How do you know for sure that the next cook you hire will be able to make tasty food that makes people want to come back to your restaurant?
It’s a challenge, but there are ways to hire exceptional talent with the right cooking techniques and skills.
Some things that can make it easier to hire the best cook are using the right interview questions and a Cooking Techniques skills test.
It’s not hard to use a cooking skills test, but you might be wondering where to find the right interview questions for cook jobs.
Getting hired as a grill cook at a busy restaurant requires you to showcase your skills and experience during the interview Employers want to know that you can handle the fast-paced environment, cook food to order quickly and consistently, and collaborate smoothly with the rest of the kitchen team
This article will explore 15 of the most common grill cook interview questions, along with examples of strong responses you can use to impress the interviewer With the right preparation, you can highlight your strengths and land the grill cook job you want.
Typical Grill Cook Interview Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked interview questions for grill cook positions to help you prepare:
1. Why are you interested in working as a grill cook?
This question allows you to share your passion for the role and the food service industry. Discuss how you enjoy the fast-paced nature of a restaurant kitchen, your interest in preparing delicious food, and your relevant skills and experience. Emphasize your commitment to providing excellent customer service as part of a cohesive team.
Example response “I’m excited to develop my culinary skills further as a grill cook. I love interacting with customers being part of a collaborative kitchen team and thriving in a busy, high-energy environment. This role is the perfect way for me to combine my passion for cooking with my ability to perform well under pressure.”
2. What qualities make an excellent grill cook?
Show you understand the most critical skills and traits for success as a grill cook. These include efficiency, attention to detail, ability to multitask, communication skills, stamina, and staying calm under pressure. Emphasize the importance of teamwork and food quality as well.
Example response: “Some of the most important qualities for a stellar grill cook include efficiency in filling orders accurately and quickly, stamina to work long hours on your feet, and the ability to stay focused under pressure. You also need strong communication and teamwork, as you collaborate closely with the rest of the kitchen. Most importantly, an excellent grill cook consistently delivers high-quality dishes that meet the restaurant’s standards.”
3. How would you handle a rush at the grill station?
Demonstrate your ability to thrive under pressure. Share how you would prioritize orders, communicate clearly with the team, have key tools/ingredients ready to go, and efficiently cook and plate dishes during the rush. Emphasize speed while not sacrificing quality.
Example response: “When handling a rush on the grill, communication and organization are critical. I would immediately start prioritizing the ticket orders based on cooking times, allergies, and table numbers. I would make sure my station is fully prepped with tools and ingredients close at hand. During the rush, I’d maintain open communication with the team, work quickly while cooking to order specifications, and plate dishes promptly. My focus is on getting accurate orders out rapidly without compromising quality.”
4. How do you ensure food quality and consistency as a grill cook?
Show your commitment to producing consistently delicious dishes that meet the restaurant’s standards. Discuss how you follow prep lists, recipes, and plating guidelines closely, taste test during cooking, visually inspect dishes before serving, and communicate with other cooks and chefs for feedback.
Example response: “Consistency and quality are top priorities for me. I always carefully follow prep lists and recipes, ensuring I have all necessary ingredients and tools. During cooking, I visually inspect and taste test the food at different stages. Before plating, I double-check the dish meets our high standards for appearance and portion size. I also communicate regularly with the head chef and other cooks to receive feedback and implement any guidance regarding consistency and quality.”
5. How do you stay up-to-date on new grilling methods and techniques?
Demonstrate you are passionate about continually building your culinary skills. Share proactive ways you upgrade your knowledge, like reading cookbooks and grilling blogs, taking classes, watching cooking shows for tips, practicing at home, and asking chefs to train you on new methods.
Example response: “I’m passionate about expanding my grilling knowledge and skills. Some ways I stay current include reading grilling books and magazines, as well as watching videos to learn new techniques. I’ll ask our head chef if I can get training on any new cooking methods the restaurant is implementing. I also love taking any opportunities to attend grilling seminars or classes to continue developing my expertise.”
6. What steps would you take if a customer complained about an undercooked burger?
Show how you would address and resolve the situation professionally and efficiently. Cover listening kindly, apologizing, immediately remaking the burger to the proper temperature, and notifying the manager so customer satisfaction can be ensured.
Example response: “If a customer complained about an undercooked burger, I would start by sincerely apologizing for the mistake. I would ask if they’d like the burger remade or if they would prefer a different dish on the house. Once I have their preference, I would immediately fire another burger, making sure it is cooked to the proper temperature. I would notify the manager of the situation as well, so they can assist in ensuring the customer leaves satisfied despite the initial issue.”
7. How do you keep your grill station organized during a hectic shift?
Share specific methods that help you stay organized when grilling during busy shifts. You could mention keeping tools accessible, consolidating ingredients, labeling, keeping the station clean as you go, and having an efficient system for ticket orders/plated dishes ready for servers.
Example response: “I find that organization is absolutely essential when working the grill during our busiest shifts. I keep all my most-used tools neatly organized and within easy reach. I consolidate ingredients into clearly labeled containers close by the grill. As I work through orders, I clean the station to avoid clutter. I also have an organized system with different areas of my table for ticket orders to cook, dishes ready for servers, and plates to refire or hold if necessary. This allows me to stay on top of all the moving parts.”
8. How do you ensure safety in the kitchen as a grill cook?
Demonstrate your understanding of critical safety practices for restaurant kitchens. Share how you safely operate grilling equipment, prevent cross-contamination, handle/store knives properly, wear slip-resistant shoes, quickly wipe spills, call out hazards, and more.
Example response: “Safety is imperative, so I take measures like keeping the grill and surrounding area clean/dry, wearing closed-toe non-slip shoes, and using proper knife techniques. I wash my hands frequently and change gloves between handling different foods to avoid cross-contamination. I make sure hair/clothing doesn’t touch food and cover any cuts appropriately. If I spot a spill or hazard, I clean or call it out immediately. I’m also constantly aware of my surroundings, so I can move cautiously in the busy environment.”
9. How do you handle tough cuts of meat on the grill?
Show off your grilling skills and techniques for cooking challenging proteins perfectly. You could mention slicing against the grain, marinating tough meats, using a meat tenderizer, monitoring temperature closely, basting/glazing, letting rest before slicing, and adjusting techniques as needed.
Example response: “To grill tough cuts of meat properly, I use several techniques to help tenderize them and maintain moisture. I’ll marinate the meat or rub a tenderizer in advance. During grilling, I monitor the temperature closely and turn the meat frequently to prevent burning. Basting the meat with glazes or juices helps keep it from drying out over the high heat. Once cooked, I’m sure to let the meat rest adequately before slicing, as this further tenderizes the proteins. I’ll adjust my methods as needed based on the results.”
10. How do you collaborate with Servers and other Cooks?
Show you are a strong team player who communicates well with front and back-of-house staff. Discuss listening to servers’ needs, filling orders accurately and efficiently, keeping them updated on timing, and helping resolve any issues.
Example response: “Strong communication with servers and cooks ensures food goes out on time and correct. I build great rapport by being friendly, listening well, and fulfilling requests efficiently. When a server puts in an order, I make sure I understand their specific needs for the dish, cook it perfectly, and let them know when it’s ready. If any issues arise, I work collaboratively with them to fix it quickly. My aim is to maintain excellent teamwork, so we provide customers with amazing service.”
11. Tell me about a time you had to serve customers with dietary restrictions. How did you handle this?
Show you can adapt to accommodate various dietary needs. Discuss double-checking restrictions, using allergy prep tools/surfaces, communicating carefully with the team, making appropriate ingredient swaps or omissions, labeling clearly, and preventing cross-contamination.
Example response: “We frequently have customers with food allergies or dietary needs. For example, recently a server put in an order noting the dish must be gluten-free. To handle this properly, I immediately sanitized my prep area and tools to prevent cross-contamination. I double-checked all the ingredients to ensure there was no gluten
When should you use these interview questions to assess cooks during the recruitment process?
After giving applicants a Cooking Techniques skills test, these interview questions for cooks are the best time to use them. These steps will help you avoid wasting time on applicants who aren’t qualified by ensuring that you only interview people who know how to cook.
Also, the results of the skills test can help you think of more questions to ask during the interview.
Which method do you use to remain calm when working under pressure?
There are plenty of situations when your cooks must remain calm under pressure in the kitchen.
Can your candidate list a few things they would do to stay calm in your job? For example, they might use their problem-solving skills to deal with complaints in the kitchen or their attention to detail to make sure the dishes are done right even though they are under a lot of stress.
Candidates should be able to outline a situation where they’ve used these skills and achieved success. You can assess these skills using our Problem-Solving or Attention to Detail skills tests.
Grill Cook Interview Questions
How do you answer a grill interview question?
12. Describe your grilling technique. Interviewers may ask this question to see how you apply your skills and knowledge in the kitchen. They want to know that you can use your expertise to create delicious dishes for their customers. In your answer, describe a dish you’ve made before and explain what steps you took to prepare it.
What is a cook interview question?
This question tests the cook’s interpersonal skills, particularly how the applicant may handle criticism from customers in your workplace.
How do I become a grill cook?
If you want to become a grill cook, you’ll need to pass a job interview. During the interview, you’ll be asked grill cook interview questions about your experience, your cooking skills, and your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. You may also be asked questions about your availability and your ability to lift heavy objects.
What skills do grill cooks need?
In addition, grill cooks need to have good organizational skills so that they can keep track of orders and ensure that all dishes are cooked properly and served on time. Finally, having knowledge of different grilling techniques and flavor combinations will help them create delicious meals that customers will love.
