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Interview Questions

Top 45 Sous Chef Interview Questions & How To Answer Them 

Here are some of the most common questions asked in Sous Chef interviews. They’re a great way to help hiring managers find the right person for the job.

Table of Contents

Popular Interview Questions for a Sous Chef

We want to set culinary professionals up for success. So, we prepared a list of the seven most common questions. We’ve also collaborated with hiring managers to give further insights that will help you stand out from the crowd. Continue reading if you want to land that Sous Chef role.

The Best Sous Chef Interview Questions

1. Technical Sous Chef Interview Questions

2. Problem-Solving Sous Chef Questions

3. Sous Chef Interview Questions About Leadership

Types of Interview Questions for Sous Chef

  • Technical Sous Chef Interview Questions: We know that kitchen inventory and supply management are two important factors for the success of a Sous Chef. Make sure to practice answering questions from this list and test not only your current knowledge, but also your confidence.
  • Problem-Solving Sous Chef Questions: In the role of Sous Chef, problem-solving is expected on the go. As a candidate, you need to show that ad hoc challenges and problems don’t stress you out. On the other hand, if you’re a recruiter, you should provide real-life examples of things that might happen in your establishment or have happened in the past.
  • Sous Chef Interview Questions About Leadership: In this position, leadership plays a huge role. Employers need someone they can rely on and trust to run things when the Executive Chef is out. As a candidate, you will be expected to show dedication and the willingness to lead by example.

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What Are the Top Interview Questions for Sous Chef?

In this list, you'll find more general questions for Sous Chef interviews that you can expect.

38 More Sous Chef Interview Questions

  • What is it that you are looking for in an employer?
  • What are your career goals and how does this role support your goals?
  • Are you willing to work long shifts?
  • Do you have experience working in a multicultural team?
  • Is there anything on our menu that you would like to change?
  • What prepared you for the role of a Sous Chef?
  • What is your leadership style and how do you see it aligns with the values of our establishment?
  • Which stations in a kitchen are your forte?
  • How do you handle stress?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses as a Sous Chef?
  • How do you stay updated with the latest culinary trends and techniques?
  • How would you handle a situation where a dish is sent back by a customer?
  • How do you define success in this role?
  • What steps do you take to minimize food waste?
  • How do you handle a team member who is not performing up to standard?
  • What is your approach to teaching less experienced staff?
  • How do you prepare for special events or high-volume reservations?
  • Can you work within specific dietary themes or restaurant concepts?
  • How do you manage work-life balance in a high-stress environment?
  • What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in a kitchen?
  • How do you handle feedback or criticism from your team?
  • How do you resolve communication breakdowns during service?
  • Where did you receive your culinary training, and what kind of experience do you have?
  • In your experience, what role does the Sous Chef play in a kitchen?
  • Tell me about a time when you had to adapt a recipe due to ingredient limitations.
  • What kind of kitchen equipment are you most familiar with?
  • What certifications do you hold for food safety or culinary arts?
  • How many years have you been in a leadership role in the kitchen?
  • What specific culinary techniques are you most skilled at?
  • Can you share an example of a kitchen innovation you introduced?
  • What has been your proudest achievement as a Sous Chef?
  • How do you handle kitchen operations during staff shortages?
  • What kind of food trends do you predict will dominate the next few years?
  • If the stove suddenly stops working mid-shift, what’s your plan of action?
  • If a fire occurs in the kitchen, what are your immediate steps?
  • How would you react to a new menu item not meeting sales expectations?
  • How would you react to a health inspector arriving during peak hours?
  • How do you deal with a supplier sending poor-quality ingredients?

More Interview Tips for Sous Chef Applicants

Regardless of the position you are interviewing for, don’t forget that the first impression is very important. What can you do to stand out?

  • Dress professionally.
  • Ensure your hair and nails are neat.
  • Prepare questions for the hiring manager. You can ask anything relating to your career, how your typical day will look like, what the busiest times are, what the leadership style is and such.
  • Don’t forget that a smile opens many doors.
  • Pay attention to your body language.

Interviewing Tips From Executive Chef Mark Dowling

Check out this interview from Executive Chef and Chef Mentor Mark Dowling where he gives out great interview tips to help you make a great impression in your interview.

[Source: Escoffier Home Gourmet]

Expert-Backed Interview Tips for Employers

While creating these Sous Chef interview questions, we didn’t only rely on our expertise; we also asked an actual professional what to look for when hiring for a Sous Chef role.

Hanalei Souza is a Sous Chef who runs the show at Pine Cone Kitchen down in California. She is currently the right hand to the Executive Chef and might need another Sous Chef soon. So, we asked her what to look for in a Sous Chef candidate. Besides obvious skills such as cooking, hard work and dedication she emphasized leadership qualities.

"You need your Sous Chef to know all the stations. They need to be able to fill in at any station. A Sous Chef can’t lead the team if they don’t know exactly what is going on at each station. A Sous Chef needs to know everything about the pit station, sauté station, pizza station, and more. Otherwise, the team won’t respect their authority, which is critical for success in this role."

Hanalei Souza, Sous Chef at Pine Cone Kitchen

Sous Chef, Hanalei Souza

So, a pro tip for those interviewing a Sous Chef candidate: Ask more leadership and situational questions than technical. As Chef Hanalei says, every skill is teachable.

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