Cook

What is your previous experience as a cook?

The candidate is expected to share their work and/or educational history related to cooking, including information about restaurants, hotels, or institutions where they have worked. They are also expected to mention specific skills they have developed in their previous roles, such as knowledge of different types of cuisine (Italian, French, Asian, etc.), the ability to work with a wide variety of ingredients, handling multiple orders at the same time, and knowledge of advanced culinary techniques.

What type of food do you most enjoy cooking?

The candidate is expected to mention their personal preferences and specific culinary skills, and be able to argue why they believe they are best suited to that particular type of cuisine. They are also expected to mention any previous experience they have working with that particular type of cuisine and food products.

Do you have experience leading and supervising a kitchen team?

If the candidate has worked as head cook in a kitchen or has been responsible for managing a kitchen team, they are expected to describe their experience and the skills they have developed to lead and motivate other cooks and kitchen assistants. They are expected to mention their ability to delegate responsibilities, provide helpful feedback, and motivate others in a fast-paced work environment.

How do you handle stress and pressure in the kitchen?

The candidate is expected to describe how they handle high-pressure and stressful situations in the kitchen while working on a dish or facing a large number of orders simultaneously. They are also expected to mention specific skills they have developed to manage time and efficiently administer kitchen resources (such as storage space, ingredients, and equipment).

Are you able to follow recipes and create new ones?

The candidate is expected to describe their experience developing recipes and their ability to follow one correctly. They are also expected to show some ability to experiment with and modify recipes when required.

Are you trained in hygienic measures for food handling?

Hygienic food handling is essential to prevent food contamination. The candidate is expected to mention their training and previous experience in sanitary techniques for food handling and how they have implemented these skills in previous roles where they have worked. They are also expected to mention their ability to maintain a clean and organized work environment and to ensure the cleanliness of kitchen utensils and equipment.

How do you organize your workstation and plan ingredient preparation before service?

The candidate is expected to describe how they organize their station and plan the advance preparation of ingredients (mise en place) to work in an orderly and fast manner during service, and how they make the most of supplies to reduce waste.