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Assistant Cook Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated 16 January 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Assistant Cook interview questions and answers.

  1. As an assistant cook, are you familiar with the health codes in our specific territory or province? See answer
  2. If you ran out of daily specials and still had four more orders, how would you handle the situation? See answer
  3. How would you handle a customer who is criticizing their dish? See answer
  4. How do you handle working with other assistant cooks in the kitchen? See answer
  5. As an assistant cook, how would you go about maintaining cleanliness standards in the kitchen? See answer
  6. How do you prioritise tasks when given different meals to prepare in a short time? See answer
  7. What are some of the things you would change about our kitchen? See answer
  8. What would you say is your favourite type of cuisine and why? See answer
  9. Are you knowledgeable about the best practises for food safety? See answer
  10. As an assistant cook, what is your greatest strength? See answer
  11. Why have you chosen a career in culinary arts, particularly to be an assistant cook?
  12. What is the most stressful situation you’ve been in working as an assistant cook? And how did you handle it?
  13. What current culinary certification do you have and are there any other educational qualifications you possess?
  14. Will you be able to work for long hours, let’s say eight to nine hours, and still deliver quality dishes?
  15. Are there any cuisines you fee l you don’t excel in?
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Assistant Cook Interview Questions and Answers

Why have you chosen a career in culinary arts, particularly as an assistant cook?

This question serves two purposes. First, it puts the candidate at ease so they can easily open up. Second, it serves to determine whether the candidate just sees the role as another job or is interested in working in that position. What to look for in an answer:

  • Excitement
  • Desire to excel
  • Passion
Example:

"I have always loved cooking, even when I was a child. I love to make delicious meals whenever I have the chance."

As an assistant cook, are you familiar with the health codes in our specific territory or province?

Health inspection is a common reality in the food industry. You want to ensure that your candidate knows that there are health regulations imposed by the provinceor territory. While the candidate is not expected to recite the health code, the goal is to understand their knowledge of cleanliness and safety, and theirwillingness to adhere to health codes. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to conform to regulations
  • A sense of cleanliness and safety
  • Being truthful with their knowledge
Example:

"Yes,I'm quite familiar with the health codes in this province. I'm also aware that safety affects everyone involved in the industry. Given that standards change over time, I'mwilling to learn new concepts that I'munaware of."

If you ran out of daily specials and still had four more orders, how would you handle the situation?

The goal of this question is to help you understand how a candidate will handle the pressureof working in a fast-paced environment. It also helps determine the candidate's creativity when it comes to problem-solving. A candidate who has worked in the industry will have a polished answer as they may have dealt with the situation at least once. However, someone new to the role might take some time to answer. What to look for in an answer:

  • Desire to please clients
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Drive to maintaining the business integrity
Example:

"I would offer my apologies to the customers ifthis happened and suggest alternative dishes they can equally enjoy,for example house specials or dishes similar to the one we've run out of."

What is the most stressful situation you've been in working as an assistant cook? And how did you handle it?

Cooking can be stressful,especially when working in a busy environment. The goal is to know how the candidate can handle stressful situations, such as running out of a fryer while trying to fill in orders promptly. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Willingness to ask for help when needed
  • Acknowledgement thatstressful situations can arise
Example:

"An oven once malfunctioned during a dinner rush, so I called for help from the manager. We fixed it and were able to serve all our customers that night."

How would you handle a customer who is criticizing their dish?

The power of social media is a reality today, andone unhappy customer can cost your business many clients. The purpose of this question is to understand the interpersonal skills the candidate possesses, particularly how they will handle negative criticism. What to look for in an answer:

  • A sense of awareness from their answer
  • Knowledge of a realistic outcome
  • Ability to cater for unsatisfied clients
Example:

"I would apologise and be empathetic to the client. From there, I would follow the company protocol for dealing with such situations."

How do you handle working with other assistant cooks in the kitchen?

One important aspect to consider in a busy kitchen is teamwork. The goal is to understand whether the candidate has a cooperative attitude, particularly in how they relate to their peers so they can work quickly and achieve the company's goals. What to look for in an answer:

  • A cooperative attitude
  • Ability to work within teams
  • Knowledge of the importance of teamwork
Example:

"I understand how importantteamwork is in this role. I usually work hard at the tasks I've been assigned and ask for help from my colleagues whenever need be. I would also liaise with colleagues so we can coordinate on tasks when the kitchen is busy."

As an assistant cook, how would you go about maintaining cleanliness standards in the kitchen?

Cleanliness is a very important aspect in running a kitchen, therefore assistant cooks should help the managerby ensuring that every work surface is cleaned after use. The answer to this questionhelps understandhow a candidate upholds hygiene in their workplace. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of sanitization in the kitchen
  • High level of hygiene
  • Commitment to kitchen regulations
Example:

"I am always committed to basic hygiene standards such as washing hands after visiting the washroom and not cross-contaminating foods using the same knife. I also adhere to cleaning standards such as cleaning countertops after every use. Deep cleaning after a period set by the company is also something I regularly perform."

How do you prioritise tasks when given different meals to prepare in a short time?

Cooking can often be gruellingduring extremely busy hours, especially during the holidays. Cooks and assistant cooks can sometimes be overwhelmed with tickets to serve customers effectively while still maintaining high quality. The goal is to know what keeps the candidate motivated during such times. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to make good decisions
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • An optimistic attitude
Example:

"It's true that work during the holidays or lunch rush can be rough. I always approach such situations with a positive mindset and prepare myself for a busy day. I strive to prioritise tasks according to their ticket numbers. When overwhelmed, I'm not afraid to ask for help from my colleagues or the manager."

What are some of the things you would change about our kitchen?

A good candidate should know about their workplace already. It shows how they are committed to improving and bringing change to the company. The goal is to understand a candidate's dedication to the company and that they are not just looking for another job. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of the workplace
  • Dedication to improvement and development
  • Great ideas for change
Example:

"One thing I think could change in this restaurant is to add a dessert menu. I understand many customers come here, but by giving them various desserts to choose from, I think the restaurant will attract even more customers."

What current culinary certifications do you have and are there any other educational qualifications you possess?

Knowledge of educational qualifications for candidates can help in deciding whether they are a good fit for your company or not. The goal is to let the candidate showcase their educational qualifications, the type of schools they've gone to, and the type of training they've had. What to look for in an answer:

  • Skills earned during training
  • Type of culinary training
  • Diverse culinary background
Example:

"I hold a recent Food Safety certificate and completed my Cook Apprenticeship programme at Niagara College among the top in my class."

What would you say is your favourite type of cuisine and why?

A good assistant cook candidate loves cooking. They must cook the type of cuisines your business is dealing with. If a candidate excels at Thai food while your restaurant specialises in English food, they may not be the right one for the position. The goal is to understand if the candidate can prepare the foods you have on the menu. What to look for in an answer:

  • Relevant training
  • Relevant experience with your business' cuisine
  • Ability to prepare a variety of cuisines
Example:

"I am very familiar with a variety of Mexican dishes, and more specifically, I love preparing tacos. I like the mix of different flavours and the ability to be creative."

Will you be able to work for long hours, let's say eight to nine hours, and still deliver quality dishes?

Assistant cooks usually work for long hours. The goal is to know if the candidate can work for long hours and still be innovative. This question helps youpick a candidate who will not burn out during working hours. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to work long hours
  • Ability to be innovative after working for long hours
  • Flexibility in working hours
Example:

"Yes. I have previously worked in a fast-paced restaurant and know long hours are frequently required. I have learnt a lot and built stamina that allows me to work for long hours without compromising on quality."

Are you knowledgeable about the best practises for food safety?

Food safety practises are important for anyone working in a kitchen. You want a candidate who is knowledgeable or has practised food safety to maintain the image of your business. The goal is to understand if the candidate can demonstrate that they are knowledgeable about food safety basics such as handling meat. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of food safety
  • High regard for food safety
  • Certification in food safety
Example:

"I recently renewed my Food Safety certificate. In my two years of experience working in the kitchen, I have adhered to all food handling safety standards."

Are there any cuisines you feel you don't excel in?

Assistant cooks work in a range of kitchens preparing varying cuisines. It's common for an individual not to perfect all the cuisines there are. The goal of this question is to understand whether the candidate is the right fit for the dishes you serve and how honest the candidate is to be willing to share their imperfections. What to look for in an answer:

  • Honest attitude
  • Ability to prepare the dishes your businessserves
  • Willingness to learn
Example:

"I have to acknowledge I am not perfect. I sometimes have a hard time following exactly which dishes are suitable for the paleo diet. However, I am flexible and willing to learn more about them."

As an assistant cook, what is your greatest strength?

Assistant cooks are responsible for helping prep meals,wash andclean food, create meal portions, and maintain cleanliness in the kitchen. The goal of this question is to know which of these main roles the candidate is strong at. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of the role
  • The candidate's key strength
  • Ability to open up about what they enjoy doing
Example:

"I have worked in a kitchen for the past three years,and there's nothing I enjoy more than impeccable food presentation and garnishing. I get some level of satisfaction when I see clients smile upon receiving their food."

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