What role does the head chef play in a kitchen?

The head chef is primarily responsible for overseeing all kitchen operations and managing the kitchen staff. This includes planning and coordinating food production, ensuring quality standards are met, and maintaining a safe and efficient kitchen environment. The head chef plays a crucial role in menu design, food presentation, and ingredient selection, while also taking charge of training and supervising kitchen personnel. This position is vital for maintaining consistency in the food served and ensuring that the kitchen runs smoothly during service hours.

In contrast, the other roles mentioned do not align with the primary responsibilities of a head chef. Tasks such as washing dishes and maintaining cleanliness are typically assigned to kitchen staff or dishwashers. Developing a restaurant's marketing strategy usually falls to the restaurant’s management or marketing team rather than the kitchen staff. Serving customers at the front of the house is part of the responsibilities of front-of-house staff, such as servers or hosts, rather than the head chef, whose focus is on kitchen operations.