 | The examples and perspective in this articlemay not represent aworldwide view of the subject. You mayimprove this article, discuss the issue on thetalk page, orcreate a new article, as appropriate.(September 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Acook orprivate chef is a household staff member responsible for food preparation.
The term can refer to the head ofkitchen staff in agreat house or to the cook-housekeeper, a far less prestigious position involving more physical labour.
The cook in an English great house was traditionally female; today's residences may employ a head cook orchef who may be of either gender.
The cook is responsible for the preparation of daily meals and menus, as well as menus for parties and other special occasions. The cook is also responsible for the ordering of food, the maintenance of the kitchen and for keeping accounts with local merchants. The holder of the position reports directly to thelady of the house or sometimes to thehousekeeper.
The cook supervises all kitchen staff. In large households, especially at anoble or royal court, this comprises an elaborate hierarchy, at the bottom of which come the kitchen boys (who, despite the name, were not always minors), in the largest households even further subdivided, perhaps the lowliest position being that of spitboy or turnbroach, who had to remain close to the hot fire to turn the roasting meat; there were six atHampton Court palace inHenry VIII's reign.
There can be occasional staff conflicts over who supervisesbetween staff, who may have duties that bring them into the realms of the cook, the housekeeper and thebutler.
In the hierarchy ofdomestic service, a cook usually earned her position throughapprenticeship, perhaps beginning in service as akitchen maid.
Today's cooks are likely to have spent years in domestic service in different households, or have gone to cooking school. Few modern families can afford retinues of domestic workers, so the cook is often expected to be acook-housekeeper and responsible for cleaning and nannying as well.