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| What does a CDP do for become a Sous Chef? |
CDP do for become a Sous Chef
Chef de Partie CDP never become Sous Chef is not because of skill, but because of their mindset. There are plenty of CDP in every kitchen, but only a few actually grow into dependable leaders.
My turning point came when I faced my own shortcomings and changed those to my strengths.
Here’s what truly prepared me for the Sous Chef role
And here’s how you can do the same:
1. Stop behaving like a “section machine”
If you only focus on your station, you’ll stay stuck.
Start looking at the entire kitchen as your responsibility.
Start looking at the entire kitchen as your responsibility.
2. Make your section run without you
Train your juniors to handle the section smoothly in your absence.
A future leader shouldn’t be tied to one corner of the kitchen.
A future leader shouldn’t be tied to one corner of the kitchen.
3. Become the Chef’s “solution person”
Don’t just report problems — fix them.
Be the person who stabilizes prep, boosts service flow, and reduces wastage before it becomes an issue.
Be the person who stabilizes prep, boosts service flow, and reduces wastage before it becomes an issue.
4. Work on your calmness, not your volume
Anyone can shout.
Only a leader can stay composed in pressure.
Communicate clearly and respectfully — that’s real authority.
Only a leader can stay composed in pressure.
Communicate clearly and respectfully — that’s real authority.
5. Learn costing, ordering & planning
Understanding food cost, yield, portioning, and inventory is what separates a CDP from a Sous Chef.
Build a manager’s mindset, not just a cook’s mindset.
Build a manager’s mindset, not just a cook’s mindset.
6. Make training your daily habit
Your growth depends on your team’s growth.
Train your commis in techniques, hygiene, tasting, speed, organization — every single day.
Train your commis in techniques, hygiene, tasting, speed, organization — every single day.
7. Take full ownership
When things go wrong, don’t blame.
Ask yourself:
“How can I fix this now and prevent it next time?”
That’s the mindset of a real leader.
Ask yourself:
“How can I fix this now and prevent it next time?”
That’s the mindset of a real leader.
A lesson for you:
If the same mistake repeats, don’t just fix the dish —
fix the system, the prep, the setup, and the skill gap behind it.
fix the system, the prep, the setup, and the skill gap behind it.
That’s how you shift from CDP thinking to Sous Chef thinking.
Becoming a Sous Chef is not just a promotion — it’s a transformation.
Change your mindset before you change your title.