Why this matters:
Sous chefs are seasoned kitchen employees, but experiences vary. This question provides insight into what cooking and preparation skills a candidate brings to the table. Knowledge built through culinary school education or years working in restaurant facilities allows the sous chef to fill in wherever necessary.
What to listen for:
- Knowledge of kitchen stations, such as vegetable, sauté, grill, and fryer
- Understanding of plating and line delivery workflow
- Experience with preparation, pastry, plating, and presentation
Why this matters:
Every sous chef should have bare-bones familiarity with spreadsheets or other data tools to track inventory and schedules. As the assistant to the head chef, sous chefs are often tasked with making sure the kitchen is well-resourced with ingredients and staff. Candidates with proven organizational abilities will be ready to tackle these duties Day 1.
What to listen for:
- Experience with digital inventory management and restaurant-automation software
- Prior use of scheduling software and kitchen order displays
- Willingness to learn new technology and follow systems for organization
Why this matters:
This question examines a sous chef candidate’s depth of food safety knowledge and experience. Those who have had basic food safety and hygiene training will understand best practices for preventing contamination, while those who have worked in supervisory roles may discuss overseeing inventory and kitchen personnel.
What to listen for:
- Previous training courses or knowledge of food safety regulations
- Understanding of food handling and storage practices to maintain freshness
- Proactive approach to inventory control that maintains quality and eliminates waste
Why this matters:
Gauge the communication style, teaching abilities, and leadership skills of a candidate by asking about past mentorship experience. A sous chef may discuss advice pertaining to cooking techniques, plating, or presentation. Guidance may also include coaching on an interpersonal level to help staff cope with the rigors of the job.
What to listen for:
- Willingness to delegate, instruct, and supervise
- Demonstrated empathy and interpersonal communication skills
- Personal commitment to the career development of others
Why this matters:
Ask this question to learn whether a candidate demonstrates resilience. Unplanned situations may include line cooks calling in sick, delayed inventory shipments, or upset patrons sending a dish back to the kitchen. A candidate’s answer should reflect the ability to multitask, think quickly on the fly, and communicate with confidence under pressure.
What to listen for:
- Work experience in unpredictable environments or stressful situations
- Demonstrated flexibility to cope with change and new kitchen workflows
- Excellent time management skills
Why this matters:
In asking this question, you want to ensure your candidate understands the kitchen hierarchy. Sous chefs should demonstrate comfort with authority — both in receiving orders and giving them. Ideal candidates will have experience working cohesively with all different personality types, knowing when to speak up and when to go with the flow.
What to listen for:
- Listening skills and conflict-resolution abilities
- Assertive communication style with tactful negotiation skills
- A desire to learn from others and grow
Why this matters:
Responses may indicate a self-reflective nature or desire to excel at work. With an organized approach to task management, sous chefs can implement process improvements that streamline meal-planning, inventory management, and cooking. By effectively managing their priorities, candidates can ensure all internal and customer-related needs are met in a timely manner.
What to listen for:
- Use of mise en place, where all ingredients and tools are put in place before cooking
- Past experience making lists, pre-reading recipes, and planning in advance
- Demonstrated time management, organization, and critical thinking skills
Why this matters:
Find out how your candidates see themselves as a worker. As sous chefs are the right hand of the executive chef, the discussion should include expressed willingness to show up on time, complete tasks promptly, and guide less- experienced chefs. Exceptional candidates will share experiences of demonstrated competence, trustworthiness, and loyalty.
What to listen for:
- Track record of responsible behavior, such as arriving on time
- Expressed commitment to being a team player and helping others
- Willingness to go above and beyond, picking up extra duties as needed
Why this matters:
As supervisors, sous chefs instruct staff on everything from cooking techniques and presentation to management and sanitization procedures. Candidates with versatile leadership skills are best equipped to ensure the entire team can handle demanding or unforeseen situations. Leadership may also include innovation, such as creative menu curation.
What to listen for:
- Confident self-awareness, with demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience working independently with minimal supervision
- Independent approach to curating menus, pairing foods, and learning new prep methods
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