Hire Grill Cooks
Who doesn’t love a perfectly cooked steak or a delectably seared salmon? In any restaurant, grill cooks are experts with the grill. They have ample experience with different styles of food and levels of heat and are able to cook food perfectly every time.
The recruitment process for a grill cook begins with identifying the needs of the restaurant then drafting an enticing and compelling job description. Create a job description that is clear, concise, and detailed. Are you looking for candidates who live near the restaurant? Is this a full-time or part-time position? Is prior restaurant experience required? Outline the responsibilities and requirements clearly. To make it fun and exciting, do not forget to include details about your restaurant! How long has the restaurant been around? Does it specialize in a particular cuisine? These details will help candidates picture themselves working in your restaurant.
A grill cook is also alternatively referred to as grillardin. It is best to include this term in the job description to widen the selection pool and optimize search results of online hiring platforms.
Aside from general job boards, it is best for hiring managers to post job announcements on industry-specific job boards, online groups, and community groups as well. Getting referrals from restaurant employees themselves is an easy and efficient way to source candidates. Your staff may already know someone with experience as a grill cook so let them know about the job opening!
Grill Cook Responsibilities
Grill cooks are considered experts in preparing and cooking various types of food on the grill. Meat is the typical specialty of grill cooks. However, they may also cook vegetables, depending on the type of restaurant and its menu. Grill cooks are masters in multi-tasking and organization. They ensure that each piece of meat is cooked according to the customer’s request and at a safe temperature for consumption. Based on the ordered dish, a grill cook appealingly plates the food, slices the meat, or skewers it.
Also, a grill cook monitors the ingredients that he will need and replenishes and prepares them throughout the shift. The grill cook is in charge of maintaining the cleanliness of the grill station, tools, and equipment that includes scrubbing the remaining meat off the grill and cleaning the area. The grill cook also discards any food items that are considered contaminated. An experienced grill cook trains other junior grill cooks on kitchen equipment, grill, and preparation of materials.
When feeling sick, a grill cook must not handle any food and only report to work once all symptoms have cleared. Lastly, a grill cook maintains good personal hygiene, regularly washes their hands, and follows safety precautions at all times.
Grill Cook Skills and Qualifications
A successful candidate for a grill cook must be someone who is knowledgeable about food health and safety regulations and works well with a team. Strong communication and time management skills are a must, as well as the ability to follow proper food handling procedures in a fast-paced restaurant setting.
There is typically no educational requirement, though some restaurants may require a high school diploma or GED as a minimum standard. Some restaurants, however, may also prefer candidates to have a Food Handler’s license. Grill cooks undergo training at the restaurant in order to be familiar with the grill and other kitchen equipment.
Prior experience gained in a restaurant setting is a plus. The candidate should be able to meet the physical aspect of the job, being able to stand for long periods of time and lift 35 pounds with ease. Lastly, the ideal candidate should be available to work in shifts, on weekends, and on holidays.
Through patience and dedication, grill cooks thrive in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment. Hiring the right candidate for a restaurant will help bring the overall quality of the restaurant’s food to the next level.
