Cooking Interview Questions & Answers Download PDF
Enhance your Cooking interview preparation with our set of 47 carefully chosen questions. Each question is crafted to challenge your understanding and proficiency in Cooking. Suitable for all skill levels, these questions are essential for effective preparation. Don't miss out on our free PDF download, containing all 47 questions to help you succeed in your Cooking interview. It's an invaluable tool for reinforcing your knowledge and building confidence.
47 Cooking Questions and Answers:
Cooking Job Interview Questions Table of Contents:
1 :: What about your character makes you a good candidate for this job?
I am a reliable and fast worker. I maintain focused in Rush Points.
2 :: Do you work well under rush hours?
I'm the kind of person who stays calm under pressure, and handles stress fairly easily.
3 :: How did you fill downtime at your last job?
Cleaning,Filling up and prepping for future orders, you never know when a rush point will come in, You have to be filled and prepared for multiple orders.
4 :: What are your weakness as Cooking chef?
Im a very talkative person , probably if there was less movement in the kitchen i would commence talking lol. Aside from that im not very good filleting fish , but it depends on the fish really.
5 :: Can You Handle Being Short-Staffed During a Rush?
If you work as a line cook for any restaurant, you will inevitably be forced to deal with a rush of customers all at once. This typically occurs during common mealtimes-breakfast, lunch and supper. As if the rush itself was not crazy enough, you may be required to handle it while you are short-staffed. Your potential employer will want to know how you will perform during a stressful situation. "I will do my best to follow the guidelines and prepare each order to perfection. I am working to hone my multitasking skills so that I can handle the needs of the restaurant during a rush, even if I have little to no help." This answer shows your employer that you will not crumble under stress.
6 :: Why did you choose this profession as Line Cooks?
Food is my passion and I enjoy experimenting with different flavors.
7 :: Tell us of some of the duties that you performed every day?
(This question is aimed at finding out how much you know about your work and what experience you have had previously. Be precise but make sure that you provide information of important tasks.)
Station set up, food preparation, stocking, cleaning and some amount of cooking are some of the duties that I performed on a daily basis.
Station set up, food preparation, stocking, cleaning and some amount of cooking are some of the duties that I performed on a daily basis.
8 :: How Would You Handle Complaints about Your Food?
No matter how skilled you are, there will always come a time when a customer will be dissatisfied with something you have prepared. Whether or not you feel that you made an error, the customer is always right. You should answer with "I would listen very carefully to the complaint and resolve the issue by anticipating the needs of the customer. I may ask questions to discover the nature of the complaint and take the proper steps to ensure that the error does not occur a second time." No matter how serious or slight the issue, there is always something to be learned. Your interviewer will want to make sure that you will not take small complaints too seriously or more complex complaints too lightly.
9 :: Share a major achievement you have made as a line cook previously?
I contributed a special sauce recipe to serve with the restaurant's most famous Crisp Fried Fish and it was included in the menu. I also initiated and implemented high quality safe and hygienic work station practices at the restaurant which were highly commended by the sous chef
10 :: Can You Handle Working with a Coworker You Are Not Fond Of?
Regardless of where or in which setting you work, there will sometimes be an individual with whom you clash. Perhaps you do not see eye to eye or you use different techniques to accomplish the same tasks. In any case, you will need to show your employer that you can handle working with that individual in a professional setting. "My personal feelings about a coworker will not affect my ability to produce high quality food for customers. There is always some sort of resolution that can be reached, and I would work toward that." This shows your interviewer that you are willing to go to great lengths to ensure that the quality of the restaurant will not be affected by your dislike for another employee.
11 :: If you have different orders and you are on the line alone, how will you manage that?
Depends on the orders and there methods cooked , i would attempt to do them alone , if im in the weeds i either stay calm , breathe , and try to get everything out orderly to feed everyone m or ask for help to a disoccupied chef.
12 :: How Do You Maintain Safety in the Kitchen?
When you prepare food for the general public, it is important that you keep things safe for not only your customers, but also for yourself and your coworkers. If you have a food safety certificate, this is a great time to present it. At the same time, you can mention some of the safety tips that mean the most to you. Even if you do not have a certificate, you should be sure to list some of the things you would do. "I would ensure that all of the ingredients I use are fresh, I would wear gloves and wash my hands often, and I would always let other employees know if I am walking behind them with a hot dish or pan."
13 :: First Line Cook interview questions:
Give me an example of a high-pressure situation for Line Cook.
Tell me about a time when you had to give someone difficult feedback.
How do you go about setting goals with subordinates?
How did you get work assignments at your most recent employer?
How did you handle meeting a tight deadline?
Situation where others disagreed with your ideas.
Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
Always associate your skills and experience with the requirements of the job.
Explain that you are looking for a new challenge, better career prospects or a change of environment. The interviewer wants to find out if you are focused and set goals for yourself.
Tell me about a time when you had to give someone difficult feedback.
How do you go about setting goals with subordinates?
How did you get work assignments at your most recent employer?
How did you handle meeting a tight deadline?
Situation where others disagreed with your ideas.
Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
Always associate your skills and experience with the requirements of the job.
Explain that you are looking for a new challenge, better career prospects or a change of environment. The interviewer wants to find out if you are focused and set goals for yourself.
14 :: Cooking Interview Questions:
► Imagine you see a product getting low, but you are working on a completely different task. What would you do?
► Tell me about a time at work when you did something without being asked?
► Imagine you need to make a product, but you do not have all the ingredients you need. What would you do?
► Imagine multiple people complained to you about a meal you prepared.
► How would you handle their complaints?
► Describe a time you helped a coworker who was struggling to complete a task.
► Tell me about a fast-paced environment in which you have worked. How did you handle it?
► Describe a time when you had to work with a co-worker with whom you were not fond. How did you handle the situation?
► How long can you stand on your feet without a break?
► What steps do you take to make sure your tasks are completed in the allotted amount of time?
► How important is it to you to keep your work space clean?
► What measures do you take to ensure safety in the kitchen?
► What training (formal or informal) have you had in cooking?
► Tell me about a time at work when you did something without being asked?
► Imagine you need to make a product, but you do not have all the ingredients you need. What would you do?
► Imagine multiple people complained to you about a meal you prepared.
► How would you handle their complaints?
► Describe a time you helped a coworker who was struggling to complete a task.
► Tell me about a fast-paced environment in which you have worked. How did you handle it?
► Describe a time when you had to work with a co-worker with whom you were not fond. How did you handle the situation?
► How long can you stand on your feet without a break?
► What steps do you take to make sure your tasks are completed in the allotted amount of time?
► How important is it to you to keep your work space clean?
► What measures do you take to ensure safety in the kitchen?
► What training (formal or informal) have you had in cooking?
15 :: Situational Kitchen line cooks interview questions:
► What attracted you to this company?
► How do you evaluate your ability to handle conflict?
► What would make you happy in a job?
► Describe a recent unpopular decision you made.
► Do you have the qualities and skills necessary to succeed in your career?
► How do you evaluate your ability to handle conflict?
► What would make you happy in a job?
► Describe a recent unpopular decision you made.
► Do you have the qualities and skills necessary to succeed in your career?
16 :: Basic Line Cook interview questions:
► Example when you went above and beyond the call of duty.
► Do you think you are overqualified for this Line Cook position?
► What do you do when your schedule is interrupted? How you handle it.
► How have you changed in the last five years?
► What was the most stressful situation you have facedas as Line Cook?
► What personal weakness has caused you the greatest difficulty in school or at work?
► How do you stimulate the sharing of further information?
Make sure to have a specific idea of where you envision yourself in five, ten and even twenty years.
The interviewer is trying to see how well you would fit in to the position.
Start with the present and tell why you are well qualified for the position.
► Do you think you are overqualified for this Line Cook position?
► What do you do when your schedule is interrupted? How you handle it.
► How have you changed in the last five years?
► What was the most stressful situation you have facedas as Line Cook?
► What personal weakness has caused you the greatest difficulty in school or at work?
► How do you stimulate the sharing of further information?
Make sure to have a specific idea of where you envision yourself in five, ten and even twenty years.
The interviewer is trying to see how well you would fit in to the position.
Start with the present and tell why you are well qualified for the position.
17 :: Video Based Kitchen line cooks interview questions:
► How have you changed in the last five years?
► What problems have you encountered at work?
► What was the most important task you ever had?
► What was the most stressful situation you have faced?
► If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
Don't spend a lot of time on these Kitchen line cooks interview questions.
Emphasize benefits to the company. Be prepared to discuss in detail and with examples your five or six main attributes.
► What problems have you encountered at work?
► What was the most important task you ever had?
► What was the most stressful situation you have faced?
► If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
Don't spend a lot of time on these Kitchen line cooks interview questions.
Emphasize benefits to the company. Be prepared to discuss in detail and with examples your five or six main attributes.
18 :: Strengths and Weaknesses based Kitchen line cooks interview questions:
► What are you expecting from this firm in the future?
► What is your greatest achievement outside of work?
► Would you rather write a report or give it verbally?
► Tell us about the last time you had to negotiate with someone.
► What do you believe are your key strengths?
► What is your greatest achievement outside of work?
► Would you rather write a report or give it verbally?
► Tell us about the last time you had to negotiate with someone.
► What do you believe are your key strengths?
19 :: Competency Based Kitchen line cooks interview questions:
► Describe a situation in which you had to collect information.
► What would you say are your strong points?
► What techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organized?
► When given an important assignment, how do you approach it?
► How do you feel about taking no for an answer?
► What would you say are your strong points?
► What techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organized?
► When given an important assignment, how do you approach it?
► How do you feel about taking no for an answer?
20 :: Face to Face Line Cook interview questions:
► How have you gone about making important decisions?
► What type of management style do you thrive under?
► If selected for this Line Cook position, describe your strategy for the first days?
► Are you willing to work overtime?
► How would you feel about working for someone who knows less than you?
► What are key tasks for Line Cook?
► What were the responsibilities of your last position?
Asking these interview questions helps determine the candidate's ability to learn from successes and failures.
When interviewing, spend a few minutes describing your ideal environment so both sides can make an informed decision. Don't talk about yourself too much.
► What type of management style do you thrive under?
► If selected for this Line Cook position, describe your strategy for the first days?
► Are you willing to work overtime?
► How would you feel about working for someone who knows less than you?
► What are key tasks for Line Cook?
► What were the responsibilities of your last position?
Asking these interview questions helps determine the candidate's ability to learn from successes and failures.
When interviewing, spend a few minutes describing your ideal environment so both sides can make an informed decision. Don't talk about yourself too much.
21 :: Mix Cooking, Server & Foodservice Worker, Hostess, Dishwasher Job Interview Questions:
► What situations, during the last year, have kept you from fulfilling your job duties and coming to work on time?
► How do you handle situations that could cause tardiness or absenteeism?
► Everybody misses work sometimes. What are some legitimate reasons to miss work?
► During the last year, when your replacement hasn't shown up and your manager asked you to stay late, what percentage of the time have you stayed late?
► What outside situations would affect your dependability on the job?
► Why do you think dependability is important for a restaurant cook?
► When you do not show up for work, how does it affect your co-workers?
► How many unscheduled absences did you have with your previous employer?
► How often are you late for work?
► Where does your employment fall in your list of priorities?
► Do you have your own transportation?
► Could I call your previous employer and ask how your attendance was and what would they tell me about your attendance?
► As a cook, if you see an increase or decrease in customer flow, how do you respond?
► If you see product getting low, what would you do?
► Give an example of a time when you did something without being asked? Can you give me another example?
► How would you handle not having everything in stock that you need to make the product you are assigned?
► What about your character would help you do this job day in and day out?
► The restaurant is busy, you're tired, short-handed and you haven't had a day off in six days. How does this affect your work and attitude?
► Tell me about the hardest job you have ever had? How did it end?
► How many hours can you stand on your feet without a break?
► What would your reaction be if your replacement didn't show up?
► How do you pace yourself through the day?
► What would you do if a 30 top table walked in?
► Are you willing to take on extra tasks or what kind of extra tasks would you be willing to take on?
► How do you handle complaints about meals you have prepared?
► What steps would you take to insure your job is done in your allotted amount of time?
► What would you do if a delivery driver accidentally left double the number of an item that his company charges us a lot of money for?
► Tell me about a time you saw a coworker taking out food they did not pay for?
► If you are shopping and the item you would like is not available in your brand, would buy something else?
► How do handle requests to work a non-scheduled shift?
► How do you respond when your manager changes your shift on short notice?
► How do you handle working with a co-worker you are not fond of?
► What if you get a special request from a customer, what do you do?
► If another work needs help in order to get a job finished on time, what would you do?
► You are cooking for dinner and the convection oven goes out, what would you do?
► Your boss changes the special, what would you do?
► How do you handle situations that could cause tardiness or absenteeism?
► Everybody misses work sometimes. What are some legitimate reasons to miss work?
► During the last year, when your replacement hasn't shown up and your manager asked you to stay late, what percentage of the time have you stayed late?
► What outside situations would affect your dependability on the job?
► Why do you think dependability is important for a restaurant cook?
► When you do not show up for work, how does it affect your co-workers?
► How many unscheduled absences did you have with your previous employer?
► How often are you late for work?
► Where does your employment fall in your list of priorities?
► Do you have your own transportation?
► Could I call your previous employer and ask how your attendance was and what would they tell me about your attendance?
► As a cook, if you see an increase or decrease in customer flow, how do you respond?
► If you see product getting low, what would you do?
► Give an example of a time when you did something without being asked? Can you give me another example?
► How would you handle not having everything in stock that you need to make the product you are assigned?
► What about your character would help you do this job day in and day out?
► The restaurant is busy, you're tired, short-handed and you haven't had a day off in six days. How does this affect your work and attitude?
► Tell me about the hardest job you have ever had? How did it end?
► How many hours can you stand on your feet without a break?
► What would your reaction be if your replacement didn't show up?
► How do you pace yourself through the day?
► What would you do if a 30 top table walked in?
► Are you willing to take on extra tasks or what kind of extra tasks would you be willing to take on?
► How do you handle complaints about meals you have prepared?
► What steps would you take to insure your job is done in your allotted amount of time?
► What would you do if a delivery driver accidentally left double the number of an item that his company charges us a lot of money for?
► Tell me about a time you saw a coworker taking out food they did not pay for?
► If you are shopping and the item you would like is not available in your brand, would buy something else?
► How do handle requests to work a non-scheduled shift?
► How do you respond when your manager changes your shift on short notice?
► How do you handle working with a co-worker you are not fond of?
► What if you get a special request from a customer, what do you do?
► If another work needs help in order to get a job finished on time, what would you do?
► You are cooking for dinner and the convection oven goes out, what would you do?
► Your boss changes the special, what would you do?
22 :: Behavioral Kitchen line cooks interview questions:
► How long would you stay with our company?
► Are you planning to continue your studies?
► What do you like and dislike about the job we are discussing?
► Give me an example of a high-pressure situation?
► How do you decide what gets top priority when scheduling your time?
► Are you planning to continue your studies?
► What do you like and dislike about the job we are discussing?
► Give me an example of a high-pressure situation?
► How do you decide what gets top priority when scheduling your time?
23 :: Informational Line Cook interview questions:
► Give an example of situations when your leadership skills were needed.
► What do you feel is the best educational preparation for this Line Cook job?
► How did you handle meeting a tight deadline?
► Describe a situation in which you had to collect information.
► Do you know anyone who works as Line Cook at this company?
► What salary are you seeking?
► Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled implementing it.
► What do you feel is the best educational preparation for this Line Cook job?
► How did you handle meeting a tight deadline?
► Describe a situation in which you had to collect information.
► Do you know anyone who works as Line Cook at this company?
► What salary are you seeking?
► Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled implementing it.
24 :: General Line Cook interview questions:
► Do you have the qualities and skills necessary to Line Cook?
► Why are you the best person for this Line Cook job?
► What has been your biggest professional disappointment?
► Describe some ideas that were implemented.
► How long will it take for you to make a significant contribution?
► What was the most important task you ever had?
► What questions do you have for me?
Make sure to have a specific idea of where you envision yourself in five, ten and even twenty years. This is a good time to illustrate how you can contribute to the company if you are successfully recruited. Be careful and be positive. Describe more features that you liked than disliked.
► Why are you the best person for this Line Cook job?
► What has been your biggest professional disappointment?
► Describe some ideas that were implemented.
► How long will it take for you to make a significant contribution?
► What was the most important task you ever had?
► What questions do you have for me?
Make sure to have a specific idea of where you envision yourself in five, ten and even twenty years. This is a good time to illustrate how you can contribute to the company if you are successfully recruited. Be careful and be positive. Describe more features that you liked than disliked.
25 :: Communication skills based Kitchen line cooks interview questions:
► What have you been doing since your last job?
► What relevant experience do you have?
► What do you think this position involves.
► What major challenges and problems did you face?
► Who has impacted you most in your career and how?
Try to avoid specific classifications, whatever it may be.
Discuss any attributes that may set you apart from other job candidates. Answer all Kitchen line cooks interview questions honestly and stay focused throughout the hiring process.
► What relevant experience do you have?
► What do you think this position involves.
► What major challenges and problems did you face?
► Who has impacted you most in your career and how?
Try to avoid specific classifications, whatever it may be.
Discuss any attributes that may set you apart from other job candidates. Answer all Kitchen line cooks interview questions honestly and stay focused throughout the hiring process.
