You can be the brightest star in the kitchen as a chef, but if you fail to answer the chef interview questions correctly, you may never land the job of your dreams. Therefore, regardless of whether you are a seasoned chef or just starting your career, you need to prepare yourself carefully for every interview.
In this guide, we’ll ensure that no question leaves you surprised and that you have a winning answer to every query the employer comes up with!
Key Takeaways
Your answers to chef interview questions should paint a picture of you as a dedicated professional with a genuine passion for cooking.
Apart from demonstrating talent and skill, it is also important that you show leadership skills during your interview, as well as a willingness to grow and learn.
To ensure you impress the employer, prepare for the interview by researching their brand, concept, and culinary style.
Include practical, real-life examples of your culinary experience wherever possible to ensure you give off the impression of a seasoned, confident chef who knows exactly what to do in every situation.
Chef Interview Sample Questions & Sample Answers
If you’ve gotten to the interview part of screening candidates, that means your CV and cover letter were good enough to get you there! Now, let’s familiarize ourselves with the most important chef job interview questions and learn how to best answer them so that you can prepare yourself well for the next interview.
#1. Why did you decide to become a chef?
Employers ask this question to understand your motivation for becoming a chef. They want to know whether you’re in it because of genuine passion for the profession, are looking for status that comes with it, or for other reasons.
Moreover, they expect your answer to convince them that you will love your job enough to persevere through different challenges.
How to answer
The most important thing when this question pops up is to be honest. Showing too much enthusiasm can be just as bad as showing too little, so focus on being truthful. A good answer should explain precisely what inspired you to pursue a career as a chef.
Sample answer
“I always loved how food brings people together and brings out my creativity. I enjoy exploring traditional recipes, and the precision and passion required for the job have always felt natural to me.”
Pro tip: It isn’t important whether you love it for the delicious taste, creativity, or as a family tradition, it is important that your answer reflects genuine passion, whatever that passion is inspired by.
#2. What’s the most challenging dish you’ve ever made?
The goal of this chef interview question is for the employer to estimate how well you deal with pressure and what kind of problem-solving skills you have.
How to answer
Don’t try to come up with some exceptionally complicated meal, but focus on demonstrating what you saw as a challenge in the given situation and, even more importantly, how you addressed it. Emphasize the efficiency of your solution to give off the impression of someone who competently deals with pressure and challenges.
Sample answer
“The most challenging dish I’ve ever made was a white chocolate soufflé. It was challenging to hit the right balance between the ingredients and follow the precise timing and temperature control. Nevertheless, I improvised a few things, remained focused, and delivered a perfect dish, thus learning that adaptability is just as important as competence.”
Pro tip: By describing the challenge as a learning experience, you demonstrate resilience.
#3. What is your signature dish?
This question aims to allow the employer to get to know you and your culinary style. You can take advantage of this question to subtly demonstrate your talent and skill.
How to answer
Emphasize the personal touch that makes the dish unique. That way, you will also demonstrate your sense of detail, creativity, and culinary passion.
Sample answer
“My signature dish is a modern twist on beef bourguignon, enriched with my mix of locally sourced ingredients and red wine. Over the years, I perfected the balance between ingredients and got a refined taste that is always a hit for guests.”
Pro tip: Explore the employer’s menu and preferences and check how your culinary style matches their needs. You probably have more than one dish that you can present as your signature one, so pick the one that aligns with the employer’s style.
#4. What does your process of menu planning look like?
Your organizational skills are just as important as your culinary skills, and this question aims to assess them. It also targets your creativity, culinary style, and overall working style.
How to answer
Describe your working style in detail, and provide some examples from your previous experiences. Highlight how different settings require different structures to showcase your adaptability.
Sample answer
“I analyze the restaurant theme and research seasonal ingredients to find the optimal balance between current food trends and restaurant style. Then, I brainstorm dishes, test recipes, and collaborate with colleagues to finalize the menu.”
Pro tip: Use this question not only to show your organizational skills but also to demonstrate that you’re a team player who has strong collaboration skills.
#5. Who is your favorite chef?
This chef interview question mostly targets your culinary style and influences that shaped you as a chef. It helps the employer to get a gist of what they can expect of you, your aspirations, and your ambitions.
How to answer
You can name more than one favorite chef and highlight what you find particularly inspiring about them.
Sample answer
“I admire Chef Carlo Cracco for his ability to stay loyal to tradition while embracing innovations. His ability to recreate traditional dishes and transform them into modern culinary works of art propels me to explore new approaches in my own cooking.”
Pro tip: Show that you’re keeping up with the culinary trends by mentioning some names of current leaders in the industry.
#6. How familiar are you with food and wine pairing?
This question seems simple, but it may actually be tricky. Your answer can indicate how passionate and devoted you are to the culinary experience.
How to answer
Simply and directly, provide some examples and demonstrate how you enhance dining experiences.
Sample answer
“Matching food and wine adequately can really elevate the whole dining experience, and I enjoy the creative process of pairing flavors. My approach is based on classical principles, but I also have my personal favorites which I describe and offer to guests too, so that they always have a choice.”
Pro tip: Share your personal favorite food and wine pair, and elaborate on what you like about that match to present yourself as a true expert.
#7. How do you handle a situation where a dish doesn’t turn out as expected?
The aim of this chef interview question is to asses how you handle real life stressful situtions that are common in the kitchen. The employer needs to know that you can manage unexpected circumstances, have good time management skills, and can prioritize tasks well.
How to answer
It is essential that you show confidence when you answer this question. Provide examples from your personal experience where you handled such situations.
Sample answer
“My first reaction in such situations is to focus on identifying the problem and assessing whether it can be fixed quickly or if more fundamental corrections are needed. In most cases, I manage to solve the issue quickly without significantly affecting the service.”
Pro tip: By sharing your personal experience of this matter, you show that you have the courage and confidence to deal with stress and challenges in unexpected situations.
#8. What kind of changes would you propose to our menu?
The main reason why the employer poses this chef interview question is to determine your perception of their brand. They also want to see whether you are innovative, creative, and interested in developing the brand.
How to answer
Show respect for their current offerings and share how you understand their concept. Highlight what you love about their menu and then move on to how you would enhance it.
Sample answer
“I am really impressed with how well your menu blends tradition with modern influences. Its focus on local ingredients inspired me to think in the direction of enriching the offer with a seasonal small plates section that reflects the local values and culinary favorites. I believe this would appeal both to regular and new customers.”
Pro tip: Never criticize the employer’s current offering, only focus on how it could be enhanced.
#9. How would you handle a colleague in the kitchen who isn’t performing well?
This question targets your kitchen leadership, people management, and conflict resolution skills. The employer wants to know if they can rely on you to maintain a good work ethic and a positive team dynamic in the kitchen.
How to answer
Explain what underperformance is for you and how you usually address it. Don’t hesitate to share an example from your experience.
Sample answer
“When I notice a team member isn’t performing well, I avoid calling the person out but try to understand the root cause of their behavior. I prefer having one-on-one conversations which allow me to personalize my approach to the issue and provide the team member with guidance, motivation, or additional training depending on what they need.”
Pro tip: It is important that you show both empathy and leadership skills in your answer.
#10. How do you stay creative and inspired in the kitchen?
The point of this chef interview question is to check how stable your motivation is, whether you can be counted on in the long-term to provide new ideas and maintain a positive attitude consistently.
How to answer
Be honest, and don’t try to present yourself as someone who has never experienced a lack of motivation.
Sample answer
“I stay inspired by exploring other cultures and people’s favorite dishes. I enjoy experimenting and often draw my inspiration from my travels. My last trip resulted in a fusion dish that became one of the customer favorites.”
Pro tip: Show that you can translate your creativity into practical ideas that align with the employer’s restaurant concept.
#11. How do you handle feedback from customers or colleagues?
A chef’s work is judged by customers and colleagues, so it is important for the employer to know that you can handle criticism without feeling triggered or stressed. Your answer to this chef interview question also shows how open you are to growth.
How to answer
Emphasize that you’re aware of the importance of feedback for your work and provide some examples of how it inspired you to improve your culinary skills.
Sample answer
“I welcome every type of feedback because I believe that only through interaction with customers and colleagues can I truly grow as a chef. Moreover, I take every feedback seriously and use it as inspiration to make the dish better.”
Pro tip: Be realistic and provide an example of unpleasant criticism you received, highlighting how you used it to grow by framing it as a collaborative process that benefited both you and the restaurant.
17 More Interview Questions for Chefs
The previous section covered interview questions that are highly specific for chefs. Depending on the employer’s priorities, they may focus more on food safety interview questions, line cook interview questions, or fine dining chef interview questions. Therefore, we’re listing more possible interview questions here so you can prepare perfectly:
Additional Chef Interview Questions
What are your salary expectations?
What are the key chef skills, in your opinion?
How do you handle inventory management, food cost control, and ordering supplies?
How do you handle kitchen hygiene?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
What’s your experience with catering and large-scale events?
What’s your experience with creating menus for dietary restrictions such as vegan, gluten-free, or keto diet?
How do you train and mentor junior staff in the kitchen?
What are your best traits?
What makes you a perfect candidate for this job?
What is your biggest flaw?
If you didn’t have to work for a living, what would you do in life?
How do you handle conflicts at work?
What’s the most important thing for you when looking for a job—title, salary, or status?
What kind of treatment do you find unacceptable at work?
How would you describe your cooking technique?
How to Nail Your Chef Interview and Impress the Hiring Manager
Being a great chef requires talent and skill, but landing your dream job requires even more—it’s about showing the employer that you’re a perfect fit for them. There are many great chefs out there, but what will truly make you stand out is your passion and preparedness for the interview. So, here are three tips that will ensure you impress the employer:
#1. Learn Everything About the Restaurant
Skills can be taught, and talent can be developed, so while these are important, the employer will always have a special appreciation for the passion and interest in their own brand. Therefore, do your homework, research the restaurant you’re applying for, and explore their menu, concept, and target audience to understand their culinary style.
Also, check if they are mentioned in the press or have won some culinary awards. That way, you’ll show that you’re interested not only in finding a job and ensuring monthly payments but that you’re specifically motivated to work for such a brand.
#2. Bring a Portfolio of Your Dishes
A chef with a portfolio gives off the impression of a passionate professional with clear career goals. So, create a portfolio of your signature dishes, menus you’ve created, and unique recipes you’ve come up with over the years. This will show how much you love your work.
#3. Demonstrate Leadership and Teamwork
What separates a great chef from a talented chef is leadership skills. Chefs don’t just cook; they manage the kitchen staff, develop teams, resolve conflicts, inspire, and collaborate. So, make sure your CV mentions your leadership skills and includes some examples of how you used them. This way, you’ll show that you’re ready for head chef responsibilities and executive chef roles.
Final Thoughts
Being a chef means so much more than making delicious dishes—it requires passion, talent, leadership skills, resilience, and resourcefulness. That’s exactly what the employer will try to asses by asking you many of the chef interview questions we listed in this article, so make sure you’ve thought each through and have superb answers.
By combining preparation, creativity, and professionalism, you’ll surely be able to impress the hiring manager and show that you’re a great chef and a perfect fit for their team.
