How to hire a line cook/dishwasher

How to hire a line cook/dishwasher, step by step

Here's a step-by-step line cook/dishwasher hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The line cook/dishwasher 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 line cook/dishwasher's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, line cook/dishwashers 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 line cook/dishwashers.

   Type of Line Cook/Dishwasher	Description	Hourly rate
   Line Cook/Dishwasher	Cooks prepare, season, and cook a wide range of foods, which may include soups, salads, entrees, and desserts.	$12-21
   Cook	Cooks are responsible for preparing meals for guests or employers. They must be knowledgeable about the different recipes and ingredients needed... Show more	$12-19
   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:

   • Food Handling
   • Cleanliness
   • Dishwashers
   • Kitchen Equipment
   • Culinary
   • Line Cooks
   • Food Preparation
   • Customer Service
   • Slicers
   • Sanitation Standards
   • Food Orders
   • Fine Dining
   • Safety Standards
   • Fryers

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
   • Maintain superb conditions of all grills, fryers, prep areas, and work spaces in the kitchen.
   • Have to follow certain steps for battering prior to cooking, and use a timer for the fryers for fry.
   • Leverage teamwork to fully utilize kitchen staff to generate remarkable food and service to ensure customer satisfaction.
   • Operate dishwasher to fully sanitize incoming dishes and silverware.
   • Prepare food items with special attention to individual orders concerning allergies and temperatures.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, line cook/dishwashers' average salary in mississippi is 46% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level line cook/dishwashers earn 41% less than senior-level line cook/dishwashers.
   • Certifications. A line cook/dishwasher 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 line cook/dishwasher's salary.

   Average line cook/dishwasher salary

   $16.56hourly

   $34,435 yearly

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   Entry-level line cook/dishwasher salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a line cook/dishwasher job description

   A job description for a line cook/dishwasher 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 line cook/dishwasher job description:

   Line cook/dishwasher job description example

   We are now hiring for our Back of House team. If you are looking for a fun and rewarding job with a great atmosphere, apply today!! Our ideal candidates have great energy and thrive on teamwork. We offer a fun, casual work environment that feels more like being part of a family. Check us out - you'll be happy you did!
   
   We are looking for Cleaners (Dishwasher), Expeditors, Grillers, and Prep Cooks. Please find brief descriptions of the jobs below:
   Cleaner:
   Cleaners are key in providing the Nando’s experience by making certain that our food and beverages reach our customers on sparkling china and glass. Our Cleaners clean and sanitize all dishes, glassware, utensils, pots and are responsible for maintaining organization and cleanliness of dish room, dish machine and storage areas. Cleaners are team players that also assist with cleaning other areas of the restaurant, putting away orders cooking chicken and basic food preparation as requested. Cleaners work with our team to exceed our guests’ expectations and to provide them with the Nando’s experience.
   
   Expeditor:
   The expeditor is the link between our kitchen and the customer. Expeditors ensure orders are prepared in a timely matter, meet Nando’s standards and reach the right customer. Expeditors also prepare and package take-out orders and are the final interaction with this important customer base. Expeditors must be organized and efficient while remaining professional, polite, and reliable. Our expeditors are quick and efficient while warm and gracious guides to our restaurants. Expeditors work with our team to exceed our guests’ expectations and to provide them with the Nando’s experience.
   
   Griller:
   Grillers take full ownership for the daily preparation and execution of food items in their station and provide an exceptional Nando’s experience by efficiently and consistently producing the highest quality chicken and other menu items. Grillers follow recipes, procedures and presentation standards consistently to ensure the best possible product is produced and executed. Grillers are team players that assist one another and work with the service team to exceed our customers’ expectations.
   
   Prep Cook:
   Nando’s Prep Cooks enable our restaurants to produce high quality items in a timely manner by keeping ingredients ready for service. A prep cook is responsible for the daily preparation of food items as assigned by the management team. Prep cooks ensure we use the freshest ingredients, follow sanitation guidelines and prep recipes to standard to maintain product consistency.
   
   Minimum requirements and expectations:
   • Ability to take direction and to work in a team environment.
   • Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure.
   • Commitment to quality service, and food and beverage knowledge.
   • Knowledge and comprehension of safety, sanitation, and food handling procedures.
   • Basic English language and professional communication skills are required.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find line cook/dishwashers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit line cook/dishwashers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 line cook/dishwasher

   Once you've decided on a perfect line cook/dishwasher 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new line cook/dishwasher. 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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