The Caterers Corner
Interviewing Chefs


WebFoodPros.com: Caterers Corner: Interviewing Chefs
By Monique (Monique) on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 12:31 am: Edit

As my small business expands I am looking for a trained chef. What kind of questions should I make sure I ask when interviewing them?
Also think putting up postings up at culinary schools to get chefs in taining. What do you think of that Idea. I want to use various chefs.

By Chefmanny (Chefmanny) on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 07:59 am: Edit

Are you looking for "a" Chef or cooks? Why various Chefs?
If you are thinking of getting kids fresh out of school, you get what you pay for and, they learn at your expense! Not that it's not a good idea if you find a good one, they have the latest knowledge available and are eager!
What are your needs? What type of establishment?
Hours? Breakfast, lunch , dinner?
As to what questions to ask, the basics!
Do they have transportation, read resumes, look for trends, do they last 1 or 2 years at a job, this is not necessarily bad, just count on it, do they drink, do drugs, not that they will tell you but when they tell you "NO" then they do you can see they lie, if they lie about one thing they'll lie about others, do they know how to cook what's on your menu is always a good question!

By Chefhdan (Chefhdan) on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 08:07 am: Edit

You don't want to use ANYONE "in training" unless there is someone to TRAIN them. From your other posts, you're seeking someone for catering and that can be a highly specialized chef in regards to the organizational skills as well as the culinary skills. You need to hire experienced talent with a proven track record, good references, and then have the canidate, perform a tasting for you. Oh, various chefs... will = various work product, your reputation will need to be built on consistancy!

By Chefspike (Chefspike) on Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 08:05 pm: Edit

chefdan, were you the one that sent me some addresses of servicemen over in south korea?
if you were would you please send them to me again cause i can't find them and would like to send them, some if not all a package. and please include what they would like to get. sorry, and thank you.
spike

By Chefspike (Chefspike) on Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 08:07 pm: Edit

sorry, i know thats off topic, please forgive and bare with me.
spike

By Steve9389 (Steve9389) on Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 11:07 pm: Edit

Manny, those are all good questions, except for one. It's illegal to ask if someone has transportation to work. As long as they show up, the law says it's not the employer's business how they get there. That's in the same category as asking marital status, whether someone has children, or whether they're dating somebody.

By Chefmanny (Chefmanny) on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 09:39 pm: Edit

Details!!!!!!!!!!!

By Chefhdan (Chefhdan) on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 08:40 am: Edit

Spike,
No not I for South Korea,
I've got a brother in law that's a Naval Commander, but his ship is doing drug interdiction in the Caribbean right now.
From what he's told me sailors, and most of the marines on his ship, are always likin' a good bottle of USA hooch!!!

By Flattop (Flattop) on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 08:16 pm: Edit

That was me Spike. I sent ya an email about it. As for the hooch, Yeah buddy!! Hooch is within any 18 yr olds reach at the Class 6 store. At least the boys and girls overseas don't pay the tax on it.


Add a Message


This is a private posting area. A valid username and password combination is required to post messages to this discussion.
Username:  
Password: