Top 18 Prep Cook Interview Questions and Sample Answers

Example answer: “I have three years of experience working as a Prep Cook. During my tenure, I worked in a high volume kitchen that served more than 700 guests on a daily basis. I was in charge of preparing ingredients, managing inventory and plating dishes.”

For employers: Assess whether the candidate has experience working in a kitchen environment similar to yours. You want to see how well they do in a fast-paced environment and if they are proactive in assisting other staff members.

For employees: You want to mention specific responsibilities you had in your previous role. Make sure to emphasize your multitasking and teamwork skills.

Example answer: “My method is to go through the tasks based on how important and urgent they are. The first thing I do when I come to work is prepare ingredients that are outlined by the Chef. I make sure everything is washed, chopped and properly labeled. That way, I’m able to keep the kitchen well-organized from the start. Once that’s done, I focus on other tasks that help keep the kitchen clean and sanitized.”

For employers: It’s important that Prep Cooks have good time management skills as their work directly impacts the work of the Head Chef. Ideally, they should be able to demonstrate effective prioritization and communication skills.

For employees: You should highlight your ability to prioritize tasks effectively. Talk your employer through the process you’re using to make sure the kitchen operations are running smoothly.

Example answer: “One day at my previous workplace, the orders suddenly started piling up. We noticed we were struggling to finish things on time. It occurred to me that we should set up a simple prioritization system so we tackle the most important tasks first. Eventually, we managed to get through the day, ensuring the customers were satisfied with the service provided.”

For employers: The ideal candidate should demonstrate the ability to remain calm under pressure. In addition, they should also have good problem-solving skills.

For employees: Provide an example of a stressful situation that happened at work. Emphasize how you solved the problem to everyone’s satisfaction.

Example answer: “I remember my Head Chef coming up with a new dish while I was away. To make sure I understood how it was done, I observed the Chef every day. I would ask them questions when things were unclear. I also practiced in my free time, and I asked for their feedback afterward.

I was determined to repeat the process as many times as needed to master this new dish. Within a week, I was able to replicate what the Chef was doing. A few days later, I proactively assisted the Chef and prepared the dish independently following the food and safety regulations as well as high service standards we had at my previous job.”

For employers: You’re looking for a Prep Cook who’s adaptable and willing to learn new skills at work. Assess the techniques they use to master new recipes or new habits that would make their work easier and more effective.

For employees: Provide a specific example of a new skill you learned on the job. Make sure to highlight how you successfully implement this into your everyday work routine.

Example answer: “I like to keep the kitchen clutter-free. I make sure to put away all the ingredients I don’t need at the moment, so I can keep my working surface clean and tidy. That way, I can sanitize the kitchen without worrying about food lying around. I also actively store and label all products and keep them in their designated areas.”

For employers: Look for an employee who strictly follows cleaning practices in the kitchen. This is crucial because the quality of the preparation process will determine the quality of the dish you’re serving to the customer.

For employees: Elaborate on your cleaning practices. Also, mention the necessary precautions you take in order to prevent cross-contamination of food.

Example answer: “Being a Prep Cook for a few years now, I understand the importance of following food safety guidelines. That’s why I always use the food check thermometer to ensure the food is properly cooked. I also ensure that everything is stored immediately after use. I follow the FIFO principle, so no food goes to waste.

Also, to be absolutely sure I’m following the best practices and staying updated, I regularly attend food safety courses provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as food safety programs from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

For employers: One of the most important traits of a good Prep Cook is their unwavering commitment to following food safety procedures. You want someone who takes food storage and safety guidelines seriously at every step.

For employees: Mention the importance of following strict guidelines to demonstrate what you do on a daily basis to avoid food spoilage and cross-contamination.

Example answer: “I think it’s important to follow the Chef’s recipes so that every dish meets the restaurant’s standards. To ensure consistency, I like to use measuring tools to portion ingredients. I also regularly double-check my work. My workstation is always clean, which helps both me and my colleagues focus on the tasks at hand.”

For employers: Assess the applicant’s adherence to guidelines. Make sure they’re detail-oriented and willing to follow strict guidelines to stay well-organized at work.

For employees: Emphasize following the recipes consistently. Also, mention using measuring tools and keeping a consistent system in place that keeps your workstation clean at all times.

Example answer: “I found myself in a challenging situation when one of our ovens stopped working in the middle of my shift. I noticed that the orders were coming out slowly, so I went to the Head Chef to coordinate the service.

First, we informed the team that the oven wasn’t working. Then, we made sure to prioritize other dishes that didn’t require being baked. In the meantime, we transferred the food to a different part of the restaurant where the backup oven was placed. Thanks to our teamwork and good organization, all customers got their meals on time.”

For employers: Ideally, you’re looking for someone quick on their feet. You want a Prep Cook who can handle any unexpected situation calmly and come up with an effective solution to prevent the issue from escalating and negatively impacting the restaurant’s operations.

For employees: Provide a specific example of an unexpected situation that you were able to handle successfully. Make sure to mention steps you’ve used to de-escalate the situation and emphasize how your action contributed to a favorable outcome.

Example answer: “I’m committed to learning and excelling in my role. I remember once getting feedback from the Head Chef who said I could do a better job when it comes to how fast I work. We then sat together and identified the specific areas where I could improve. This has positively impacted the overall operations and I learned valuable lessons that I’m now continuously practicing wherever I go.”

For employers: With this question, you’re looking to assess the applicant’s responsiveness to feedback. You want them to demonstrate a willingness to learn on the job how to improve and advance in their career.

For employees: Mention how you value both positive and negative feedback and provide an example where you used the critique to improve your performance.

Example answer: “I take great pleasure in being a part of a hard-working team. I also enjoy the feeling of contributing to their success. I’m passionate about advancing in my career, and I’m always looking for ways to take on more responsibilities.

Having said that, I was wondering if you could tell me more about the team culture, as well as career growth opportunities for Prep Cooks in your establishment.”

For employers: You want to know if the applicant’s motivation and aspiration align with the responsibilities of a Prep Cook in the kitchen in your establishment.

For employees: While answering this question, make sure your aspirations align with the establishment you’re applying for. Tell the employer you’re excited to advance in your role and ask them questions about opportunities for growth.