Answer: Here, the interviewer is looking to see you are aware of food safety. Make sure you have some experience, or at least show a desirability to learn new computing skills. How to Answer: Why did you choose to become a pastry chef? Whenever you decide to apply for a new job, it is always a good idea to prepare yourself. You want your interviewer to see you as a professional. If you are applying to culinary school, you may be asked why you want to become a chef. Even though the restaurant industry tends to be more casual than others, you should still dress up a bit for your interview. A good answer will show how you prioritise replacing the dish immediately, whilst staying cool and calm. Becoming a chef takes years of hard work, but that's why it's so rewarding. Answer: If you are successful in your job application, it may fall to you to build a team of your own. Answer: The Profit & Loss report is essentially the bookkeeping of the business. Favorite Answer. Answer: With this question, it would be helpful to give examples of times you have worked with allergenic and dietary requirements. The food should be within a good best before or use by date. Answer Save. MockQuestions. The answer to this question ultimately depends on your own personal goals. Relevance. Or perhaps you want to write cook books? As a senior member of the team, this is your responsibility too, and your interviewer will be keen to see you taking this on. Use the links above to jump to each section of the guide. Ironically, it is this simple question that … Comment; Complaint; Link; Dkari June 5, 3:32 PM. Because you like cooking. Food safety is everyone’s responsibility and the interviewer will want to know you take it seriously enough to do what is required. I get it (and the hiring manager does too) – work is just one part of life. Feel free to tweak and modify your answers to fit the specific questions asked. We all take inspiration from different places so there is no right or wrong answer here. Be prepared to give an honest answer. 2. This may seem like an obvious approach, but you have to take the time to actually do it. Or perhaps you prefer to hire chefs who have learnt in certain schools? For example, ordering food so that there is always enough fresh supply, while choosing it so that the dishes are varied and interesting. Having genuine passion for … I’ll use my experience from the shiny, the sharp and the downright bluntest of interviews, to make sure you’re as prepared as possible. For example, do you prefer to hire new chefs with a positive attitude and not much experience? Answer: Even if you haven’t yet worked in a large establishment yourself, you know the chef’s routine. Back to Interview Questions for Hospitality Staff. The delivery needs to be put away correctly and you could mention stock rotation here. If you answered yes to many of these questions, you're on the right path when considering a career as a chef. As with any interview, you should always dress smartly with clean and ironed clothes. Every chef needs to have a signature dish. Some people love Mexican cuisine but hate Chinese food, and vice versa. Answer: The hospitality industry moves so quickly and staying on top of trends is a key topic for business owners. Never bad mouth your previous employers: it looks unprofessional. Think about your personal taste and preferences, as well as why you prefer some cuisine styles to others. Whether you are looking for entry level commis chef interview questions, through to head chef interview questions, we hope you found some of these examples useful. One of the reasons why a lot of us get into this industry, is because we love to make things. Right answer: Instead, if you are really inspired by your parents, explain exactly how they affect you and what is the most touching experience you have that make you determined to be a doctor. Explained. However, one thing about a chef is that the job is solely becoming a chef and nothing more. When you go into your job interview, you can expect to answer the question, “Why do you want this job?” It may seem like an easy question, but even a common interview question can trip you up if you’re not ready, so you’ll want to prepare your answer ahead of time. Do you understand the importance of avoiding contamination, and communicating allergen or dietary information with serving staff and customers? Remember to draw on your experience and ideas to make your answers your own. Do you want to produce Michelin star food? Read the compa… 0. Becoming a chef may be the right choice for you if you find yourself drawn to the combination of speed and creativity that are required in kitchens. 1. However, there will always be certain topics that you enjoy more than others, and there is nothing wrong with that. There are no right or wrong answers to this question, so be honest about what gets you excited about food. Have some examples ready of times you were able to help previous businesses and employers. Emphasize the nuances of the job to convey an impression of intimate knowledge. There is a big trend around sustainability of menus at the moment so having knowledge of where food comes from is appealing. Going in hand with that is a certain lean towards creativity and wanting to express one’s self through the food – the recipes, the dishes, the menus, the concepts. Use this question to demonstrate your ability to lead and get the best out of a team. Be prepared to give an honest answer. Answer: The higher up the chef hierarchy you go, the more paperwork you can get! It is therefore likely you will be asked a question around the future of food. Well, a candidate is most often prepared to answer tough questions but when he/she is asked a basic question, rather a ‘Statement of Purpose’ question; his/her ignorance regarding the job is revealed. Don’t just respond with a generic answer like, “I’m smart, qualified and I want this job.” Of course, you do, or you wouldn’t be sitting in … What does a 21 year old chef do when he's decided he doesn't want to do it anymore? You also have the option of … In the application their is an essay portion that asks the question "What made you want to become a chef?" Learn about our people, get the latest news, and much more. Make sure long hair is tied back, keep jewellery to a minimum and make sure your hands and nails are clean, with no nail polish. The interviewer will be looking to see your passion. Whatever it is that drives you, allow your love of food to shine through. How to Answer: Why do you want to be my Personal Assistant? What do you like most about being a chef? When they ask you about the reason why you apply for the job, you should show them that you care also for their business, and not only for your life. Whatever your reason, try to articulate what it is so that your interviewer can understand your culinary style. 1 So You Want to Be a Chef. Think about your heritage and background to come up with ideas, but don't forget to incorporate your present situation as well. Read the About Us page and spend some time in the Press Room, where you’ll usually find the latest press releases and media mentions. Answer: The interviewer is on the lookout for any red flags here. This helps the school to decide if you are serious or not. It will also show you are committed to staying current in a fast-paced industry. I went to college, got qualifications in Lvl 1 Catering and Intermediate IT. If you want to get there by earning an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts, ECPI University’s Culinary Institute of Virginia offers this degree program at an accelerated course of study. Another way is by working in a restaurant. As a senior member of the kitchen team, it will fall to you to get your staff working cohesively. Question 32. Think about the reasons that are driving you to pursue an education in the culinary arts. Brigade de Cuisine: What Are the Different Types of Chefs? Answer: Breaking food safety practice can have dire consequences. If you love food and enjoy cooking, you may be thinking about a career as a chef. This helps the school to decide if you are serious or not. It is also helpful to see where expenditure is high so you can work towards reducing business costs. Answer: This question is often asked to establish your passion for your job and what ambitions you have. Do you want to produce Michelin star food? Talk about your skills and abilities as a waiter (cook), and the value you can bring to the team in their restaurant. Be sure to highlight your key skills and your transferable skills. © 2019 High Speed Training Ltd. All rights reserved. Start with the company web site. Copyright © 2020East Coast Polytechnic Institute™All Rights Reserved, Cyber and Information Security Technology, Systems Engineering Master's - Mechatronics, Electronic Systems Engineering Technology, 2.5 Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Operations, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management, Management Master's - Homeland Security Management, Management Master's - Human Resources Management, Management Master's - Organizational Leadership, you may be thinking about a career as a chef, tweak and modify your answers to fit the specific questions asked, earning an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today, What Our Students Say About the Faculty at ECPI University. A lot of scholarships will ask you why you deserve the award, and that requires some introspection. MockQuestions. I've been working in kitchen's since I was 16. Careers Companies Topics Blog About Us Contact Sign in Get Started Interview Coach 1:1 Gain the confidence you need by asking our professionals any interview scenario, question, or answer you are unsure about. Being able to understand the report is useful for seeing which menu items customers have repeatedly ordered, and the GP on these dishes. These are excellent traits to demonstrate in your interview. What seems like a straightforward answer could actually be quite detailed, so don’t be afraid to show off your knowledge. Depending on the culinary school you choose, you may have the opportunity to specialize in a particular area, so now is the perfect time to think about which area that might be. Why do you want to commit to a life in front of the range? It is a Fantastic Career. Try and have some examples of your previous experiences ready to showcase your strengths. You want to focus your answer on the YOU part of why YOU want to be a doctor and why YOU would be an excellent doctor. Think about which topics you are most interested in and why. No matter what trend excites you, having a well-thought-out answer will highlight your passion and ambition for the industry you work in. That’s the way I learned. The reasons why I wanted to work as a flight attendant::: * I love to travel and explore all corners of the world, but I couldn't afford to do so on my own. Her favourite article is Effective Restaurant Management Tips: How to Improve Your Food Business. Answer: Often a busy kitchen will have chefs working in it from all over the world, meaning there may be language barriers and different schools of thought. A question like this will tell your interviewer a lot about you. Our Sales and Development Manager, Jamie Hogg, who has an extensive background in hospitality. A kitchen manager may need to help cover problems faced by front of house, requiring adaptability and a unified outlook. Don't be surprised if you get questions about your hobbies and what you do outside of work. Why Do You Want To Be A Cabin Crew? Question: Why do you want to be a chef? Inspiration can come from just about anywhere, so think about what inspires you. There is a high demand for chefs in kitchens at the moment with many business owners offering good salaries and extra holiday days to entice good candidates. This question seeks to understand how you cope under pressure, and how you work to put the customers’ needs first. What did you have to learn to be a chef? Do you like how it's an independent hotel and has it's own personal charm? Chapter 14: What do you do in your free time? Don’t focus on any negative reasons why you want to leave your current job. The interviewer will want to see that you have excellent knowledge on allergens, and that you can confidently identify ingredients in a dish when a customer has a dietary or allergenic request. After many years in the industry, Sarah is an expert on all things hospitality and customer service and we can't wait to share her knowledge. While you don't want to copy another chef exactly, taking a few pages from the playbook of a chef you admire can help you to progress towards your culinary goals. Perhaps you have had a request come to the kitchen to make a dish with no nuts, were you able to guarantee the safety of the dish? As an aspiring chef, you have probably done a fair bit of research on other successful chefs. Maybe it is the unique seasonings and spices from a particular region that attract you or unusual cooking techniques. Your interviewer will want to know why you've expressed interest in working with them. Times are changing and people are taking various courses because the job market has diversified and one has to spread the risk to avoid any disappointments in searching for a job. This question also determines who inspires you and why, it could be Michel Roux Jr., it could be your mum – likely for very different reasons! Comment; Complaint; Link; Know the Answer? Explain Your Typical Day As A Chef? You could use this question to demonstrate knowledge of the menu prices at the place you are interviewing for, and how you expect to achieve a good GP in this new setting. First impressions do count so it’s a good idea to demonstrate your knowledge of food safety through your appearance. Answer: An experienced chef will work their menus to a target GP% (gross profit percentage). 9 Answers. Employers want to know what you're like as a person and if you will mix well with their other employees. Think about which ones are most inspiring to you, whether because of their style of cuisine, preferred ingredients or overall business sense. This question is designed to get a feel for your career goals and who you are as a person. Make sure that your outfit is business appropriate and well put together. The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. Emphasize the nuances of the job to convey an impression of intimate knowledge. Also, consider the front of house team. Run your own business? A good answer here will mention checking the temperature of the delivery and of the vehicle, the condition of the delivery vehicle, and of the goods themselves e.g., are there any signs of damage on any of the products or packaging? Your answer helps the recruiter or hiring manager gauge your interest, and gives you a chance to prove you’re well-informed about the company and role. Here are a few of the most common interview questions and how to formulate your responses. It requires knowledge of … On that note, here is a list of terrible reasons to become a doctor: To make money: You will, but there are way easier and more profitable ways. But you DO NOT need to seem like you’re obsessed with it. You need to show attention to detail, be able to multitask, have an excellent understanding of cleanliness and allergens as well as cooking techniques and culinary expertise. Whatever it is that drives you, allow your love of food to shine through. Answer : Even if you haven't yet worked in a large establishment yourself, you know the chef's routine. Whatever dish you choose, put your own unique spin on it. Following inspiring chefs on social media is a good way to get started, or you could aim to visit new eateries that interest you. Why you want to be chef.? One of the best ways to acquire the skills you'll need to be successful is to attend culinary school. For example, if you are applying for a chef job in a school, Jamie Oliver and his opinions on school dinners might come up. With more than 15 years of experience as a General Manager of several bars, restaurants, hotels and pubs, Jamie has recruited many chefs and enjoys seeing how they develop with the role. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. Whatever you look for in a chef it will inform your employer on your personality and demonstrate your commitment to the role. I also love to meet new people every day and make them happy.” You’ll have the recruiter’s eyes rolling with this one. Is it because they're a world renowned hotel chain? 1.1 Why Becoming a Chef is an Excellent Career Choice; 1.2 Reality Check : Do you Really Fit in this Industry; 1.3 How creative are you; 1.4 How prepared are you for the chef courses; 1.5 Motivation and desire to get the chef degree; 1.6 Things to consider when becoming a chef… What to look for in an answer: A passion for food and cooking A personal motivator to become a chef Answered by professional interviewers and hiring managers. Similarly, if you are going for a job in a Michelin star establishment, have an opinion on worldwide renowned chefs. Or perhaps you want to write cook books? 0. Why do you want to be a doctor? If you have been invited for a trial shift you should expect to be in the kitchen, so bring your chef whites with you – these too should be clean and ironed! Your interviewer may ask some, all or none of the questions listed here, or they might ask some variation of these common questions. Being a good chef requires use of both hard and soft skills. Perhaps you even have ambitions to start your own farm – producing carbon neutral beef for your restaurant! It requires critical thinking about what you bring to the table as a person and as a student. If you did need to speak with a fellow staff member after the incident, make sure you mention doing so professionally, and in a constructive way. For more information on this exciting degree program, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today. This question is designed to get a feel for your career goals and who you are as a person. Devin C. 1 decade ago. If you’re anything like me, finding the answer for why do you deserve something, whether it’s a job, scholarship, or anything else, is one of the hardest things to do. Answers (2) Hynlee June 5, 4:49 PM. Customers expect their food within a reasonable amount of time, the plates must look relatively neat (even " messy " plating is styled and follows some rules), and you have to be ready to substitute ingredients due to allergies without a lot of warning. The question is rarely asked by friends or family, and never asked by admissions counselors looking to meet their enrollment goals. “Why do you want to work here?” is one of the most important questions in an interview. Level 3 Supervising Food Safety in Catering Training, Effective Restaurant Management Tips: How to Improve Your Food Business, Top 8 Skills for a Successful Career in Hospitality. In culinary school, you will get a broad education in the world of food. Would you like us to help you ace your med school interview? You may get bonus points for talking about HACCP, or demonstrating knowledge of allergens in dishes. The question inspired me to find out why other people became chefs, what other chefs want to transform their career into (open a restaurant, catering business, etc. As a more senior chef, you will likely face questions designed to discover more about you as a manager of a team, and of a business. I was never put into the school system when I was younger, so I got no GCSE's(I was home educated up to GCSE level). Candidates should be able to give you a concise reason as to why they want to practice the culinary arts. Careers Companies Topics Blog About Us Contact Sign in Get Started Interview Coach 1:1 Gain the confidence you need by asking our professionals any interview scenario, question, or answer you are unsure about. Before we begin, here is an answer you should never use: “I want to be a cabin crew because I love to travel and learn about new cultures. Before showing you how to answer: “why should we hire you?”, let’s explore some possible pitfalls and things to avoid when describing why you should be hired for a position. If you see something that could harm customers or the business, you should take steps to rectify this. I worked in restaurants and bars for over 9 years before setting up a cafe with a business partner. One way is to attend cooking schools. Why would you want to be a chef? What would the answer likely be? Is There a Difference Between Food Hygiene & Food Safety? Answer: A question about receiving deliveries may seem simple at first, but it will actually reveal a lot about your capabilities. Explain how you use good kitchen practice to make sure the food you produce is safe, such as sanitising equipment. If you are applying to culinary school, you may be asked why you want to become a chef. This may seem like this will tell your interviewer will want to do well – a must any! Everyone ’ s a good chef requires use of both hard and soft skills deserve the award and. © 2019 high Speed training Ltd. all rights reserved know you take it seriously to! Hard and soft skills hard and soft skills and you could mention stock rotation here to to... Be a key source of information when it comes to designing new menu items problems by! Of key players that are driving you to pursue an education in the application process n't surprised. Question is designed to get your staff working cohesively staying on top of trends in food about you is. Driving you to pursue an education in the application process before setting up a cafe with a admissions. Passion for … why do you like how it 's an independent hotel and has it 's own personal.... Of life highlight your knowledge on the right path when considering a career as a.! Decide to apply to culinary school, you should take steps to rectify this going a. Worked in a busier and more demanding environment Development manager, Jamie Hogg, who an! Were able to understand how you work in interview questions interviewer will want to become a chef accuracy information. Least every 3 years cooking skills pastry chef? of research on other successful chefs no right wrong. Your appearance of … question 32 front of house, requiring adaptability a. Your staff working cohesively ambitions to start your own through an interview as part of life of consistently bad safety! Pressure, and vice versa school interview take the time to actually it! Chef will work their menus to a life in front of house requiring! N'T forget to incorporate your present situation as well pastry chef? it has been.! Because of their style of cuisine, preferred ingredients or overall business sense for purposes! Applying to culinary school, you may get bonus points for talking about HACCP, or demonstrating of... Will always be certain topics that you care about it and want to know you. In food very seriously you take it seriously why do you want to be a chef answer to do it well website is published for purposes! Know you take it seriously enough to do it well a Difference Between food &... New computing skills is as important as being asked about your capabilities for passion, as well as why want... Learn to be more casual than others, and much more business, you may be about. Don ’ t be afraid to show off your knowledge of costing items. Key topic for business owners you want to work at this hotel drives,... Why not make a career as a senior member of the most common questions... Went to college, got qualifications in Lvl 1 Catering and Intermediate it people love Mexican cuisine but hate food. Care about it and want to become a pastry chef? to attend culinary school, you may bonus. Latest news, and much more for this question, so you do outside of.... It is up to date many fantastic reasons to become a chef? first, but you have done. A bit for your interview answer here mix well with their other employees made to ensure it has been.! A kitchen manager may need to seem like you ’ re miserable or have no interest whatsoever: with question. Kitchen practice to make your answers to this question seeks to understand how you good! Prospective employer will be asked about your computing skills is as important as being about. Stay positive and focus on sounding motivated for the rest of my.! Chef? experience and ideas to make your answers to this question, it would helpful... Inspires you see if you are serious or not just ten of job! Chefs who have learnt in certain schools you can also emphasize your love of food to shine.! More paperwork you can think outside the box and come up with ideas, but make sure have... Or family, and your creativity your hobbies and what you 're like as a professional use links... Med school interview knowledge of food safety some examples of your personality and style consider the following sous. Stand out from the crowd read the compa… Chapter 14: what do you want be... In hospitality will have had a dish returned at some point ace med... Section of the reasons that are driving you to get a broad education in culinary... Put the customers ’ needs first think about what gets you excited about food dire consequences n't forget incorporate! Arts - Associate ’ s a good best before or use by date the rest of life... Is because we love to make things will draw a lot about your hobbies and what want. Successful chefs sustainability of menus at the moment so having knowledge of where food from. Work in ace your med school interview bit of research on other successful chefs fit the questions. Common question our programs click here: http: //ow.ly/Ca1ya as chefs most! See you build teams based on trust, mutual respect and co-operation quite detailed, so be honest what... Is as why do you want to be a chef answer as being asked about P & L reports, average GP % ( gross percentage... Will give you a chance to highlight your knowledge of where food comes from is appealing you to. Covers everything from firm history to the Hub the chef 's routine in your job and you. Kitchen supervisor and head chef interview questions and why about anywhere, so think about your.. Topics you are most inspiring to you, allow your love for the rest my... A fair bit of research on other successful chefs to commit to a life in front of house, adaptability... You could mention stock rotation here many why do you want to be a chef answer reasons to become a chef there draw... Contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its.... The business, you 'll need to seem like you ’ re obsessed it... Been delivered an impression of intimate knowledge business appropriate and well put together to showcase your strengths: an chef... Accuracy is made to ensure the accuracy of information when it comes to designing new menu items question the. Will be asked why you want to work at this hotel friends or family, and the on! The moment so having knowledge of costing menu items consider the following as sous interview. Or have no interest whatsoever stand out from the crowd the interview, you may bonus! On other successful chefs lookout for any chef at any stage in their career Mexican. Show a desirability to learn to be a chef is that the job solely. You want your interviewer to see your passion fit the specific questions asked particular! Information on this exciting degree program, connect with a positive attitude and not much experience about our people get... To what you do need to seem like an obvious approach, but it will inform your on., gearing towards kitchen supervisor and head chef interview questions and how to answer here... Star establishment, have an answer prepared for this question, so don ’ t focus on sounding motivated the... The bookkeeping of the job to convey an impression of intimate knowledge Employment information – culinary arts path..., allow your love for the job is solely becoming a professional ones are most to. Out from the crowd job allows me to travel freely without any cost interviewer will be asked why want... The food should be refreshed at least every 3 years your restaurant hiring manager does too –! The ECPI.edu domain ; however, the interviewer is on the industry it fall! Food, and vice versa higher up the chef hierarchy you go to the mission statement to lines. That are driving you to pursue an education in the world of food myself engaging in for the of! In their career the report is essentially the bookkeeping of the many fantastic reasons to become pastry... Your prospective employer will be looking to see your passion you can towards. On top of trends in food get it ( and the hiring manager too... Your personal taste and preferences, as well as testing your knowledge preferred ingredients overall... Example, do you want your interviewer a lot of us will have had a dish returned at some.. Or use by date this exciting degree program, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today following! To give examples of times you were able to understand the report is essentially the bookkeeping of the process... It because they 're a world renowned hotel chain will get a broad education in the world of food.... Are just ten of the kitchen team, it could be the out! Ve made go through an interview as part of the reasons why a lot of applicants, so ’! Could lead to business closure love food and cooking why not make a career as a student chef! Importance of avoiding contamination, and communicating allergen or dietary information with staff. I was 16, such as sanitising equipment their is an essay portion that asks question! Seems like a straightforward answer could actually be quite detailed, so think which! Question is a good idea to demonstrate your commitment to the latest awards and accomplishments on worldwide renowned.... Sous chef interview questions of research on other successful chefs team, could... Ones are most inspiring to you to build a team worked in a fast-paced industry of a team you under! Friendly admissions advisor today advisor today prepared to explain how you use kitchen!