Interviewing For Chef Positions: Common Questions and Practical Considerations
When chefs interview cooks, they aim to find individuals who possess not just technical skills but also the personality traits required to thrive in a high-pressure kitchen environment. Here's a breakdown of the common types of questions chefs will often ask during the interview process.
Technical Skills and Experience
Before diving into the interview, chefs typically clarify the availability of the potential hire. Ensuring that the candidate is available to work the required hours is crucial as it can prevent scheduling conflicts and maintain the kitchen’s operational flow. After confirming availability, chefs delve into the candidate's technical skills and experience.
Cooking Techniques: Chefs will assess the candidate's mastery of various cooking techniques, from sautéing to braising, ensuring they can handle a range of dishes. Kitchen Equipment: Understanding how to efficiently use and maintain kitchen equipment is essential. Chefs will often inquire about specific equipment knowledge, like how to properly use a sauté pan or a blowtorch. Food Safety: Ensuring that the kitchen adheres to strict health and safety standards, chefs ask about the candidate's knowledge of foodborne illnesses, cross-contamination, and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).Practical Assessment and Experience
A hands-on assessment, such as a cooking test, is often a key part of the interview. This can take the form of preparing a specific dish under pressure, demonstrating knife skills, or other relevant culinary skills.
Experience and Background: Chefs will ask about previous employment, menu knowledge, and specific job roles. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their past positions, including the dishes they specialized in, which can be crucial if the chef is looking for someone with a specific background.
Previous Employment: Discussing past kitchens, job lengths, reasons for leaving, and the type of dishes prepared can provide insight into the candidate's suitability. Menu Knowledge: Understanding the menu and the ability to adapt recipes to meet specific requirements is important. Discussing how the candidate has contributed to menu development can be a valuable discussion point.Personality and Interpersonal Skills
In addition to technical skills, chefs value candidates with strong interpersonal skills. The kitchen environment can be high-pressure, and a candidate's ability to handle stress, work effectively within a team, and exhibit creativity and adaptability can make all the difference.
Handling Stress: Chefs will assess how the candidate manages stress, from last-minute changes to unexpected challenges. Demonstrating a calm and positive demeanor can be crucial. Team Dynamics: Collaboration and teamwork are essential. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their role in team dynamics and how they contribute to a positive kitchen environment. Creativity and Adaptability: How a candidate contributes to menu development and adapts to changing requirements can be a significant factor in their hireability. Discussing specific examples of creativity in the kitchen can be helpful.Career Goals and Personal Attributes
Understanding a candidate's career goals and personal attributes, such as passion for cooking and dedication to the craft, can also be important.
Career Goals: Candidates should be able to articulate their long-term career aspirations, which can align with the chef’s vision for the kitchen. Passion for Cooking: Explaining why they love cooking and what aspect of the craft they most enjoy can help establish a strong connection with the chef.Practical Applications in the Kitchen
After covered the formal interview aspects, chefs may proceed to a practical assessment, such as a cooking test. This allows the candidate to demonstrate their skills in a controlled environment and provides a tangible way for the chef to see if the candidate can perform under pressure.
One chef, for example, emphasizes the importance of availability, stating, 'The first thing I’ll iron out with a potential hire are the work hours. They must be available to work when I need them to work and I make sure they fully understand when my shifts start and when they end.' This ensures that the kitchen’s operational needs are met without disruptions. Following the availability check, the chef proceeds to ask about previous experience, emphasizing the candidate's strengths and what they bring to the kitchen.
Finally, a tour of the kitchen, highlighting the demanding nature of the job, is a common practice. This tour provides the candidate with a realistic expectation of the work environment and allows the chef to assess the candidate’s interest and commitment to the job.
Overall, chefs aim to find a balance between technical skills and personal attributes, ensuring they hire a candidate who can contribute to the kitchen’s success and maintain a positive and efficient work environment.