Tell us about a challenging situation you faced in the kitchen and how you resolved it.

Sample answer to the question

One challenging situation I faced in the kitchen was when we had a sudden influx of diners during a busy dinner service. The kitchen became overwhelmed with orders, and it was difficult to keep up with the demand. However, I remained calm and quickly assessed the situation. I immediately reorganized the prep stations to improve efficiency and delegated tasks to the kitchen staff. I also communicated with the front-of-house team to inform them about the delay and managed customer expectations. By working together and prioritizing orders, we were able to catch up and successfully serve all the customers without compromising on the quality of the food.

A more solid answer

A challenging situation I faced in the kitchen was when we had a sudden influx of diners during a busy dinner service. The kitchen became overwhelmed with orders, and it was difficult to keep up with the demand. To resolve this, I quickly stepped into a leadership role and assessed the situation. I calmly reorganized the prep stations, assigning specific tasks to each team member based on their strengths and expertise. This allowed us to work more efficiently and prioritize orders. I also communicated effectively with the front-of-house team, informing them about the delay and managing customer expectations. By implementing these strategies, we were able to catch up and successfully serve all the customers without compromising on the quality of the food.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides specific examples of the candidate's leadership skills, ability to remain calm, time management abilities, and communication skills. It demonstrates how the candidate stepped up as a leader, effectively managed the situation, and successfully resolved the challenge. However, it can be further improved by providing more details and examples.

An exceptional answer

A challenging situation I faced in the kitchen was during a busy dinner service when our main oven malfunctioned, just as we were about to start cooking the steaks for a large table of VIP guests. It was a high-pressure situation as the guests were expecting their steaks to be cooked to perfection. To resolve this, I immediately assessed the situation and made a quick decision to utilize the grill to cook the steaks instead. I calmly communicated the situation to the team and assigned specific tasks to each member, ensuring they understood the urgency and attention to detail required. I also requested assistance from the front-of-house team to inform the guests about the delay and offer alternative options to keep them satisfied. By improvising and working together seamlessly, we were able to deliver perfectly cooked steaks to the VIP table and receive compliments for our ability to handle unexpected challenges.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer provides a detailed and specific example of a challenging situation in the kitchen. It showcases the candidate's problem-solving skills and ability to think on their feet. The candidate not only resolved the issue but also ensured that the customers' experience was not compromised. They demonstrated strong leadership, effective communication, and the ability to take quick and decisive action. The answer highlights the candidate's ability to handle high-pressure situations and deliver exceptional results.

How to prepare for this question

Reflect on past experiences in the kitchen where you faced challenging situations. Consider both small-scale challenges and larger-scale crises.
Think about how you handled those situations, the strategies you implemented, and the outcomes.
Highlight your ability to remain calm and composed under pressure, as well as your problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Demonstrate your leadership abilities by describing how you took charge and effectively managed the situation.
Emphasize your communication skills and how you effectively communicated with the team and other stakeholders during the challenging situation.

What interviewers are evaluating

Leadership Skills
Ability to Remain Calm
Time Management Abilities
Communication Skills