How to hire a first cook

How to hire a first cook, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The first 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a first cook to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a first cook that fits the bill.

   This list presents first cook salaries for various positions.

   Type of First Cook	Description	Hourly rate
   First Cook	Cooks prepare, season, and cook a wide range of foods, which may include soups, salads, entrees, and desserts.	$12-20
   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:

   • Cleanliness
   • Patients
   • Food Handling
   • Culinary
   • Kitchen Equipment
   • HACCP
   • Quality Standards
   • Food Products
   • Food Quality
   • Slicers
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Room Service
   • Mixers
   • Portion Control

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain all charts and records according to ServSafe and Michigan USDA standards
   • Provide technical instruction and expert guidance on food preparation to earn culinary arts competitions.
   • Measure ingredients, using measuring cups and spoons.
   • Assist in loading and unloading of groceries to vessel.
   • Cater special menus for people with allergies and special diets.
   • Do inventory, order groceries, implement company policies and procedures.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, first cooks' average salary in mississippi is 50% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level first cooks earn 36% less than senior-level first cooks.
   • Certifications. A first 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 first cook's salary.

   Average first cook salary

   $16.37hourly

   $34,044 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level first cook salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 31, 2026

4. Writing a first cook job description

   A good first cook job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a first cook job description:

   First cook job description example

   Campus Dining is committed to the success of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors by nourishing them to be their healthy best while caring for the environment. If you are a cook by profession, love working with top ingredients, are a student at heart, and believe that community engagement happens around food, we’d love to hear from you! We welcome team members who share our passion for serving and caring for our community through exceptional dining experiences. In collaboration with our campus partners, we craft culinary programs that deliver unique memorable experiences. Campus Dining brings together expertise in culinary, wellness, sustainability, procurement, and hospitality to develop innovative programs in support of our diverse community. Our award-winning food program is based on scientific and evidence-based principles of healthy sustainable menus that are prepared by our culinary team with high-quality ingredients.
   
   We invite you to be part of our dynamic culinary team, grow as an individual and make an impact in a place where people, quality and value mean everything.
   
   The Cook will prepare the food requirements of the daily menu with concern for quality, appeal, presentation, cleanliness, safety, and cost. Responsible for maintaining the kitchen in a clean, safe, and orderly fashion.
   Starting Hourly Rate -$19.76 Why work at Princeton? Paid Time Off (including vacation, sick time, and 11 University holidays) Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Benefits (Effective on your first day) Employee Child Care Assistance Program Employee Tuition Assistance Children’s Educational Assistance Plan (Up to a $20,000 tuition grant for college) Continued Career Development & Growth Opportunities Commuter Benefits Program (50% Transit Subsidy/NJ Transit Bus Pass/Carpool) Free Uniforms & Meals Retiree Medical Plans Employee Referral Program- Earn up to $500 Bonus Culinary Boot Camp
   
   Responsibilities
   
   Responsible for the preparation and presentation of a full variety of foods for the menu, including soups, sauces, casseroles, stir fry’s, meats, cold foods, and vegetables. Adheres to standardized recipes; established portion sizes; and quality, taste, and presentation standards as set forth by the Department of Campus Dining. Assists in the ongoing training of kitchen personnel. Maintains the kitchen, kitchen equipment, and related areas in a safe and sanitary condition at all times. Corrects or reports any safety and sanitation hazards. Adheres to the policy of “clean as you go.” Assists in the daily, weekly, and periodic cleaning and maintenance duties. Maintains the storage areas, utilizing proper storage techniques, including enforcing an FIFO (first in/First out) policy for all foodstuffs. Is familiar with all food preparation procedures including the regular use of standardized recipes, batch cooking, portion control charts, production sheets, and service summary reports. Maintains and enforces the established energy conservation techniques and guidelines. Adheres to the policies and procedures of the Department of Dining Services and Princeton University. Assists with production, service, and clean-up of special functions on and off campus. Performs other tasks as directed by university management.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Minimum Requirements: Ability to read, write and follow verbal and written instructions, and execute recipes. High School Diploma. Prior dependable work record. Work Schedule Requirements/Information: Flexibility, late nights, early mornings, weekends, holidays, and work outside the unit is required. The schedule may be changed due to business needs. This is an essential personnel position. Experience Two or more years as a cook or the equivalent in the food service industry. Must be an accomplished cook and have a basic knowledge of food and supply systems. Knowledge of New Jersey State Health Department rules and regulations. Skills Required Must be a neat worker, alert and dependable. Must have the ability to coordinate tasks to meet production deadlines. Good interpersonal skills with ability to take direction and work with others. Knowledge of and experience with the use and maintenance requirements for kitchen equipment including char-boilers, steam jackets, kettles, pressure steamers, ovens, broilers, woks, grills, slicers, choppers, mixers, and various hand tools. Must have knowledge of food preparation for a full range of entrees, sauces, soups, and accompaniments; and knowledge of food cooking processes, e.g., grilling, frying, roasting, broiling, steaming, etc. (in an institutional environment preferred). Skill in presenting and garnishing food. Essential Job Functions stand or walk up to 2 hours at one time for a total of 6-8 hours per day. sit for no more than 2 hours during an 8-hour day, except for cashiers and card checkers who may sit for 2 – 4 hours at one time for a total of 4 – 6 hours per day. drive for no more than 30 minutes at one time. lift or carry up to 30 pounds in a range of motions from floor to overhead frequently (34 – 66% of the workday). lift or carry up to 50 pounds in a range of motions from floor to chest height occasionally (less than 33% of the workday). push or pull using forces up to 50 pounds occasionally (less than 33 % of the workday); use arms and hands for simple grasping, fine manipulation, pushing or pulling with forces up to 5 pounds continuously (67 – 100% of the workday) and up to 30 pounds frequently (34 – 66% of the workday); bend, squat, kneel, climb stairs, reach overhead, lift overhead occasionally (less than 33% of the work day); work under a range of temperature conditions (e.g., kitchens, walk-in refrigerators and freezers, etc); possess physical agility, full range of motion, and ability to maintain balance. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. EEO IS THE LAW
   
   PI194003800

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with first cook 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 first cook

   Once you've selected the best first 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.

   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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new first cook. 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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