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Free template · Retail & Hospitality

Line Cook job description template

A line cook prepares and cooks dishes at an assigned station, such as grill, sauté, or fry, during restaurant service. They prep ingredients, follow recipes and plating standards, and keep their station clean and food-safe. Copy this template, replace the bracketed parts, then run it through the free JD Analyzer.

Check it for bias

Line Cook

About the role

[Company Name] is looking for a skilled Line Cook to join our kitchen team. You will prep ingredients, run your station during service, and cook dishes to our recipes and plating standards while keeping your area clean and food-safe. If you take pride in consistent food and work well with a crew, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities

  • Prepare ingredients and complete daily prep lists
  • Set up and stock your station before service
  • Cook and plate dishes to recipe and presentation standards
  • Coordinate ticket timing with the expo and other stations
  • Follow food safety, temperature, and allergen procedures
  • Label, date, and rotate product using FIFO
  • Keep your station and the kitchen clean and sanitized
  • Help receive and store deliveries
  • Complete closing duties and breakdown

Requirements

  • Experience cooking on a line in a restaurant or high-volume kitchen
  • Knowledge of safe food handling and cooking temperatures
  • Ability to work quickly and consistently during busy service
  • Ability to follow recipes and take direction from the chef
  • Ability to work scheduled shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays
  • Ability to perform essential kitchen tasks such as lifting stock and working near hot equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation
  • Food handler certification or willingness to obtain it as required by your state

Nice to have

  • Experience on multiple stations such as grill, sauté, and fry
  • ServSafe or similar food safety certification
  • Culinary training or apprenticeship
  • Experience with scratch cooking and butchery

Pay

[Pay range] · [Benefits summary]

Pay transparency

Many states, including CA, CO, NY, WA, and IL, require a good-faith pay range in job postings, so check your state's rules and list the hourly range.

See the rules for your state in HR laws by state.

Write a more inclusive posting

  • Avoid 'kitchen bro' or 'tough guy' culture language; describe a respectful, team-oriented kitchen
  • State lifting weights realistically, like moving 40 lb stock deliveries, only if essential, and mention accommodations
  • Do not require culinary school; list hands-on cooking skills and experience instead

Hiring a line cook?

Prepare the interview too: 15 questions, red flags and questions to avoid.

Line Cook interview questions

Frequently asked questions

Should I do a working interview for line cooks?

A short working interview or stage is one of the best ways to assess speed, cleanliness, and knife skills. Pay candidates for their time and check your state's rules on paid trial shifts.

What food safety questions should I ask a line cook?

Ask about safe internal cooking temperatures, cross-contamination prevention, allergen handling, and FIFO. Strong candidates answer specifically and mention using thermometers and labeling.

Does a line cook need a culinary degree?

No, most line cooks learn on the job. Listing culinary school as a requirement narrows your pool without improving quality, so focus on demonstrated skills.

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