Author :chef ssentongo Geoffrey
How to Prepare for an Executive Chef Interview?
While there’s no linear ladder to climb in the culinary world, Becoming an ” Executive Chef” can truly be considered one of the most rewarding roles.
Along with delivering cutting-edge dishes, this is ultimately a management position that usually requires proven leadership skills, plenty of experience, and a prolific vision. If you find yourself in the hot seat for an executive chef interview, here’s how you might begin to prepare!
Executive Chef Interview Tips
Before we drive into some common chef interview questions, let’s explore some helpful tips to consider.
* Do Your Research
Like most job interviews, you’ll want to “do your homework” on the restaurant you’re interviewing for ahead of time. After all, knowledge is power!
What does this entail?
Start with visiting the website, then hunt down any recent press releases that might reveal insight into any news pertaining to that restaurant or hotel. Also, make sure you glance over the current menu to get a feel for the cuisine style and conceptualize and prepare a few dishes that would fit nicely into the theme. The main goal is to gain a strong sense of the restaurant or hotel branding and ethos and the values of the hotel.
* Memorize Your Resume
The hiring manager will likely ask specific questions directly based on your resume. Review the jobs you have listed, reflect back on your experience and think through the fine details of your responsibilities.
* Write Down Strengths That Align with The Job Description
Usually job descriptions can semi pretty lengthy and you might feel inclined to skim over the mountain of bullet points. Take some time in the interview to find out how this job opening occurred and what the business needs are. It may give you insight and allow you to present yourself as a solution.
* Follow Chef Interview Etiquette
Some interview etiquette might seem common sense, but following these guidelines will likely communicate respect toward the hiring manager.
Chef Interview Etiquette Tips :
* – When a hiring manager steps into the room, stand up and shake their hand.
* Do your best to listen when they speak and try to avoid interrupting.
* If you go on a kitchen tour, don’t walk ahead of or behind the hiring manager, but alongside them, if space allows.
* Try your best to use long form, professional kitchen vocabulary versus slang.
* Don’t be late for an interview! Try to arrive at least 15 minutes early.
Prepare Follow-up Questions
Remember that hiring managers are looking to on board passionate chefs who are genuinely interested in the everyday operations of the restaurant or hotel. The best way to end an interview is to come prepared with succinct follow-up questions.
Example Follow-up Questions
* What are some of the major challenges the restaurant faces currently, and how could I help improve them?
* I’d love to know more about the current team. Can you fill me in on their skills, strengths, and weaknesses? What type of leadership style are they more comfortable with?
* What does your decision-making process and timelines look like?
Executive Chef Role Expectations
Ultimately, an executive chef mandates most of the daily kitchen operations and might have a wide range of responsibilities. Although several years of experience are likely needed to step into this role, education and training are essential to refine specific executive chef hard and soft skills.
Anybody can say they are a chef. As far as the management portion, you can run restaurant business.
Hard Skills
* Understand primary cooking methods and techniques I.e knife skills.
* Update restaurant menus and dishes, while staying in line with budget.
* Select cost-effective seasonal ingredients
* Exhibit solid nutrition and product knowledge
* Hire and manage entire kitchen staff
* Collaborated with key vendors and suppliers
* Order necessary kitchen supplies and equipment
* Oversee food preparation and safety procedures
* Understanding and ability to collaborate effectively with service counterparts.
Soft skills
* Unwavering passion for cooking
* Strong physical and emotional stamina
* Detail-oriented and extremely organized
* Natural ability to manage conflict
* Excellent time management skills to Complete daily kitchen tasks
* Customer-service oriented to handle incoming guest requests and complaints
* Strong communication and leadership skills to manage kitchen staff
* Ability to motivate and inspire crew members
Common Executive Chef Interview Questions
* What inspired you to begin your culinary career?
* What cuisine do you specialize in?
* Can you provide an overview of your training and education?
* what steps do you take to control food quality?
* How do you handle conflict with employees?
* what qualities do you look for when hiring a kitchen crew?
* How do you approach menu design?
Remember, a hiring manager will most likely want to examine your culinary technical skills and leadership / management capabilities for an executive chef position. You might want to prepare for several problem-solving, scenario-based questions. To formulate these answers, consider using the START METHOD. This entails clearly outlining the situation, task, action, and result of each situation.
How to Get Ready for an executive chef Tasting Interview?
Executive chefs should prepare for a tasting interview or “stage” request. It’s important for the hiring manager to see your strategy in your element!
You might be asked to create a tasting on the fly, or you’ll have plenty of time in advance to strategize your dishes.
When it comes to your tasting interview strategy, it’s best to stick with your signature dishes and simple ingredients that enable you to shine. You’ll likely be judged on how efficiently you work in the kitchen and your cooking methods.
Take the first step towards your executive chef goal.
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