How to hire a cook/baker

How to hire a cook/baker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step cook/baker 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/baker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new cook/baker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a cook/baker, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A cook/baker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, cook/bakers 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.

   Here's a comparison of cook/baker salaries for various roles:

   Type of Cook/Baker	Description	Hourly rate
   Cook/Baker	Cooks prepare, season, and cook a wide range of foods, which may include soups, salads, entrees, and desserts.	$12-20
   Mexican Food Cook	A Mexican Food Cook works at restaurants or similar establishments that specialize in Mexican cuisine. Their responsibilities revolve around cutting meat and vegetable in portions, cooking and preparing according to company menu and guidelines, monitoring the supply of ingredients, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas... Show more	$11-18
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Kitchen Equipment
   • Food Service
   • Patients
   • Food Handling
   • Cleanliness
   • Math
   • Safety Regulations
   • Culinary
   • Steamers
   • Safety Standards
   • Food Products
   • HACCP
   • Quality Food
   • Food Storage

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
   • Use different kitchen tools (knives, slicers, kettles, dicers, ect).
   • Follow haccp and sanitation practices daily.
   • Gain a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of culinary, sanitation and organizing.
   • Perform research on any given culinary or nutrition base questions guests may of have.
   • Keep accurate temperature records of food items and practice FIFO in storing and using food items.

   More cook/baker duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the cook/baker job description is a good way to get more applicants. A cook/baker salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a cook/baker in Kansas may be lower than in Hawaii, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level cook/baker. Additionally, a cook/baker with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average cook/baker salary

   $15.79hourly

   $32,844 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level cook/baker salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

   Average cook/baker salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$39,401	$19
   2	California	$37,861	$18
   3	District of Columbia	$36,222	$17
   4	Colorado	$34,338	$17
   5	Illinois	$34,165	$16
   6	North Dakota	$32,349	$16
   7	Delaware	$32,341	$16
   8	Indiana	$29,738	$14
   9	Virginia	$29,731	$14
   10	Ohio	$28,648	$14
   11	Florida	$27,922	$13
   12	New Mexico	$27,781	$13
   13	Iowa	$27,169	$13
   14	North Carolina	$25,367	$12
   15	Louisiana	$24,481	$12
   16	Georgia	$24,379	$12
   17	Alabama	$24,035	$12

   Average cook/baker salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Santa Rosa City Schools	$37,367	$17.96
   2	Kettering Health Network	$37,162	$17.87	1
   3	University of Washington	$36,276	$17.44	4
   4	King County	$35,162	$16.90
   5	PCC Community Markets	$34,125	$16.41
   6	Kern Community College District	$33,845	$16.27
   7	Medstar Health	$33,803	$16.25
   8	SAGE Dining Services	$33,198	$15.96	44
   9	Elior North America	$33,007	$15.87	41
   10	Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County	$32,690	$15.72
   11	Rane LLC	$32,453	$15.60
   12	Ess	$32,440	$15.60	8
   13	Buena Vista University	$32,310	$15.53
   14	Panera Bread	$31,830	$15.30	277
   15	Highgate Hotels	$31,561	$15.17	29
   16	Northside Hospital	$31,360	$15.08	6
   17	HCR ManorCare	$31,234	$15.02
   18	Aramark	$31,054	$14.93	605
   19	Loma Linda University Health	$30,730	$14.77	1
   20	ProMedica Toledo Hospital	$30,462	$14.65

4. Writing a cook/baker job description

   A job description for a cook/baker 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 cook/baker job description:

   Cook/baker job description example

   **All the benefits and perks you need for you and your family:**
   
   + Benefits from Day One
   
   + Paid Days Off from Day One
   
   + Student Loan Repayment Program
   
   + Career Development
   
   + Whole Person Wellbeing Resources
   
   + Mental Health Resources and Support
   
   + Pet Insurance*
   
   + Debt-free Education* (Certifications and Degrees without out-of-pocket tuition expense)
   
   **Our promise to you:**
   
   Joining AdventHealth Altamonte Springs is about being part of something bigger. It's about belonging to a community that believes in the wholeness of each person, and serves to uplift others in body, mind and spirit. AdventHealth is a place where you can thrive professionally, and grow spiritually, by Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ. Where you will be valued for who you are and the unique experiences you bring to our purpose-minded team. All while understanding that **together** we are even better.
   
   **Schedule:** Days
   
   **Shift:** Full-Time, Varied shifts Monday to Sunday
   
   **Location:** 601 EAST ALTAMONTE DRIVE, Altamonte Springs, 32701
   
   **The community you'll be caring for:**
   
   + Faith based & mission driven organization
   
   + Central Florida's premier multi-specialty medical group
   
   + Comprehensive Employee Benefits such as Educational Reimbursement
   
   + CREATION Health employee wellness and lifestyle programs
   
   + Positive working climate to support a work life balance
   
   **Your role**
   
   + Achieves daily production schedules and meets all deadlines and commitments.
   
   + Presents products or plates in an attractive manner and garnishes appropriately.
   
   + Ensures that all cold and hot food products are stored and produced according to recipe specifications and proper procedures.
   
   + Adheres to all sanitation, cleanliness, and safety standards; monitors and records food and/or equipment temperatures.
   
   + Continually checks food for quality, taste, appearance and freshness. Takes corrective action when needed.
   
   + Minimizes food waste by preparing the amount needed, without running out; ensures proper portioning.
   
   + Is proactive to prepare substitutions for foods that may run out; effectively and proactively communicates those shortages and substitutions to the appropriate people
   
   + Performs other duties as assigned or directed to ensure a smooth operation of the department.
   
   **Qualifications**
   
   **What You Will Need to Succeed:**
   
   **Required:**
   
   + Ability to read, write and speak English well to effectively communicate and interact with internal and external customers
   
   + Ability to follow, read and write recipes as needed.
   
   **Preferred:**
   
   + Bilingual in Spanish, Microsoft Office Suite
   
   + Food Service line cook or lead cook experience
   
   + High School diploma or equivalent
   
   + Serv Safe or equivalent
   
   **The Big Picture**
   
   The ideal candidate actively participates in an outstanding customer service and accepts responsibility in maintaining relationships that are equally respectful to all. Under the direction of the Managing chef, responsible for preparation of all foods and related items for cafeteria and\or catering customers and\ or food for patients. Ensures that all food production is produced according to recipe specifications and proper procedures. Ensures that all products meet standards for quality, taste, appearance and freshness. Records product temperatures and monitors holding times as appropriate. Meets all production deadlines.
   
   This facility is an equal opportunity employer and complies with federal, state and local anti-discrimination laws, regulations and ordinances.
   
   **Category:** Nutritional Services
   
   **Organization:** AdventHealth Altamonte Springs
   
   **Schedule:** 1 - Day
   
   **Shift:** AdventHealth Altamonte Springs
   
   
   We are an equal opportunity employer and do not tolerate discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age or disability/handicap with respect to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion, wages, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find cook/bakers 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 cook/bakers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level cook/bakers 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 cook/baker job on Zippia to find and recruit cook/baker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with cook/baker 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. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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/baker

   Once you've decided on a perfect cook/baker 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.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new cook/baker first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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