How to hire a cook apprentice

How to hire a cook apprentice, step by step

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

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the cook apprentice you need to hire. Certain cook apprentice roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect cook apprentice also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of cook apprentices and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Cook Apprentice	Description	Hourly rate
   Cook Apprentice	Cooks prepare, season, and cook a wide range of foods, which may include soups, salads, entrees, and desserts.	$13-20
   Short Order Cook	A short-order cook takes responsibility for preparing foods in cafes and restaurants. Usually, they fry eggs, cook fries, and prepare sandwiches... Show more	$11-18
   Lead Line Cook	Typically, lead line cooks work under the supervision of a chef or head cook in a kitchen. Leadline cooks oversee the food preparation process from start to end... Show more	$12-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Culinary
   • Kitchen Equipment
   • Sauces
   • Roasting
   • La Carte
   • Food Quality
   • Broilers
   • Fine Dining
   • Saut
   • Food Preparation

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
   • Cook foods by baking, roasting, broiling, frying, saut? ing and grilling.
   • Operate standard cooking equipment, including grills, ovens and broilers.
   • Gain cooking methods, including roasting, deep fat frying, broiling, and saut ing.
   • Cook foods by frying, saut? ing, steaming and grilling.
   • Acquire cooking skills, saut, grill, salad, breakfast, soups and desserts.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your cook apprentice job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A cook apprentice can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, cook apprentices' average salary in west virginia is 41% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level cook apprentices 33% less than senior-level cook apprentices.
   • Certifications. A cook apprentice with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a cook apprentice's salary.

   Average cook apprentice salary

   $16.69hourly

   $34,707 yearly

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   Entry-level cook apprentice salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a cook apprentice job description

   A cook apprentice job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a cook apprentice job description:

   Cook apprentice job description example

   We have a strong commitment to equity The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner. Tell me about this job! Cook’s Apprentices assist the kitchen staff with all camp food service operations. They’ll work alongside the full-time kitchen team to help with preparing camp food, and may assist with dishwashing and maintaining overall cleanliness of the kitchen. All members of the kitchen team will be supervised by the Food Services Director and perform other duties as assigned. To learn more about working with Camp & Outdoor Leadership at the Y, please visit us online at www.campingandoutdoorleadership.org What you'll get from working at The Y Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household Retirement with generous employer contributions Free access to mental health resources Rapidly-accruing paid time off (PTO) available immediately upon hire Discounts on qualifying YMCA of Greater Seattle childcare and day camp programs The YMCA of Greater Seattle is committed to providing a positive atmosphere that prioritizes safety and inclusivity for all employees. The YMCA of Greater Seattle has implemented safety standards and protocols related to preventative health measures based on CDC and local health department guidelines. As of March 12, 2022 COVID Vaccinations Requirements for this role are Highly Recommended. Certain programs at the Y of Greater Seattle may require proof of vaccination, in compliance with local state and federal guidelines. If applicable will be assigned within onboarding. To see requirements for each program within our association, click here. Responsibilities: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
   1. Assists Food Service Director as needed.
   2. Helps prepare and serve food following food and safety regulations.
   3. Stores food and supplies, assuring proper rotation.
   4. Assists in dishwashing, including pots and pans.
   5. Assists with general kitchen and lodge cleaning.
   6. Attends kitchen staff meetings.
   7. Other duties as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. WORK ENVIRONMENT
   This job operates in a commercial kitchen at a seasonal residential camp. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift products and supplies. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK
   This is a part-time, shift position. Shifts vary depending on group needs. Working nights and weekend shifts may be required.
   
   TRAVEL
   All travel required for work will be done by YMCA Authorized Drivers. Qualifications: POSITION REQUIREMENTS
   1. Assists Food Service Director as needed.
   2. Helps prepare and serve food following food and safety regulations.
   3. Stores food and supplies, assuring proper rotation.
   4. Assists in dishwashing, including pots and pans.
   5. Assists with general kitchen and lodge cleaning.
   6. Attends kitchen staff meetings.
   7. Other duties as assigned. PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
   • Current state approved first aid certification
   • Current state approved CPR certification
   • High school graduate or equivalent
   • One or more years of college preferred. Other applicable education, training, and experience which provides the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to preform effectively in the position will be considered
   • Prefer knowledge of and previous experience with diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.). Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful. MISSION STATEMENT
   Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.
   
   OUR VALUES
   • Respect
   • Responsibility
   • Honesty
   • Caring
   • Passion for Excellence YGS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law.
   
   All job offers are contingent on the results of a background check. We participate in the Federal E-Verify system.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right cook apprentice for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with cook apprentices they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit cook apprentices who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with cook apprentice candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of 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 cook apprentice

   Once you've decided on a perfect cook apprentice candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new cook apprentice. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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