Whether you manage a large restaurant or a small tavern, the assistant cook (or commis) is a key figure to ensure that the workflow in your kitchen goes smoothly. In fact, every chef needs a right hand to take care of preparing ingredients, cleaning utensils, preparing the simplest dishes or keeping the worktop and pantry tidy.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A COOK OR A CHEF?
In this article we will help you understand what characteristics the assistant cook must have and give you 5 tips to find the right person to entrust this role to.
The assistant cook: 5 tips for finding the right person
Depending on the size of your restaurant’s kitchen, the assistant cook or commis can take care of a task list of varying length.
These are the main ones:
- Follow the instructions of the chef.
- Prepare the ingredients.
- Clean the vegetables.
- Clean the utensils.
- Keep worktops, pantry and cold storage tidy.
- Cook simple dishes.
- Replace the chef in an emergency.
Even if you don’t need a person to take care of all these tasks, finding a person who knows how to perform the duties of an assistant cook with efficiency and diligence can really give a quality boost to the service of your restaurant.
Finding the right person isn’t always easy though.
Here are five points to look out for in order to find the right person to add to your kitchen:
- The right qualification.
Most people looking for a job as an assistant cook come from hospitality schools or have attended a specialized course dedicated to this role. Choosing a person who has undergone training as an assistant cook will guarantee you a minimum of basic preparation, even in the absence of a great work experience. At least you can count on someone who has already tasted life behind the scenes of a restaurant!
- Work experience in catering.
Evaluate past work experiences in the world of catering: whether it’s in restaurants, small kitchens, bars or cafes, the important thing is that the person you want to hire knows how to move around the kitchen. Ask for a resume that also highlights the contacts of the structures where the person worked: in this case it will be easier for you to ask for references, if you want.
- Knowledge of hygiene rules for food storage and handling.
Like all people who work in catering, even the assistant cook has the obligation to know the hygiene and health rules for handling food. Then check that the person you choose has the necessary HACCP certificate on food safety management.
- Mastery of kitchen utensils.
If the qualifications are important, the dexterity is too. Make sure that the person you choose as an assistant cook has a minimum command of kitchen utensils, i.e. that she knows how to use them and keep them tidy. If the first interview takes place on the phone or online, ask targeted questions that allow you to immediately understand if the person knows the fundamentals of maintaining and using equipment and tools.
- Positive attitude to work.
Finally, among the points you should evaluate before hiring a person as an assistant cook, there is one of the most important soft skills : positive attitude. Work in the kitchen often involves working under pressure and at a rapid pace. It is in your interest and that of the rest of the team to choose a person with a positive attitude and capable of working in a team.
In conclusion
To choose the person who will become an assistant cook in your restaurant, you will need to investigate aspects that have to do with qualifications, past experience, manual skills but also personal attitude.
In this article, we’ve recommended five points to keep in mind when researching. Keeping them in mind will help you find the right person to join your team and kitchen.
Have a nice job!
