How to hire a chief cook

How to hire a chief cook, step by step

Here's a step-by-step chief cook hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a chief cook job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new chief cook
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The chief cook hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A chief cook's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, chief cooks from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents chief cook salaries for various positions.

   Type of Chief Cook	Description	Hourly rate
   Chief Cook	Cooks prepare, season, and cook a wide range of foods, which may include soups, salads, entrees, and desserts.	$13-24
   Cook Supervisor	Cook supervisors are responsible for coordinating the kitchen members and ensure that all orders are prepared on time and according to customer specifications. They must be skilled in the culinary department, knowledgeable of the food safety regulations, and lead a team of cooks, washers, and helpers to achieve an organized kitchen... Show more	$12-29
   Prep Cook/Dishwasher	A prep cook and dishwasher is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing kitchen items and utensils, and performing basic cooking tasks under the supervision of chefs or cooks. It is also their responsibility to prepare ingredients by washing, chopping, weighing, and ensuring that they are the correct quantity and quality... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Meal Preparation
   • Kitchen Equipment
   • Cleanliness
   • Food Safety
   • Food Handling
   • Menu Planning
   • Cooking Methods
   • Fine Dining
   • HACCP
   • Slicers
   • Food Production
   • Inventory Control
   • Safety Standards
   • Broilers

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
   • Demand cleanliness of galley and equipment while assisting in meal planning and inventory management.
   • Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
   • Operate commercial dishwasher and ensure kitchen area are clean and sanitary at all times, catering to following shift crew members.
   • Display leadership abilities and responsibility by training new employees.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your chief cook job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A chief cook salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, chief cooks' average salary in mississippi is 48% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level chief cooks earn 43% less than senior-level chief cooks.
   • Certifications. A chief cook with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a chief cook's salary.

   Average chief cook salary

   $38,867yearly

   $18.69 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level chief cook salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a chief cook job description

   A job description for a chief cook role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a chief cook job description:

   Chief cook job description example

   At Savage, we pride ourselves on providing our Team Members with a focus on safety not typically seen in other companies. You will enjoy working in a 5S environment that is safe to work in and free of clutter while receiving top-notch safety training and procedures to ensure that everyone makes it home to their loved ones. Hire Right, Train Right, Treat Right…it's the Savage way.
   Benefits you receive when working with Savage:
   
   * A culture that appreciates team members
   * Profit Sharing
   * Excellent Benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) with match
   * Opportunity for growth
   * A commitment to helping our team members do things that they never dreamed possible
   
   Job Responsibilities:
   
   * Participate in all required Fire, Emergency, Abandon ship and Safety Training Drills
   * Obtain working knowledge of the Safety Management System and comply with all procedures outlined within
   * Clean and sanitize work area, equipment, utensils, dishes, and silverware
   * Plan, utilize, and Record inventory of consumables maintaining appropriate levels of all inventory items (food and sanitary)
   * Communicate with Chief Steward for all additional items needed
   * Prepare a variety of food 3 meals a day for a crew of 19 in accordance with USCG and Savage Marine Management System food handling provisions and procedures
   * Oversee the appropriate treatment of garbage and other waste and ensure appropriate disposal
   * Maintain a fixed daily work rotation as per STCW Work Rest guidelines.
   * Day for Day Rotation work schedule (avg. 45 day on/45 day off rotation)
   
   Requirements/Qualifications:
   
   * USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with
   * Ordinary Seaman, Wiper, Steward's Department (F.H.)
   * Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties (VPDSD) STCW VI/6
   * Valid USCG/STCW Medical Certificate
   * STCW Basic Safety Training; STCW VI/1
   * Must have a valid TWIC card and Passport
   * Other certificates and endorsements as deemed required for the operation and by Savage Marine
   * Self-motivated, proactive and good communication skills
   * Proven and effective manager and leader
   * For safety reasons, a COVID vaccination is required subject to the reasonable accommodation provisions of the ADA and Title VII
   
   Education/Experience:
   
   * High School diploma
   * ABS Nautical Systems NS5 experience preferred
   
   Physical Requirements:
   
   Able to work, lift and carry loads greater than 25 pounds, climbing and descending ladders. Must have current USCG/STCW medical certificate, renewed every 2 years.
   
   Additional Information:
   
   Savage has been designated as a 2022 Military Friendly Employer.
   
   Savage is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a drug free workplace.
   
   California Residents: Job Applicant Privacy Notice
   
   For more information or questions about opportunities at Savage, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team.
   
   Other details
   
   * Job Family Skilled Player
   * Pay Type Salary
   
   Apply Now
   
   * Florida, USA
   * Galveston, TX, USA
   * Houston, TX, USA
   * New Orleans, LA, USA
   * Tampa, FL, USA

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5. Post your job

   To find chief cooks for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any chief cooks they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level chief cooks with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your chief cook job on Zippia to find and recruit chief cook candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit chief cooks, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new chief cook

   Once you've selected the best chief cook candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new chief cook. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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