How should I structure the application process in a Line cook job description?

Date modified: 29th September 2025 | This FAQ page has been written by Pilla Founder, Liam Jones, click to email Liam directly, he reads every email.

Restaurant Duty Manager Job Description Template

This job description template provides a full working exmaple using our six step approach. Open the template in the Pilla app and customise each section to make it specific to your role and business.

We operate a successful restaurant serving 180+ covers daily with emphasis on operational excellence, team leadership, and exceptional guest experiences. Our duty manager oversees daily operations during designated shifts, ensuring smooth service delivery and staff coordination. This role combines operational management with hands-on support, leading teams while maintaining service standards and handling escalated situations. You'll work in a fast-paced environment managing both front-of-house and back-of-house coordination during busy service periods. The position offers excellent progression opportunities including general manager and multi-site management roles, with involvement in staff development, operational improvements, and business growth within our restaurant group.
• Oversee daily restaurant operations during assigned shifts including service coordination and quality control • Manage and motivate front-of-house and back-of-house teams ensuring efficient collaboration and communication • Handle escalated guest complaints and service issues with professionalism and effective resolution strategies • Monitor service standards and food quality, implementing corrective actions when necessary • Manage staff scheduling, break coverage, and shift assignments to optimize operational efficiency • Oversee opening and closing procedures including cash handling, security protocols, and facility checks • Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, food safety protocols, and licensing requirements • Coordinate with kitchen management on service flow, special requirements, and timing optimization • Handle administrative duties including sales reporting, inventory management, and incident documentation • Implement company policies and procedures while maintaining positive team morale and performance • Manage cash handling procedures, till reconciliation, and financial accountability during shifts • Support staff training, performance management, and development initiatives
Essential Skills: Proven management experience with ability to lead diverse teams under pressure; comprehensive understanding of restaurant operations including service, kitchen, and administrative functions; strong problem-solving abilities for handling operational challenges and guest complaints; excellent communication skills for staff management and guest relations; financial awareness including cash handling, cost control, and basic P&L understanding; knowledge of health and safety, food safety, and employment regulations. Preferred Qualifications: 3+ years restaurant management or supervisory experience; hospitality management qualification or equivalent professional training; experience with POS systems, scheduling software, and operational technology; wine and beverage knowledge for comprehensive service oversight; additional language skills for diverse teams and guest demographics; conflict resolution and performance management training.
We're looking for experienced restaurant professionals with at least 3 years in management or senior supervisory roles, demonstrating ability to lead teams and manage operations effectively. You should have solid understanding of restaurant operations, natural leadership skills, and proven track record in hospitality management. While formal management qualifications are valuable, we care more about your practical experience, problem-solving ability, and commitment to operational excellence. We provide ongoing management development including advanced leadership training and operational skills enhancement. Career advancement opportunities include general manager, area manager, and regional management positions within our expanding restaurant group. We support professional growth through management training programs, mentoring relationships, and cross-functional experience opportunities.
We're looking for someone who combines strong operational knowledge with inspirational leadership qualities, motivating teams while maintaining exacting standards for service quality and operational efficiency. You should be decisive under pressure, able to prioritize multiple demands, and skilled at developing team capabilities. The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence for staff management, and commitment to creating positive workplace culture. You should be organized, analytical, and able to balance business objectives with team development and guest satisfaction. We value collaborative leadership, continuous improvement mindset, and results-oriented approach, seeking someone who drives operational success while fostering team growth and maintaining our service standards.
Competitive management salary of £28,000-£34,000 annually based on experience and operational capabilities, with quarterly performance reviews and merit-based advancement opportunities. Comprehensive management benefits package includes: performance bonus structure tied to operational KPIs and guest satisfaction metrics; nutritious staff meals during all shifts; 28 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays and professional development time. Leadership development opportunities including management training programs, operational certifications, and potential advancement to senior management roles. Health and wellness benefits, flexible working arrangements where possible, and management recognition programs celebrating operational excellence and team development achievements.

Structure efficient line cook application process including straightforward application requirements covering CV and cover letter with clear experience presentation, experience verification and reference checking from previous kitchen positions, practical skill assessment and cooking demonstration evaluating technical capability, trial shift evaluation and team interaction assessing cultural fit and operational performance, food safety certification verification ensuring compliance and professional standards, and clear timeline with feedback communication for professional candidate experience throughout the selection process.

Common misunderstanding: Application processes should be minimal to attract candidates rather than structured evaluation ensuring quality selection and operational fit for kitchen positions.

Structured application processes attract serious candidates whilst ensuring quality selection and operational alignment for demanding kitchen roles. Effective evaluation often improves hiring success whilst reducing turnover and ensuring immediate operational contribution from appointment.

Common misunderstanding: Practical assessments intimidate candidates rather than providing fair evaluation that demonstrates capability whilst ensuring appropriate skill matching for kitchen operations.

Practical assessments provide fair evaluation, demonstrate capability, ensure skill verification, and support informed hiring decisions for kitchen positions. Skill demonstration often improves selection whilst ensuring operational readiness and professional competence.

What documentation should I require for Line cook job description applications?

Require comprehensive CV with kitchen experience details including progression and specific responsibilities in commercial environments, professional references from previous kitchen positions confirming performance and reliability, food safety certification and training documentation demonstrating compliance and professional development, availability schedule and shift preferences ensuring operational fit and scheduling compatibility, portfolio of culinary work or photos if applicable showcasing skill development and achievement, and honest skill assessment and experience level declaration ensuring realistic expectations and appropriate placement.

Common misunderstanding: Documentation requirements are bureaucratic rather than professional assessment tools that evaluate experience depth and commitment for kitchen positions.

Documentation provides experience verification, skill assessment, and professional commitment evaluation essential for kitchen roles. Quality documentation often indicates professionalism whilst ensuring thorough assessment and informed selection decisions.

Common misunderstanding: Reference checking is optional rather than essential verification that confirms performance and reliability in previous kitchen positions.

Reference checking provides performance verification, reliability confirmation, and professional behaviour assessment that inform hiring decisions. Reference verification often prevents hiring mistakes whilst ensuring professional standards and operational fit.

How do I design practical assessment for Line cook job description selection process?

Design basic cooking skill demonstration and knife technique assessment evaluating fundamental competencies and safety awareness, food safety knowledge test and hygiene practice evaluation ensuring compliance understanding and professional behaviour, timing and organisation skills during pressure situations assessing operational capability, team communication and collaboration assessment evaluating cultural fit and professional interaction, adaptability to feedback and instruction demonstrating learning capability and professional attitude, and professional attitude and work ethic evaluation during trial period assessing long-term potential and operational contribution.

Common misunderstanding: Practical assessments are pass/fail tests rather than skill evaluation tools that identify capability levels and development potential for kitchen positions.

Practical assessments evaluate current capability, identify development potential, and assess operational fit whilst informing training needs and placement decisions. Skill assessment often improves placement whilst ensuring appropriate development planning and operational contribution.

Common misunderstanding: Trial shifts are inconvenience rather than mutual evaluation opportunity that benefits both candidate and employer through realistic assessment.

Trial shifts provide realistic assessment, operational understanding, team interaction evaluation, and mutual fit assessment that benefit both parties. Trial evaluation often improves hiring decisions whilst providing candidates with accurate position understanding and cultural assessment.

Common misunderstanding: Feedback communication is courtesy rather than professional practice that improves candidate experience whilst maintaining establishment reputation and industry relationships.

Feedback communication provides professional closure, maintains industry relationships, supports candidate development, and enhances establishment reputation through professional recruitment practices. Quality communication often improves future recruitment whilst building positive industry relationships.