CHEF’S COMPETENCY AS A KEY ELEMENT IN FOOD TOURISM SUCCESS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

The chef expertise is considered a key to food tourism success. However, studies to identify the competencies of successful chefs are still scarce. This literature review study aims to identify the chef's skill to succeed in his career. There are 38 relevant articles reviewed using the grounded theory method. The results reveal that the chef's competencies include functional competencies, core competencies, and general competencies. The chef's functional competency is culinary expertise that provides for cooking skills, taste and food knowledge, and service tightening. Chef's core competencies include conceptual ability, cleanliness, and business sense. Meanwhile, general competence consists of interpersonal, leadership, managerial, and motivational skills. The identification of chef competencies is used as a guide for culinary educators and trainers for sustainable careers development in the culinary profession.

Keywords

• chef
• competencies
• culinary
• hospitality
• food tourism