| 1 | What is the most challenging part of budgeting for you? |
|---|---|
| 6 | Tell me about a recent experience you’ve had working with your hands. |
| 7 | Tell me how you organize, plan, and prioritize your work. |
| 8 | Give me an example of when you thought outside of the box. How did it help your employer? |
Interviewing Tips
Why do you want to work in a school cafeteria?
Let’s be honest. No children dream of working in a school cafeteria once they grow up. Most workers in cafeterias earn minimum wage, and that’s why people dream of other careers. Having said that, the job has actually some advantages. For example, you will end your day early, the stress levels are low, and you will have some contact with young people–which is always nice.
You can refer to these things in your answer. Say that the working hours suit you, or the type of work (considering your previous experience), or basically that in this stage of your professional career, you are looking for a stable job with low stress levels. The key is to find something positive on the job. They shouldn’t get an impression that you apply only because you have to, because you cannot get a better job at the moment.
This job is repetitive, and can be quite boring. What will you do to stay motivated?
You have few options for a good answer. One is saying that repetitive and “boring” job is exactly what you are looking for. You’re not that young anymore, and jobs in which you face new challenges every day, and have to deal with unknown situations, are not a good choice for you. You prefer to have your routine, knowing exactly what to do, and simply taking care of your duties, day after day. You can add that talks with colleagues and occasional interactions with students will certainly help the days to pass quickly. They will spice your routine at least a bit.
Another option is simply saying that you need a job, because you have bills to pay and regular monthly expenses. You know that you cannot afford to drop your level too much, or neglect some of your duties in the cafeteria. If you did so, you could easily lose the job, and that’s not something you can afford in your age and with your expenses. Hence you will stay motivated, regardless of the repetitiveness.
10. Describe a Time When You Failed in This Role and The Lesson You Learnt?
The interviewer wants to know if you are honest and open-minded to learn from your failures. Describe a failure you have had and show the lessons you learned from it.
Sample Answer
“In my previous role, while handling a customer, they gave very detailed instructions about how their food should be made. Their child had a food intolerance to gluten and they mentioned avoiding any possible contamination. However, when giving the order to the kitchen staff I did not emphasize the client’s instructions. As such the food was prepared in the oil that had gluten contamination. In the course of enjoying the meal, the child developed a severe allergic reaction and had to be rushed to the hospital. This case taught me to take client instructions with the utmost seriousness it deserves.”
FAQ
How do I prepare for a cook interview?
- What’s your experience in food handling?
- Do you prefer working alone or as a team?
- What do you do to stay punctual?
- What did you like most in our menu?
- What entrees/sauces/etc. …
- How do you ensure cooks have always adequate supplies during a rush?
What are the top 10 chef interview questions?
“As a focused cook, I should be able to focus on long-term quality work. The main focus should be on learning and observing what I can add to my skills to better my performance as a cook and, at the same time, satisfy my customer’s expectations as well.
What should I expect in a cooking interview?
- ‘Tell me about yourself…’ …
- ‘Why are you leaving your current role? …
- ‘What are your weaknesses? …
- ‘Why do you want to work at this restaurant? …
- ‘Where do you see yourself in five years? …
- ‘Tell me about a time that you worked in a team to achieve something.
