involve cutting or carving meat, fish or poultry; as well as assembling, measuring, and mixing other ingredients for each particular dish.
A grill cook may work independently or may be in charge of supervising a small team of assistants. Other tasks that a grill cook may be charged with include ensuring that ingredients are stored properly and maintaining an inventory of food and other items needed for the grill station.
Salary
The average salary for a grill cook is about $25,000. However, salaries for this position may also be as low as $15,000 depending on the grill cook’s experience, the size of the employer, and the geographic location of the job. The average hourly wage for a grill cook job is $10 per hour.