A well-written job description is the first step an employer can take to attract top candidates.
So, whether you’re opening up an entry-level Cook position or are looking for someone with more culinary experience to join your ranks, you want to hire the best possible candidate for your dining establishment.
We created this guide to help you do so — explore how to write the best job description for the Cook role.
Cook Job Description Example
We at [Restaurant Name] are seeking a talented and experienced Cook to join our team.
Your main responsibilities will be preparing and cooking various dishes according to our standards and recipes.
Your culinary expertise and experience will play a pivotal role in ensuring the ongoing quality of our dishes and customer satisfaction.
That said, we are looking for someone who can adapt to a fast-paced environment and is willing to work even on weekends, evenings and holidays.
If you have a passion for culinary arts, [Restaurant Name] offers an exciting opportunity for you to expand your knowledge and contribute to our culinary excellence.
Pay range: $15–$20/hour (non-tipped position)
Schedule: Full-time
Cook Duties & Responsibilities
- Prepare and cook menu items according to recipes
- Maintain kitchen cleanliness and hygiene standards
- Monitor food quality and freshness
- Follow food safety regulations and practices
- Collaborate with the kitchen team for efficient operation
- Assist with menu development and testing
Cook Experience Requirements & Skills
- Minimum of [Number] years of culinary experience in professional kitchens
- Proficiency in various cooking techniques
- Knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices
- Effective time management skills
- Attention to detail in food preparation and presentation
- Strong teamwork and communication skills
Cook Education and Training Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Culinary degree
- Apprenticeship or on-the-job training
Common Duties and Responsibilities of Cooks
A Cook can work in a restaurant, school, medical establishment or generally any location where food is prepared and served. As such, their specific responsibilities may vary depending on their employer and establishment.
They typically follow the directions of a Sous Chef or a Head Chef and prepare the food according to the instructions.
When writing about the duties and responsibilities for Cooks, you want to clearly define duties and responsibilities associated with the role. This will allow interested candidates to quickly learn what is expected of them.
In fact, both employers (92%) and applicants (91%) emphasize the importance of clearly outlined duties and responsibilities as key elements in a job description.
So, when writing about the duties and responsibilities, you want to use a bulleted format with short, concise descriptions of the expectations that come with the role.
Some of the common duties you can include are:
- Ensuring that ingredients are fresh
- Cutting, weighing and preparing ingredients for cooking
- Baking, grilling, frying or preparing meat and fish in some other way
- Garnishing and preparing the dish to be served
- Maintaining a clean kitchen environment
What To Include in Cook Skills and Experience
When writing the skills and experience section for your Cook job description, you want to focus on the aspects most relevant to the role.
The skills should be both to the technical expertise necessary to perform the role you are offering and the soft skills essential to navigating the kitchen environment.
If you are offering an entry-level Cook position, highlight the desired skills and (if you prefer) experience. However, if you are seeking an experienced Cook, highlight the number of years of experience you require and whether you are looking for someone with experience cooking specific types of dishes.
Use bullet points and highlight what is expected of candidates in the following way:
- A minimum of [number of years] in a relevant role
- Knowledge of [specific cooking technique]
- Time management
- Adaptability in fast-paced kitchen environments
- Excellent communication
Cook Education and Training Requirements
In a survey by the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), 44% said that Cooks need to have a high school diploma or equivalent.
[Source: O*NET]
This pie chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the chart to see detailed data.
However, it is up to you as an employer to choose the level of educational attainment you’d want Cook candidates to have.
Depending on the specific tasks associated with the role you are trying to fill, you may require your Cooks to have a bachelor’s degree or a specific certificate or apprenticeship.
Cook Hourly Wage Expectations
Cooks typically earn hourly wages rather than an annual salary. In the United States, the average wage for Cooks is $17 per hour.
However, you can also consider factors like skills, experience and location when deciding how much to offer your prospective Cooks.
Cooks in some major U.S. cities are often paid higher than the U.S. average. So, if you’re looking to hire a Cook in LA, NYC, Chicago or Miami, you can use the below information as a reference:
| City | Average Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $20.63 |
| New York City | $20.41 |
| Chicago | $18.28 |
| Miami | $17.49 |
Additionally, you can learn more about the compensation for this role in other parts of the U.S. on our Cook Salary page.
Explore Job Descriptions for Similar Culinary Roles
Cook Job Description FAQ
Whether candidates can apply for the role you are offering without experience is up to you.
Highlight the desired level of expertise and qualifications you want interested candidates to have. From there, examine their resume and see if they can contribute to your organization and whether their skills align with the role.
Considering that candidates spend only 14.6 seconds reading a job description, you want to be as concise and to the point as possible.
The ideal length for a Cook job description is typically between 300 to 700 words, providing enough detail to attract qualified candidates while remaining concise and easy to read.
It is also advisable to keep your job description limited to one page, as a job description spanning two pages may be overly long and could risk losing the attention of potential candidates.
However, for complex or senior-level positions, extending to a second page may be necessary.
Once you’ve posted your Cook job opening, here are some steps to find and hire the right Cook:
- Screen resumes: Review resumes carefully to identify candidates who meet your criteria.
- Schedule interviews: Conduct interviews with promising candidates to assess their skills, experience and fit for your team.
- Assess their skills: Consider conducting a practical cooking demonstration or skills assessment as part of the interview process.
- Check references: Contact the candidate’s references to verify their employment history, skills and work ethic.
- Evaluate cultural fit: Assess whether the candidate will fit in well with your kitchen team and company culture.
Yes, you can hire Cooks who are under 18.
According to the FLSA, employees aged 16 and above can work in any occupation other than the ones determined as hazardous by the Secretary of Labor.
In the context of a Cook and the responsibilities this role entails, employees under 18 cannot operate power-driven meat processing machines, commercial mixers or power-driven bakery machines.
Aside from that restriction, you can hire a Cook under 18 for other tasks and duties related to the role.
