A chef is obviously necessary for any restaurant operation, so the next issue is how to find and hire one. To assist you in your search for a chef, we’ve prepared a list of ideas. You can employ a chef for a restaurant using any of the following strategies:
Use Job Boards
Posting a job posting on a career website like Indeed or LinkedIn is one of the greatest ways to hire a chef for your restaurant. You can also search for websites specific to the restaurant or hotel industries, where aspiring chefs can be looking for their next professional move. For instance, career websites are tailored particularly for positions in the hospitality industry.
Employ A Recruitment Company
Using a hiring or recruiting firm is another option for finding a chef. To save you the time, trouble, and effort of having to identify the ideal candidate yourself, these are professional organisations that can find you a new chef. The best thing about working with a recruitment firm is that many won’t charge you anything until you hire the applicant they recommend. So, until you’re ready to make the move, they can silently search for a new chef in the background.
Employ Internal Personnel
What could be better than hiring a chef you already know and rely on? Does anyone on your staff have extensive experience working as a sous chef? If you give them the chance, they might be prepared to go up the career ladder now! Additionally, your employee will feel pleased about their professional development and you’ll have peace of mind knowing they can do the task without difficulty.
Connect With People You Know
Be sure to inquire about any people in your own network who may know who are considering changing careers. If you ask around, your suppliers might know someone, or even your present workers might have an idea. Even better, if someone recommends you the ideal person, you may offer a reward. You’ll quickly discover that word-of-mouth advertising is a highly effective strategy for sharing job openings.
Chef Skills To Look for When Hiring
Experience: Employing a chef involves also employing a cook. Typically, five years of kitchen experience are needed to become a chef. However, depending on work experience, exceptions are occasionally made. A chef typically picks up experience by working in junior positions or as a cook. An added benefit is having an understanding of cooking styles and baking and pastry methods.
Eagerness To Learn: It takes a lot of experimentation and training to become a chef. You should practice mastering various cooking techniques, selecting tastes carefully, and creating a range of foods. It takes a considerable amount of time and effort to complete all of these tasks. Therefore, when employing chefs, it is crucial to search for someone who is willing to learn.
Ability To Multitask: A chef is frequently in charge of a number of jobs, including chopping, making sauces, cooking starters, entrées, and desserts. They must also pitch in to assist other cooks at their stations during busy holidays. They may be required to stir a soup while grilling food, for instance. Chefs may also assist with cleaning.
Eye For Detail: Since cooking is regarded as a science, a chef must be precise and measure each ingredient. Knowing when to use the ingredients in what order and how long to cook each thing are both necessary for this. The portioning, measuring, cooking, and presentation of food all benefit from having a keen eye for detail.
Leadership Skills: A chef must efficiently manage a team and provide guidance as necessary. A chef should be able to keep a positive outlook while working in the kitchen to guarantee that food preparation goes well. They must be able to intervene and guide less experienced kitchen employees when things don’t go according to plan.
Creativity: A chef’s responsibilities include creating menus, plating meals, and making sure that the cuisine is delicious for the diners. Extreme creativity is needed for each of these exercises. Some cooks also help with the furnishings, tablecloths, and plate settings.
Computer Skills: Chefs’ lives are made easier by restaurant POS systems and inventory management software, but only if they know how to use them! Additionally, chefs now communicate with customers via tableside tablets, mobile apps, and even online ordering. To remain competitive, chefs must stay up to date on all restaurant technology and shifting customer trends.
Genuine Passion: Although a profession as a chef is incredibly hard, famous chefs often become well known for their enthusiasm for food. When customers are unwinding on holidays like Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or New Year’s, chefs frequently work. Therefore, it’s crucial that chefs genuinely delight in using their creativity to delight diners.
To learn more about what it takes to recruit the best chefs, get in touch with the team at chefshare Recruitment today.
Find our chef recruitment services in the following locations Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Coventry, Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Oxford, Peterborough, Plymouth, Southampton, Sheffield, Wolverhampton, Torquay, Winchester, Buckfastleigh, Salisbury, Minehead and Kingsbridge.