Be prepared to give an honest answer. Perhaps you even have ambitions to start your own farm – producing carbon neutral beef for your restaurant! Why would you want to be a chef? While you don't want to copy another chef exactly, taking a few pages from the playbook of a chef you admire can help you to progress towards your culinary goals. There are many ways of staying on top of trends in food. Think about the reasons that are driving you to pursue an education in the culinary arts. Finally, this question shows the interviewer that you truly are interested in your chosen career path and have taken the time to learn about the key players in the industry. For example, ordering food so that there is always enough fresh supply, while choosing it so that the dishes are varied and interesting. Think about what it was that made you become a chef. The interviewer will be looking to see your passion. Remember to stay positive and focus on sounding motivated for the opportunities a new role will bring you. Chapter 14: What do you do in your free time? Think about the reasons that are driving you to pursue an education in the culinary arts. A lot of scholarships will ask you why you deserve the award, and that requires some introspection. As well as the job satisfaction, being a chef offers great career progression from Commis Chef to Demi Chef then Chef de Partie, Sous chef, Chef de Cuisine and finally Executive Chef. It can be a key source of information when it comes to designing new menu items. Being able to understand the report is useful for seeing which menu items customers have repeatedly ordered, and the GP on these dishes. If you did need to speak with a fellow staff member after the incident, make sure you mention doing so professionally, and in a constructive way. Going in hand with that is a certain lean towards creativity and wanting to express one’s self through the food – the recipes, the dishes, the menus, the concepts. Do you want to produce Michelin star food? Your answer helps the recruiter or hiring manager gauge your interest, and gives you a chance to prove you’re well-informed about the company and role. Because I have fought with death and know the precious of life. Run your own business? This question is designed to get a feel for your career goals and who you are as a person. 1.1 Why Becoming a Chef is an Excellent Career Choice; 1.2 Reality Check : Do you Really Fit in this Industry; 1.3 How creative are you; 1.4 How prepared are you for the chef courses; 1.5 Motivation and desire to get the chef degree; 1.6 Things to consider when becoming a chef… For example, ordering food so that there is always enough fresh supply, while choosing it so that the dishes are varied and interesting. Also, consider the front of house team. Answered by professional interviewers and hiring managers. Depending on the culinary school you choose, you may have the opportunity to specialize in a particular area, so now is the perfect time to think about which area that might be. Question 32. A question like this will tell your interviewer a lot about you. Explain Your Typical Day As A Chef? How to Answer: Why did you choose to become a pastry chef? Read the compa… A kitchen manager may need to help cover problems faced by front of house, requiring adaptability and a unified outlook. Maybe it is the unique seasonings and spices from a particular region that attract you or unusual cooking techniques. If there are any discrepancies within the delivery, the order may require an invoice adjustment or credit note. Run your own business? Make sure long hair is tied back, keep jewellery to a minimum and make sure your hands and nails are clean, with no nail polish. Here are just ten of the many fantastic reasons to become a chef. It requires critical thinking about what you bring to the table as a person and as a student. Answer: Often a busy kitchen will have chefs working in it from all over the world, meaning there may be language barriers and different schools of thought. Think about which ones are most inspiring to you, whether because of their style of cuisine, preferred ingredients or overall business sense. All of these are desirable traits for any chef at any stage in their career. Sarah is one of our newest additions to the Hub. Similarly, if you are going for a job in a Michelin star establishment, have an opinion on worldwide renowned chefs. Answer: A question about receiving deliveries may seem simple at first, but it will actually reveal a lot about your capabilities. You may be asked about your ability to cope under pressure, your decision-making ability and your creativity. Our Sales and Development Manager, Jamie Hogg, who has an extensive background in hospitality. Your prospective employer will be looking to see you build teams based on trust, mutual respect and co-operation. On that note, here is a list of terrible reasons to become a doctor: To make money: You will, but there are way easier and more profitable ways. Employers want to know what you're like as a person and if you will mix well with their other employees. Favorite Answer. 9 Answers. You also have the option of … Careers Companies Topics Blog About Us Contact Sign in Get Started Interview Coach 1:1 Gain the confidence you need by asking our professionals any interview scenario, question, or answer you are unsure about. One of the best ways to acquire the skills you'll need to be successful is to attend culinary school. Read the About Us page and spend some time in the Press Room, where you’ll usually find the latest press releases and media mentions. Being asked about your computing skills is as important as being asked about your cooking skills. Why is that so? I'm getting ready to apply to culinary school. Having genuine passion for your career inspires confidence in your desire to do well – a must for any chef. If a customer was to become sick because of consistently bad food safety procedures, it could lead to business closure. Consider the following as sous chef interview questions and beyond, gearing towards kitchen supervisor and head chef interview questions. Every chef needs to have a signature dish. Think about your personal taste and preferences, as well as why you prefer some cuisine styles to others. The delivery needs to be put away correctly and you could mention stock rotation here. Do you like how it's an independent hotel and has it's own personal charm? It will also show you are committed to staying current in a fast-paced industry. What seems like a straightforward answer could actually be quite detailed, so don’t be afraid to show off your knowledge. 2. Start with the company web site. Don’t focus on any negative reasons why you want to leave your current job. Your food hygiene training should be refreshed at least every 3 years. Explained. The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. Answer: The interviewer is on the lookout for any red flags here. What do you like most about being a chef? In practicing your responses to the questions above, you'll get a better sense of who you hope to be as a chef and of the talking points you wish to convey to the person interviewing you. Inspiration can come from just about anywhere, so think about what inspires you. 0. While it is virtually impossible to predict exactly what your interviewer will ask you, it is still important to be as prepared as possible. A good answer will show how you prioritise replacing the dish immediately, whilst staying cool and calm. Whatever it is that drives you, allow your love of food to shine through. Whatever it is that drives you, allow your love of food to shine through. This question seeks to understand how you cope under pressure, and how you work to put the customers’ needs first. The interviewer wants to see your willingness to work for the benefit of the business, and that you can be creative in your solutions. I like watching their faces as they eat what I’ve made. Gainful Employment Information – Culinary Arts - Associate’s. For example, if you are applying for a chef job in a school, Jamie Oliver and his opinions on school dinners might come up. Every reputable business will take food safety very seriously. Before showing you how to answer: “why should we hire you?”, let’s explore some possible pitfalls and things to avoid when describing why you should be hired for a position. The question inspired me to find out why other people became chefs, what other chefs want to transform their career into (open a restaurant, catering business, etc. This helps the school to decide if you are serious or not. Be aware of key players that are relevant to what you want to do. Answer: With this question, it would be helpful to give examples of times you have worked with allergenic and dietary requirements. Feel free to tweak and modify your answers to fit the specific questions asked. Remember to draw on your experience and ideas to make your answers your own. Don’t just respond with a generic answer like, “I’m smart, qualified and I want this job.” Of course, you do, or you wouldn’t be sitting in … The interviewer will want to see that you have excellent knowledge on allergens, and that you can confidently identify ingredients in a dish when a customer has a dietary or allergenic request. How did you do this? Back to Interview Questions for Hospitality Staff. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. Perhaps you have had a request come to the kitchen to make a dish with no nuts, were you able to guarantee the safety of the dish? It is therefore likely you will be asked a question around the future of food. If you answered yes to many of these questions, you're on the right path when considering a career as a chef. If you want to get there by earning an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts, ECPI University’s Culinary Institute of Virginia offers this degree program at an accelerated course of study. Use the links above to jump to each section of the guide. Devin C. 1 decade ago. This job allows me to travel freely without any cost. Customers expect their food within a reasonable amount of time, the plates must look relatively neat (even " messy " plating is styled and follows some rules), and you have to be ready to substitute ingredients due to allergies without a lot of warning. This question also determines who inspires you and why, it could be Michel Roux Jr., it could be your mum – likely for very different reasons! As a senior member of the team, this is your responsibility too, and your interviewer will be keen to see you taking this on. I Was so Close to Death and Want to Help Others . Answered by professional interviewers and hiring managers. If you’re anything like me, finding the answer for why do you deserve something, whether it’s a job, scholarship, or anything else, is one of the hardest things to do. Do you understand the importance of avoiding contamination, and communicating allergen or dietary information with serving staff and customers? Answer : Even if you haven't yet worked in a large establishment yourself, you know the chef's routine. The reasons why I wanted to work as a flight attendant::: * I love to travel and explore all corners of the world, but I couldn't afford to do so on my own. Answer: An experienced chef will work their menus to a target GP% (gross profit percentage). There is a big trend around sustainability of menus at the moment so having knowledge of where food comes from is appealing. Explain how you use good kitchen practice to make sure the food you produce is safe, such as sanitising equipment. Even though the restaurant industry tends to be more casual than others, you should still dress up a bit for your interview. Answer: Here, the interviewer is looking to see you are aware of food safety. Having genuine passion for … Talk about your skills and abilities as a waiter (cook), and the value you can bring to the team in their restaurant. Answer Save. MockQuestions. If you see something that could harm customers or the business, you should take steps to rectify this. Answer: This question is looking to see if you can think outside the box and come up with helpful business solutions. Try and have some examples of your previous experiences ready to showcase your strengths. Following inspiring chefs on social media is a good way to get started, or you could aim to visit new eateries that interest you. That’s the way I learned. Comment; Complaint; Link; Know the Answer? There are no right or wrong answers to this question, so be honest about what gets you excited about food. Why do you want to commit to a life in front of the range? For more information about ECPI University or any of our programs click here: http://www.ecpi.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Ca1ya. A good company web site covers everything from firm history to the mission statement to product lines to the latest awards and accomplishments. Here are a few of the most common interview questions and how to formulate your responses. Whatever dish you choose, put your own unique spin on it. Answer: This is another question where the interviewer is looking for passion, as well as testing your knowledge on the industry. When they ask you about the reason why you apply for the job, you should show them that you care also for their business, and not only for your life. Think about what it was that made you become a chef. As a more senior chef, you will likely face questions designed to discover more about you as a manager of a team, and of a business. These are excellent traits to demonstrate in your interview. Right answer: Instead, if you are really inspired by your parents, explain exactly how they affect you and what is the most touching experience you have that make you determined to be a doctor. I want to become a chef because of the respect that was shown, and the mysterious image of the person cooking your food while you were in a restaurant. Answer: If you are successful in your job application, it may fall to you to build a team of your own. First impressions do count so it’s a good idea to demonstrate your knowledge of food safety through your appearance. This question is designed to get a feel for your career goals and who you are as a person. You want to focus your answer on the YOU part of why YOU want to be a doctor and why YOU would be an excellent doctor. There should also be a delivery note accompanying the products – each item needs checking off to ensure it has been delivered. Why Do You Want to Be a Chef? What to look for in an answer: A passion for food and cooking A personal motivator to become a chef What does a 21 year old chef do when he's decided he doesn't want to do it anymore? Level 3 Supervising Food Safety in Catering Training, Effective Restaurant Management Tips: How to Improve Your Food Business, Top 8 Skills for a Successful Career in Hospitality. Maybe you wish to study to become a chef in order to take over a family business, or perhaps you just have a passion for food and hope to take your knowledge to the next level. Careers Companies Topics Blog About Us Contact Sign in Get Started Interview Coach 1:1 Gain the confidence you need by asking our professionals any interview scenario, question, or answer you are unsure about. You just can’t seem like you’re miserable or have no interest whatsoever. Be wary of blaming others for making mistakes as it isn’t helpful to point fingers during service and will make you look unprofessional. But you DO NOT need to seem like you’re obsessed with it. Don't be surprised if you get questions about your hobbies and what you do outside of work. Think about your heritage and background to come up with ideas, but don't forget to incorporate your present situation as well. Maybe you wish to study to become a chef in order to take over a family business, or perhaps you just have a passion for food and hope to take your knowledge to the next level. Be prepared to give an honest answer. Most of all, Good Luck! Answers (2) Hynlee June 5, 4:49 PM. If you are applying to culinary school, you may be asked why you want to become a chef. Question: “Why do you want to become a teacher?” This straight forward question is a good example. I've been working in kitchen's since I was 16. Copyright © 2020East Coast Polytechnic Institute™All Rights Reserved, Cyber and Information Security Technology, Systems Engineering Master's - Mechatronics, Electronic Systems Engineering Technology, 2.5 Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Operations, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management, Management Master's - Homeland Security Management, Management Master's - Human Resources Management, Management Master's - Organizational Leadership, you may be thinking about a career as a chef, tweak and modify your answers to fit the specific questions asked, earning an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today, What Our Students Say About the Faculty at ECPI University. So you DO need to seem like this is a career that you care about it and want to be in. With more than 15 years of experience as a General Manager of several bars, restaurants, hotels and pubs, Jamie has recruited many chefs and enjoys seeing how they develop with the role. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make! Answer: As chefs, most of us will have had a dish returned at some point. In the application their is an essay portion that asks the question "What made you want to become a chef?" Before we begin, here is an answer you should never use: “I want to be a cabin crew because I love to travel and learn about new cultures. Basically, your signature dish should represent who you are as a person and as a chef. One of the reasons why a lot of us get into this industry, is because we love to make things. Whatever you look for in a chef it will inform your employer on your personality and demonstrate your commitment to the role. Make sure that your outfit is business appropriate and well put together. When you go into your job interview, you can expect to answer the question, “Why do you want this job?” It may seem like an easy question, but even a common interview question can trip you up if you’re not ready, so you’ll want to prepare your answer ahead of time. It requires knowledge of … DISCLAIMER – ECPI University makes no claim, warranty, or guarantee as to actual employability or earning potential to current, past or future students or graduates of any educational program we offer. Answer: The hospitality industry moves so quickly and staying on top of trends is a key topic for business owners. Answer: This question is often asked to establish your passion for your job and what ambitions you have. We all take inspiration from different places so there is no right or wrong answer here. Is There a Difference Between Food Hygiene & Food Safety? The answer to this question ultimately depends on your own personal goals. Senior chefs will also be asked about P&L reports, average GP% and management style. However, the best jobs out there will draw a lot of applicants, so you need to stand out from the crowd. However, one thing about a chef is that the job is solely becoming a chef and nothing more. Think about which topics you are most interested in and why. Answer: The higher up the chef hierarchy you go, the more paperwork you can get! Is it because they're a world renowned hotel chain? For more information on this exciting degree program, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today. Maybe there is a particular chef that you would like to work under and learn from, or the restaurant serves a particular kind of cuisine that you want to immerse yourself in. Or perhaps you prefer to hire chefs who have learnt in certain schools? Be sure to highlight your key skills and your transferable skills. It is a Fantastic Career. For a Personal Assistant job interview. Well, a candidate is most often prepared to answer tough questions but when he/she is asked a basic question, rather a ‘Statement of Purpose’ question; his/her ignorance regarding the job is revealed. One way is to attend cooking schools. Or perhaps you want to write cook books? Some people love Mexican cuisine but hate Chinese food, and vice versa. Explaining your reasonings behind your target will give you a chance to highlight your knowledge of costing menu items. For many culinary schools, you'll have to go through an interview as part of the application process. Why do you want to be a doctor? I enjoy how food makes people happy. Learn about our people, get the latest news, and much more. Becoming a chef takes years of hard work, but that's why it's so rewarding. After many years in the industry, Sarah is an expert on all things hospitality and customer service and we can't wait to share her knowledge. If you love food and enjoy cooking, you may be thinking about a career as a chef. The food should be within a good best before or use by date. Your chef whites should only be worn in the kitchen to ensure you don’t become a source of cross-contamination, so you do not need to wear chef whites for an initial interview. Answer: The Profit & Loss report is essentially the bookkeeping of the business. Perhaps you simply want to challenge yourself in a busier and more demanding environment. Before you go to the interview, make sure you have an answer prepared for this question, it's a very common question. Times are changing and people are taking various courses because the job market has diversified and one has to spread the risk to avoid any disappointments in searching for a job. If you love food and cooking why not make a career out of it by becoming a professional chef. Question: Why do you want to be a chef? Becoming a chef may be the right choice for you if you find yourself drawn to the combination of speed and creativity that are required in kitchens. Would you like us to help you ace your med school interview? 1. Are you excited about a career as a chef? For a Pastry Chef job interview. This is the sweetest profession that I would like to find myself engaging in for the rest of my life. Neutral beef for your career inspires confidence in your free time Death and know the chef routine! The order may require an invoice adjustment or credit note what it was that made you a. Harm customers or the business, you may be asked about your cooking.. Will want to be my personal Assistant the skills you 'll need to help cover problems by! Of it by becoming a chef it will inform your employer on your personality and demonstrate commitment. Many ways of staying on top of trends in why do you want to be a chef answer are most inspiring to,... 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