Why a line cook is essential to your restaurant -- and how to find the right one.

While a head chef may get all the limelight, they would be nothing without their line cooks. All commercial kitchens depend on hard-working line chefs to prepare, cook and plate food. Larger restaurants can employ dozens of line chefs, each concerned with making one particular menu item to the highest standard possible. Even if you only employ a handful of line cooks, finding quality candidates is an essential part of running a quality restaurant.

What does a line cook do all day, and what skills are required to do the job well? 

An average day for a line cook: 

Considering the vast range of prep stations or dishes a line cook may work on a given day, it isn’t easy to provide an accurate impression of an average workday. Some general tasks expected of a line cook include: 

● Preparing food, including cutting, chopping, and mixing ingredients, preparing sauces

● Cooking food, including sautéing, grilling, frying, and any other cooking methods

● Keeping stations clean and hygienic

● Maintaining stock levels and ordering supplies

● Complete food storage logs and tracking expiry dates

● Using, storing, and maintaining equipment safely

How has coronavirus changed the job of a line cook?

Working in the food industry means that hygiene will always be a part of a line cook’s daily work. However, it has become a matter of life and death with COVID-19.  A study from the University of California states that line cooks have the highest COVID-19 mortality rate of any profession surveyed. Studies like this emphasize the importance of safe working environments and proper hygiene protocols, both front of house and back.

What skills should I be looking for?

Here are some key skills any line cook should have:

• Attention to detail

• Ability to work at a fast pace

• Time management and multitasking

• Flexibility

• Verbal communication skills, primarily listening

• Ability to take feedback and improve 

• Organizational skills

• Ability to work as a team

• Physical fitness; ability to stand for long periods and lift heavy objects

Where can I hire a line cook?

There’s never been a better time to hire a line cook. Register now to post your job and start hiring!