What interview questions should I prepare for a Line Cook job interview?

Focus on cooking technique demonstration, pressure management scenarios, and kitchen teamwork examples whilst emphasising speed capability rather than culinary creativity. Develop behavioural questions that reveal cooking consistency, recipe following, and service execution.

Common misunderstanding: Theoretical questions test cooking ability.

Many managers ask theoretical cooking questions that do not test practical skills. Line Cooks need execution ability under pressure, not just cooking knowledge.

Let's say you are interviewing a Line Cook candidate. Instead of asking "What's your favourite cooking technique?" ask "Walk me through your process for cooking 6 steaks to different temperatures during a dinner rush whilst prepping salads." This tests actual execution ability under pressure.

Common misunderstanding: Creativity equals execution ability.

Some managers think culinary creativity shows cooking execution skills, but Line Cooks need speed and consistency more than creative ideas.

Let's say you are impressed by a Line Cook candidate who describes creative dishes they would like to develop. Whilst creativity is nice, test execution skills: "How do you maintain consistent cooking times when managing multiple orders?" Speed and consistency matter more than creativity for line cooking success.

How do I create behavioural questions specific to a Line Cook position?

Create questions targeting cooking execution under pressure, teamwork coordination, and quality maintenance whilst focusing on specific kitchen scenarios. Use examples requiring speed, consistency, and professional kitchen standards.

Common misunderstanding: General questions work for specific roles.

Some managers use general cooking questions instead of testing specific Line Cook skills like pressure management and teamwork coordination.

Let's say you are creating Line Cook behavioural questions. Instead of "Tell me about your cooking experience" ask "Describe a time you had to cook multiple items simultaneously whilst communicating with servers about order timing." This tests actual line cooking execution skills.

Common misunderstanding: Recipe knowledge equals cooking ability.

Some managers think knowing recipes means someone can cook quickly under pressure, but Line Cooks need speed and time management skills for busy service periods.

Let's say you are evaluating a Line Cook candidate who knows recipes well but has not demonstrated speed capability. Line cooking requires executing dishes quickly and consistently during service. Test time management: "How do you prioritise when you have 8 orders with different cooking times?" Speed capability is crucial for line success.

What scenario-based questions work best for assessing Line Cook candidates?

Present cooking challenges requiring multitasking, equipment failure response, and quality control decisions whilst testing professional kitchen judgment. Focus on scenarios matching typical line cook responsibilities and service pressure.

Common misunderstanding: Simple scenarios test line cooking skills.

Some managers use basic cooking questions that do not test multitasking, pressure management, and teamwork skills that Line Cooks need during busy service.

Let's say you are testing a Line Cook candidate with "How would you cook this dish?" Instead, use complex scenarios: "You are cooking pasta, grilling chicken, and sautéing vegetables whilst the expediter calls for sauce adjustments and servers ask about timing. Prioritise your actions." This tests real line cooking complexity.

Common misunderstanding: Complex tests overwhelm candidates.

Some managers avoid challenging questions to keep interviews simple, but Line Cook work involves complex multitasking under pressure that needs proper testing.

Let's say you are worried about overwhelming Line Cook candidates with complex scenarios. But line cooking requires managing multiple tasks under pressure. Test execution complexity: "Handle 4 different protein orders, coordinate with the grill chef, and maintain consistency whilst the kitchen runs behind." This reveals their actual line cooking capability.