What Does a Chef Do?
Join Owlo and Koko as they explore the exciting world of chefs and discover all the delicious things they do in the kitchen!
About this story
Join Owlo and Koko as they explore the exciting world of chefs and discover all the delicious things they do in the kitchen!
What you'll learn
- Understand what a chef does beyond cooking
- Learn about different kitchen tools and ingredients
- Explore the importance of teamwork in cooking
Owlo! Owlo! Something smells so good today. What is that amazing smell coming from the school kitchen?
Good nose, Koko! Chef Mara is here today. She is cooking a special lunch for everyone at school.
A chef! I know that word. A chef is someone who cooks food, right?
That is right! But a chef does so much more than just cook. Would you like to find out what a chef really does?
Yes please! Can we go see Chef Mara? Can we, can we?
I already asked her, and she said we are very welcome. Let us head to the kitchen.
Wow, this kitchen is so big! There are pots and pans everywhere. And it smells like soup and warm bread.
Chef Mara, thank you so much for having us. Koko has been very curious about what a chef does.
Hi Chef Mara! Do you just cook all day? That sounds like the best job ever.
Actually, Koko, a chef's day starts long before the cooking begins. Chef Mara, would you like to explain?
There is stuff to do before cooking? Like what?
A chef first decides what meals to make. That is called planning the menu. It takes a lot of thinking and creativity.
So a chef is like an artist, but instead of painting, they make food?
That is a wonderful way to think about it, Koko. Chefs are absolutely creative artists. Their kitchen is their studio.
And do they go shopping too? Like at the market for vegetables and things?
Exactly! A chef checks what ingredients are needed and makes sure everything is fresh. Fresh ingredients make food taste its best.
What is an ingredient? Is that a big word for the stuff you put in food?
Perfectly explained, Koko. An ingredient is anything you use to make a dish. Flour, eggs, tomatoes — those are all ingredients.
Oh! So when I helped my mom make soup, the carrots and onions were the ingredients?
Exactly right. And a good chef knows which ingredients go well together. That knowledge takes a lot of practice and learning.
This big pot is bubbling. It smells like tomatoes and something warm and spicy. What is Chef Mara making?
That is a tomato vegetable soup. A chef also tastes the food while cooking, to make sure the flavour is just right.
Tasting is part of the job? That really does sound like the best job ever.
It is a very important part. A chef also keeps the kitchen clean and safe. A messy kitchen can cause accidents.
So a chef plans the food, buys the ingredients, cooks everything, tastes it, and keeps things clean. That is a lot of work!
It truly is. And when the food is ready, the chef makes sure every plate looks beautiful before it goes out.
They make it look pretty too? Why does that matter if you are just going to eat it?
Because how food looks makes you excited to eat it. Have you ever seen a cake decorated with colourful icing?
Yes! And I always want to eat it straight away because it looks so beautiful. I never thought about that before.
That is exactly what a chef wants you to feel. Chefs care about how food looks, smells, and of course, tastes.
Owlo, I think I want to be a chef one day. Or maybe a chef and an explorer. Can you be both?
You absolutely can. Many chefs travel the world to discover new flavours and ingredients. Now that sounds like a Koko adventure.
Okay, before we go, can you help me remember everything we learned today?
A chef plans the menu, which means deciding what food to make. They buy fresh ingredients, which are all the things that go into a dish. Then they cook, taste, and make sure everything looks lovely on the plate. Oh, and they keep the kitchen clean and safe too. Basically, a chef is a creative artist who feeds people and makes them happy. And one day, that chef might be me!
That is a perfect summary, Koko. And next time, maybe we can learn about where our food comes from before it even reaches the kitchen.
Yes! Like farms and gardens and all of that? I cannot wait!
