Cook

Cook job description

A cook job description lists the skills required, preferred years of work experience and types of training that employers expect of their candidate. For example, a job description may specify the type of cuisine that candidates are required to be familiar with, such as Chinese or French cuisine. It may also mention the number of years of experience and educational qualifications the employer requires. Reading the job description carefully, identifying the keywords and incorporating them in your resume can help it pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) that employers use to sift applicants.

Responsibilities of a cook

Here are some common duties a cook performs:

Setting up workstations

Cooks set up workstations to prepare the necessary ingredients and cooking equipment for use. They ensure that all ingredients are fresh and of high quality and discard any damaged or expired items. Cooks perform this tastk to ensure the establishment's food is safe for consumption.

Preparing ingredients

Cooks prepare the vegetables and cut them according to the chef's instructions, such as chopping, dicing or slicing. They also prepare seafood by gutting, scaling, skinning and filleting fish, peeling prawns, preparing lobster claws and removing meat from crabs. Cooks also slice, cut and mince meats using different techniques.

Cooking food

Cooks prepare food according to the establishment's recipes. They measure, weigh and mix ingredients and use various cooking methods, such as baking, grilling, steaming and boiling. Cooks also operate kitchen equipment like broilers, ovens, grills and fryers to prepare dishes. They add seasonings and taste the food to ensure it meets the establishment's required standards. While cooking, they adhere to strict food handling, sanitation and safety procedures.

Cooks may be responsible for cleaning the kitchen, especially if the establishment is small and doesn't employ dishwashers or cleaners. This task may include mopping the floors and wiping wall surfaces before and after the establishment's operating hours. They may also help with washing light equipment in the serving area and kitchen. Occasionally, they undertake deep cleaning of the kitchen according to the management's instructions.Cook Job Description: Responsibilities and Requirements
Cook Job Description: Responsibilities and Requirements
Written byUpdated 5 March 2025Cooks work in a variety of settings, such as restaurants, hotels and catering services, and are responsible for preparing high-quality food items according to an establishment's standards and guidelines. If you're passionate about cooking and enjoy serving customers, you may consider working as a cook. Learning about a cook's responsibilities and requirements to become one can help prepare you for the job application. In this article, we provide a job description of a cook, explain their responsibilities and list the requirements to become one.Related: Related jobs on IndeeCook job description
A cook job description lists the skills required, preferred years of work experience and types of training that employers expect of their candidate. For example, a job description may specify the type of cuisine that candidates are required to be familiar with, such as Chinese or French cuisine. It may also mention the number of years of experience and educational qualifications the employer requires. Reading the job description carefully, identifying the keywords and incorporating them in your resume can help it pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) that employers use to sift applicants.Responsibilities of a cook
Here are some common duties a cook performs:Setting up workstations
Cooks set up workstations to prepare the necessary ingredients and cooking equipment for use. They ensure that all ingredients are fresh and of high quality and discard any damaged or expired items. Cooks perform this task to ensure the establishment's food is safe for consumption.Related:Preparing ingredients
Cooks prepare the vegetables and cut them according to the chef's instructions, such as chopping, dicing or slicing. They also prepare seafood by gutting, scaling, skinning and filleting fish, peeling prawns, preparing lobster claws and removing meat from crabs. Cooks also slice, cut and mince meats using different techniques.Cooking food
Cooks prepare food according to the establishment's recipes. They measure, weigh and mix ingredients and use various cooking methods, such as baking, grilling, steaming and boiling. Cooks also operate kitchen equipment like broilers, ovens, grills and fryers to prepare dishes. They add seasonings and taste the food to ensure it meets the establishment's required standards. While cooking, they adhere to strict food handling, sanitation and safety procedures.Related: Arranging final dishes
Cooks garnish and arrange dishes to ensure they're visually appealing to customers. They also check that the meal's portions and presentation meet the restaurant or hotel's standards. Food presentation and plating techniques include choosing the right plate sizes, incorporating different textures and creating height on the plate. For example, a cook might pipe potato puree onto plates or garnish dishes with sprigs of fresh herbs.Related: Maintaining a safe and sanitised workspace
Cooks clean and sanitise food preparation areas and equipment so that they are always clean for the next use. They ensure that work areas are safe by identifying potential hazards and removing them. For example, a cook cleans up spills on the floor or informs the chef of faulty equipment. Cooks may also instruct kitchen assistants on how to clean and maintain work areas and use new equipment safely.Related: Storing food
Kitchens often have a dedicated food storage area. Cooks determine the correct storage temperature of excess food to avoid spoilage. They also oversee appropriate dating, labelling and rotation of all food items to optimise their usage and minimise their wastage.Monitoring inventory levels
Cooks monitor supplies and re-order stocks for the kitchen. When suppliers deliver food items, the cooks usually assist with receiving the deliveries and check that the suppliers fulfil the orders correctly. Cooks are often responsible for recording food wastage and suggesting changes to regular orders to reduce a future surplus. Keeping accurate records of the kitchen's inventory helps an establishment to remain cost-effective in its operations.Ensuring customer satisfaction
Cooks may interact directly with customers for their feedback and try to resolve their requests or complaints. Customers may have special requests, such as they prefer a less spicy dish or more gravy. Cooks seek to enhance their dining experience by fulfilling such Performing cleaning duties