What does a grill cook do?
Grill cooks are in charge of the preparation and grilling of all grilled food items on a restaurant’s menu. They work in food service settings, including casual and upscale restaurants, fast food establishments, food trucks and food courts at shopping malls and event venues.
Grill cooks are assigned to kitchen grilling stations, where they work in conjunction with head chefs, line cooks and waitstaff to effectively coordinate the overall preparation and serving of completed dishes. They sometimes work independently in restaurant kitchens, which makes them responsible for all areas of food preparation and final presentation.
Grill cook skills and qualifications
Grill cooks often work in fast-paced environments where efficiency is key. A successful grill cook should possess the following skills and qualifications:
- Willingness to work as a team player when preparing dishes and coordinating meal service
- Organizational skills to maintain an orderly workspace and kitchen
- Understanding of portions when cutting and slicing meat, poultry and seafood
- Knowledge of safe food handling requirements and food safety temperatures
- Physical stamina and the ability to stand for extended periods of time when cooking and preparing food
- Willingness to work required shifts, i.e., night shift, breakfast rush and so on
- Comprehension skills when reading order tickets and recipes
- Hand-eye coordination when using kitchen tools and cooking utensils
Grill cook experience requirements
Some employers who provide on-the-job training don’t require grill cook applicants to have extensive cooking experience. However, a basic knowledge of food preparation and an understanding of the inner workings of a restaurant kitchen are usually required. Alternatively, certain establishments, such as fine dining and specialty restaurants, may prefer applicants who have one to two years of experience as grill cooks in the food service industry.
Additional requirements for grill cook applicants may include apprenticeship experience with professional cooks or chefs, assistant cook or line cook experience and general food service experience. Specific experience requirements can vary, depending on the needs of the restaurant. In some cases, potential hires may be asked to prepare select menu items as part of the interview process to demonstrate their skills and experience.
Grill cook education and training requirements
The minimum education requirement for a grill cook is a high school diploma or equivalent to ensure they have the basic comprehension skills needed for the position. Certain employers may require that all grill cook applicants hold certifications in food handling, while others may prefer applicants with certificates of completion from culinary schools.
Experience requirements for grill cook careers can include on-the-job training, apprenticeships and hands-on kitchen experience. Upon hiring, training requirements can vary depending on the establishment, but generally include kitchen and food preparation training to help new employees learn to prepare specific recipes.
Grill cook salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a grill cook is $33,650 per year. Specific salaries for grill cook careers can vary depending on factors, such as overall experience, geographical location and employer salary preferences.
Grill cook salary expectations
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Common salary:
16.85 HOURLY -
Typical salaries range from
8.00 -28.90 HOURLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
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Grill cook job description FAQs
Is a grill cook the same as a line cook?
Line cooks and grill cooks are similar in that both are assigned to specific stations in restaurant settings. Grill cooks are always assigned to grill stations, while line cooks may be in charge of salad stations, ingredient prep stations or plating stations. In some restaurants, line cooks are assigned to grilling stations, which essentially makes them grill cooks. However, a line cook’s stations can vary, while a grill cook’s station remains the same.
What makes a good grill cook?
Factors that make a good grill cook include overall cooking experience, a good team-player attitude, a willingness to follow instructions and a good work ethic. A good grill cook should also understand that meeting the preferences and needs of customers is essential in the food service industry.
What should you look for in a grill cook resume?
A few things to look for when reviewing grill cook resumes are experience and the length of previous employment. While your establishment may offer on-the-job training, past experience is always helpful, especially if they have specific experience preparing the foods your restaurant serves. Employment length can help you determine whether potential applicants are interested in short- or long-term work.
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