Although people in general society may look down upon the cook and think of the work as a background job, the position of cook is considered important in Zen temples because cooking and eating meals are also regarded as important aspects of training, and the cook is a position that can do intoku (do good in secret without expecting a reward).
一般に炊事係は「飯炊き」「裏方」などと呼ばれ低く見られがちであるが、禅宗寺院では食事の調理、喫飯も重要な修行の一つとされ、また陰徳（人知れず徳行を積むこと）を行ずる立場であることから重要な役職とされる。