Discover smarter strategies for keeping a fully stocked kitchen staff
Hiring the right cooking staff and other kitchen staff is crucial for the success of any hospitality or event company. The best cooks ensure that food is prepared to the highest standards which can boost your overall brand reputation. Want the recipe for success in your cook staffing efforts? Check out six ways you can succeed in recruiting when you’re looking for cooks to hire:
Reach out to culinary programs in your area
Local culinary programs can be a great resource for finding cooking staff and other kitchen staff who meet your specific needs. These programs often have job placement opportunities designed to help their students and graduates find prep cook jobs, line cook jobs or other cook jobs. When you connect with these organizations, you can gain convenient access to a pool of individuals with the right skills and experience for the job.
Culinary programs attract people who are not only knowledgeable about cooking but also passionate about their craft. These individuals are often eager to start their careers and the enthusiasm and fresh ideas they bring to your kitchen are invaluable to the ongoing growth and success of your hospitality team.
Have an active presence on hospitality industry websites and job boards
If you’re looking to hire cooks, turn to general job boards like Glassdoor and Indeed. These platforms attract interested job seekers and they allow you to post kitchen job listings that reach a broad audience. Certain job boards also cater specifically to the hospitality and event industries and attract candidates with relevant skills and experience.
Don’t forget to take advantage of advanced search features to filter candidates based on specific criteria such as experience level and location. Additional tools, such as applicant tracking systems, may make the hiring process easier as well.
Connect with potential kitchen staff on social media
Welcome to the digital age! Social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook can be essential recruitment tools for potential cooks. LinkedIn, in particular, is a professional networking site where you can search for candidates who meet your requirements while also advertising your kitchen job openings.
By joining industry-specific forums and groups, you can connect with potential candidates for your cook and kitchen jobs as well. You can also reach out directly to individuals who impress you with their profiles or posts.
Consider networking opportunities to gather referrals for your kitchen roles
If you’re looking into hiring cooks, don’t underestimate the power of networking. You can reach out to your network and ask for recommendations from people who understand hospitality and food service just as well as you do.
Word of mouth can be a powerful tool, as candidates who are recommended by someone you trust are likely to be skilled and reliable. Food service managers and other hospitality professionals often know hard-working and talented cooks who are looking for new kitchen jobs.
Networking can also be done through industry events and professional organizations in your area. In the end, building relationships within your local community can provide consistent access to potential hires who can get the job done right.
Create relationships with other event or hospitality companies in your area
Approaching trusted event and hospitality companies can be another effective strategy for finding cooks for your business. These establishments often know or work with kitchen staff like prep cooks and line cooks who may be looking for new opportunities to advance their careers or work in a different environment.
Building relationships with event or hospitality companies in your area can be mutually beneficial. Collaboration could even lead to joint training programs and other opportunities that benefit everyone involved.
Attend hospitality job fairs and industry events
Attending industry expos, job fairs and food festivals provides an opportunity to meet and interview potential candidates in person. From recent graduates to seasoned kitchen staff, these hospitality and food service events typically attract a wide range of people, many of whom are likely seeking new cook jobs.
Industry events and job fairs also give you the opportunity to see potential candidates face to face and learn more about them. You can observe how they interact with others, discuss their experience and skills, and get a good sense of how they would fit in with the rest of your cooking staff.
In addition to meeting candidates for your cook jobs, attending these events helps you stay informed about the latest trends and innovations in the hospitality industry. This knowledge can enhance your kitchen recruitment efforts and help you provide a great dining experience for all your guests.
Partner with a cook staffing agency or kitchen staffing agency
Staffing agencies that specialize in kitchen staffing, or those focused primarily on hospitality staffing or event staffing, may be just what you’re looking for if you need to hire cooks. A cook staffing agency will have access to a vast network of qualified candidates who have been vetted for their skills and experience. Whether you’re looking for temporary support during a busy season or a permanent addition to your kitchen staff, staffing agencies that hire hospitality workers can match you with the best candidates quickly.
When you’re looking for cooks to hire, using a cook staffing agency can also save you time and effort in the hiring process. The agency manages the initial screening and interviewing as well as all necessary administrative tasks, presenting you with only the most qualified candidates and getting your new hires onboarded with ease. This can be especially beneficial if you have an urgent need for kitchen staff or any other hospitality or event staff you might require.
Need a cook staffing agency? PeopleReady can help you find kitchen staff
With the right strategies in place, you can build a team of cooking staff and other kitchen staff who will contribute to the success and reputation of the food service you provide. When you need to hire cooks for your event or hospitality company, look no further than PeopleReady. We can support your kitchen staffing efforts by helping you find prep cooks, line cooks and other kitchen staff.
We deliver event and hospitality staffing solutions across a wide range of roles, including front of house staff and back of house staff. For example:
- Bussers and runners
- Dishwashers
- Catering servers
- Hosts and hostesses
- Bartenders
- Concession workers
- And more!
