How to hire a station cook

How to hire a station cook, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

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

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

   Type of Station Cook	Description	Hourly rate
   Station Cook	Cooks prepare, season, and cook a wide range of foods, which may include soups, salads, entrees, and desserts.	$12-20
   Prep Cook/Dishwasher	A prep cook and dishwasher is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing kitchen items and utensils, and performing basic cooking tasks under the supervision of chefs or cooks. It is also their responsibility to prepare ingredients by washing, chopping, weighing, and ensuring that they are the correct quantity and quality... Show more	$12-18
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Culinary
   • Cold Station
   • Food Handling
   • Kitchen Equipment
   • Fine Dining
   • Slicers
   • Mixers
   • Cuisine
   • Food Products
   • Pasta
   • Customer Service
   • Fryers
   • Dinner Service
   • Hot Food

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
   • Filter and boil out fryers.
   • Share responsibilities with culinary supervisors on weekly food orders and assist in completing restaurant temperature charts nightly.
   • Maintain and follow proper hygiene and sanitation standards.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, station cooks' average salary in mississippi is 44% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level station cooks earn 36% less than senior-level station cooks.
   • Certifications. A station 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 station cook's salary.

   Average station cook salary

   $16.34hourly

   $33,980 yearly

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   Entry-level station cook salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a station cook job description

   A good station 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 station cook job description:

   Station cook job description example

   • Combined history (minimum 18 months) of professional hospitality/ kitchen experience AND culinary training
   • Ability to teach and develop others in a constructive and positive manner
   • Organized and systematic approach to work and the aptitude to prioritize efficiently and delegate responsibilities
   • Excellent communication, interpersonal, motivational skills to build teams and customer relationships
   • True passion for food o Food safety certification. If not currently certified, will commit to completing certification within 6 months.
   • Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends and holidays as required
   • Strong technology skills: Microsoft Office
   • Consistent and punctual

   
   WORKING CONDITIONS

   • Standing and walking for extended periods of time, up to 8-10 hours
   • Bending, stooping, twisting, squatting, reaching, climbing; may require use of ladders
   • Unassisted heavy lifting and/or assisted lifting to 50 pounds
   • Physical dexterity; repetitive hand and arm motion single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, pulling
   • Exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals
   • Exposure and work in varying temperatures: <32 degrees F (freezing), 32-40 degrees F (refrigerators), >90 degrees F
   • Ability to work in wet and dry conditions
   • Ability to use tools and equipment operational machinery
   • Iteration of duties.
   • Ability to travel for training purposes or other meetings as required

   At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit station 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.

   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 station cook

   Once you've selected the best station 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.

   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 station 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.)

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