What is the primary responsibility of a sous chef?

The primary responsibility of a sous chef is to supervise and assist other chefs in the kitchen. This role is crucial because the sous chef acts as the right-hand person to the head chef, ensuring that the kitchen runs smoothly. They help oversee the cooking process, manage the kitchen staff, and maintain the overall workflow, which includes coordinating tasks and aligning efforts among the team.

While managing kitchen operations is a part of the sous chef's duties, it is typically the head chef who carries the ultimate responsibility for all kitchen operations. Preparing ingredients for line cooks is a task that can be part of a sous chef's role but is not their primary duty. Similarly, while making desserts and pastries might fall under the skill set of a sous chef, it is generally a specialized task that may not encompass the full range of their responsibilities, which focus more on leadership and support within the kitchen environment.