http://www.go.dlr.de/wt/dv/ig/icons/funet/chef.gif

I usually picture a chef as being like the Swedish Chef, from the muppets.

Like the stove in Beauty and the Beast.

When I was about 17 I waited tables at a nice italian restaurant and the chef their was a very large and sweaty individual and to this day that image is stuck in my mind. Not the kind of person I want leaning over the sauce pan preparing my dinner.

I see my son, Jon. He is a trained chef and that is how he makes his living.

Spotless clean, fingernails perfect, stunning white pants and shirt. Not a stain on his hevenly apron, and of course, the big tall white and spotless chefs hat:)

Fat guy, black hair, handle bar mustache, chef hat, and button up white chef outfit.

I close my eyes and think of myself. I am a Chef in my own rights yet limited in my repertoire. My manicotti could compete with anyones, it's that good. Why can't we envision our selves as chefs in our own right?

a fat italian guy with black curly hair and a black mustache, in a white chef coat and chef hat. :)

Me, sporting a toque and dishing out the most lip smacking dishes of them all.

Chef

NO mental image other than chefs I've personally known. Someone working hard in the kitchen, usually with a toque, and usually feeling very hot LOL!!!

A fat Italian guy with handle bar mustache, short black curly hair tucked under the butt cheek looking chef’s hat in white, with a white apron on, and holding a spatula.

Ratatouille:)

NOT including the TALL hat, double-breasted coat, apron and checked or black pants with the neckerchief, here's my image of a Chef: Someone who knows the kitchen; what to do and how to do it. How to properly set-up the right menu for the clientele or business he or she wants to attract. A person who leads by example. He or she knows how to get the best out of his or her crew and the folks he or she works with and for. It’s a combination of many characteristics. Here are my suggestions to being a successful Chef as well as being a successful person: 1] Punctuality: He or she cannot do the job unless He or she is there to do the job. He or she has to be on-time or ahead-of-time for work every day - ready, willing and able to do the job at-hand. If that person is going to be late having the courtesy to telephone, e-mail or text message. 2] Having and keeping a positive mental attitude. 3] Integrity - being honest with one's self as well as with and to all others. NO kickbacks or stealing. This, above all else: “To thine own self, be true! And it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” William Shakespeare 4] Having an open mind. 5] Cleanliness. Period. 6] The ability to learn from others AND teaching still others. 7] Having the ability to make decisions and/or decide AND STICKING with that decision. If and when someone asks “why?” a certain procedure was done (or wasn't done) a certain way, he or she must be able to fully explain his or her reasoning behind that decision. 8A] The ability to properly communicate: Following directions and the orders others may give. Properly reading, writing and speaking. 8B] Knowing what to do and how to do it. 8C] Doing the job at-hand to the best of his or her ability. When there are questions, asking the questions. There’s no such thing as a stupid question. The ONLY stupid question is the question NOT asked. 9] Being part of the overall team. NO job is too small. When it means picking-up that mop [or cleaning the bathrooms and/or other menial tasks] to lend a hand - he or she does it - without bragging or complaining. That absolutely horrible, miserable and selfish expression, “That‘s not my job.” DOES NOT exist. 10] On occasion, staying over to help the following shift OR coming in earlier AND going to work to help the overall operation. AND THEN there‘s that expression: "There is no "I" in "TEAM". 11] Having a sense of humor. 12] Being kind and courteous to others. As a footnote: AND STILL keep his or her wits - without “throwing”/having temper tantrums. Being fair, yet firm. NO favoritism! 13) Volunteering - giving of one's self to a worthy charity or cause. As a matter of fact: Isn’t it true any, many or all of the above can be divided into sub-categories with further explanations? Absolutely! Thanks for asking your Q! I enjoyed answering it! VTY, Ron Berue Yes, that is my real last name! Sources: My wonderful family! Graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, New Haven, CT campus. Was in the Food and Beverage business over 26 years. On a regular, dependable basis, I volunteer at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. "THE University of Hard Knocks" Also known as ("a/k/a") "life's valuable lessons".