How to hire a cook

How to hire a cook, step by step

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

What does a cook do?

Post a cook job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The 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 cook's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, 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 shows salaries for various types of cooks.

   Type of Cook	Description	Hourly rate
   Cook	Cooks prepare, season, and cook a wide range of foods, which may include soups, salads, entrees, and desserts.	$12-19
   Line Cook, Prep Cook	A line cook/prep cook is responsible for assisting with food preparations, ensuring that all ingredients are readily available and stored safely. Line cook/prep cook tasks also include reviewing and updating menus to keep the customers' patronization... Show more	$12-19
   Line Cook/Dishwasher	A line cook/dishwasher is primarily in charge of prepping food and maintaining their work station's cleanliness while adhering to health standards and protocols. Among their duties include washing and chopping vegetables, cutting meat according to requirements, preparing sauces, and cooking according to an executive chef's directives... Show more	$12-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Food Handling
   • Food Service
   • Cleanliness
   • Kitchen Equipment
   • Basic Math
   • Culinary
   • Customer Service
   • Quality Food
   • Quality Standards
   • Math
   • Patients
   • PET
   • Safety Standards
   • Rehabilitation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Achieve completion to cook, prep and dish meticulous meals to an immense amount of customers with proficient dexterity quality.
   • Organize production and set up broiler station for lunch shift, manage grill with 30-40 steaks at varying temps and cuts.
   • Lead cook line and instruct cooks and other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, and presentation of dishes.
   • Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
   • Develop ability to manage multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining high levels of culinary excellence.
   • Operate large volume cooking equipment such as grills, deep fryers, and griddles.

   More cook duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the cook job description is a good way to get more applicants. A cook 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 in Arkansas may be lower than in Hawaii, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level cook. Additionally, a cook with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average cook salary

   $15.29hourly

   $31,803 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level cook salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 24, 2025

   Average cook salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$37,003	$18
   2	California	$36,696	$18
   3	Massachusetts	$36,587	$18
   4	New York	$36,239	$17
   5	District of Columbia	$35,335	$17
   6	Maine	$33,922	$16
   7	Oregon	$33,804	$16
   8	Minnesota	$33,515	$16
   9	Nevada	$32,833	$16
   10	Maryland	$32,072	$15
   11	Illinois	$31,331	$15
   12	Colorado	$31,009	$15
   13	Pennsylvania	$30,892	$15
   14	Arizona	$30,519	$15
   15	Utah	$29,800	$14
   16	Virginia	$29,669	$14
   17	Wisconsin	$29,616	$14
   18	Florida	$28,995	$14
   19	Ohio	$28,042	$13
   20	North Carolina	$27,773	$13

   Average cook salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	University of California-Berkeley	$40,923	$19.67
   2	Kemps	$40,839	$19.63
   3	University of Massachusetts Boston	$40,784	$19.61
   4	ZS	$40,223	$19.34
   5	Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics	$39,711	$19.09
   6	Columbia University in the City of New York	$39,679	$19.08	4
   7	Uline	$39,241	$18.87	2
   8	Aspen Snowmass	$39,101	$18.80	43
   9	Bertucci's	$39,083	$18.79	4
   10	National Pancake House	$38,501	$18.51	12
   11	Palmetto	$38,470	$18.50	2
   12	University of California	$38,437	$18.48	12
   13	State Bar of Michigan	$38,413	$18.47	12
   14	On The Border	$38,386	$18.45	59
   15	Kohler Co.	$38,240	$18.38	7
   16	J.F. Shea Co	$38,040	$18.29	22
   17	Zoës Kitchen	$38,016	$18.28
   18	Marquis Companies	$37,941	$18.24	1
   19	UC Santa Barbara	$37,783	$18.16
   20	Resorts World Catskills	$37,761	$18.15

4. Writing a cook job description

   A cook 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 job description:

   Cook job description example

   This entry-level kitchen position earns a competitive wage of $15/hour . We provide terrific benefits , including medical, dental, vision, a 401(k), and discounts on hotel rooms. If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, apply today!

   SCHEDULE

   This entry-level restaurant position is full-time. We offer two shift options for you to choose from: 5 am - 12 noon or 4 pm - 11 pm.

   A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A COOK

   As a Cook, you are the engine that makes our hotel restaurant run. You enthusiastically prepare breakfast or dinner items and ensure that food is ready and cooked properly in a timely manner. In the morning, you make sure the breakfast buffet line is prepped. You also cook made-to-order items, such as omelets, french toast, and pancakes. You have a thorough knowledge of our menu, which comes in handy as you prepare food for our guests.

   Always meticulous, you take charge of completing daily cleaning and sanitation checklists while following all safety procedures. You also maintain a well-functioning kitchen environment by keeping things well stocked and organized. As a crucial part of our food service team, you find great fulfillment in making good food and contributing to our guests' experience!

   QUALIFICATIONS

   • Ability to obtain a food handler's permit

   Can you work effectively in a fast-paced environment? Are you detail-oriented? Do you work well with others? If yes, you might just be perfect for this entry-level food service position!

   ABOUT HILTON GARDEN INN OF OVERLAND PARK

   Our hotel strives to provide the best service possible and ensure our guests feel right at home with our free WiFi, restaurant, fitness center, indoor pool, and 24-hour snack shop. We offer comfortable accommodations and caring staff that ensure every stay is memorable. Our team contributes to a very uplifting work environment that inspires each person to succeed in their role. We know that our employees are at the heart of what we do, which is why we value their time by offering flexible scheduling and room for advancement . Working together is the foundation of our success, and one of the reasons our team loves coming to work here!

   ARE YOU READY TO JOIN OUR KITCHEN TEAM?

   If you feel that you would be right for this entry-level food service job, please fill out our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application. We look forward to meeting you!

   Location: 66211

   
   
   Job Posted by ApplicantPro
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right cook for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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

   Once you have selected a candidate for the cook position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new cook 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a cook?