Interview Questions to Ask When Hiring a Chef in Australia (2025 Guide)

Hiring the right chef can make or break your kitchen. While resumes and portfolios give you surface-level info, the real gold comes from asking the right questions. This guide shares the best chef interview questions in Australia for 2025 — tailored to reveal culinary skill, leadership, and cultural fit.

What to Look for Before the Interview

Before asking questions, review your candidate’s experience and compare it with the skills that align with your restaurant’s needs. Are they from high-volume or fine-dining? Vegan cuisine or classic pub-style? Knowing their background shapes your questions.

Core Interview Questions to Ask Chefs

1. “Describe your ideal kitchen environment.”

This tells you if they prefer order, chaos, solo work, or collaboration — and whether they’ll thrive in your space.

2. “How do you manage a kitchen under pressure?”

Look for structured thinking. Do they delegate, prioritize, or spiral? Good chefs have battle-tested systems.

3. “Tell me about a time you fixed a customer complaint.”

This shows accountability and their front-of-house awareness — key for open kitchens or chef-led service.

4. “What dishes or techniques are you currently experimenting with?”

You want someone who’s growing — not just cooking on autopilot. Passion fuels retention.

5. “How do you train junior staff or apprentices?”

If they’ll manage others, this tells you whether they build teams — or break them.

Red Flags to Watch For

❌ Blaming previous employers or team members
❌ Lack of clarity in how they handle stress
❌ Overconfidence without accountability

Bonus Questions for Visa-Eligible Chefs

If you’re considering chefs from overseas, ask:

✅ What visa do you currently hold?
✅ Have you worked in an Australian-style kitchen before?
✅ Are you open to relocation or sponsorship?

Where to Find Great Chefs to Interview

If you haven’t found the right candidate yet, check out the top platforms to source top chef talent — and post your job to reach verified kitchen professionals.

Make It Official

Once you’ve found your top candidate, move fast. The best chefs get multiple offers. Create an employer account to save your favorites and schedule a paid trial shift.