Garden angelica

Garde Manger is a French term that translates to "keeper of the food." In the culinary world, a Garde Manger is a cool, well-ventilated area where cold dishes (such as salads, hors d'oeuvres, appetizers, canapés, pâtés and terrines) are prepared and other foods are stored under refrigeration. The person in charge of this area is known as the Chef Garde Manger or Pantry Chef.

History

The term Garde Manger originated in pre-Revolutionary France. At that time, maintaining a large supply of food and beverage was a status symbol among the nobility. It was the responsibility of the Garde Manger to preserve food, manage the inventory of food and beverage, and oversee the preparation of cold dishes.

In modern times, the role of the Garde Manger has evolved. In a professional kitchen, the Garde Manger is a station where cold dishes are prepared and plated, under the supervision of the Chef Garde Manger.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Chef Garde Manger's duties and responsibilities can vary depending on the size and type of the establishment. In smaller kitchens, the Chef Garde Manger may be the only person in charge of the Garde Manger station. In larger kitchens, there may be several chefs and cooks working under the Chef Garde Manger.

Typically, the Chef Garde Manger is responsible for:

• Preparing and plating cold dishes
• Managing the inventory of the Garde Manger station
• Ensuring food safety and sanitation standards are met
• Training and supervising other chefs and cooks
• Creating and developing new recipes for cold dishes

Skills and Qualifications

A Chef Garde Manger needs to have a wide range of culinary skills, as they are often required to prepare a variety of dishes. These can include salads, hors d'oeuvres, charcuterie, cheese plates, and more. They also need to have a good understanding of food safety and sanitation practices.

In terms of qualifications, a Chef Garde Manger typically has a degree or diploma in culinary arts. They also have several years of experience working in a professional kitchen.

See Also

• Culinary Arts
• Chef
• Food Safety
• Charcuterie
• Cheese Plate