Itâs a simple fact: without line cooks, many culinary kitchens couldnât function. They are a key part of the âkitchen brigade,â a system where each member of the kitchen staff has a designated role in creating meals. And with kitchen staff in high demand today, there are tons of well-paying line cook shifts on Instawork right now. But what does a line cook do, exactly?
Whether youâre hoping to become a line cook or are just curious about the field, read on to learn all about line cook responsibilities, job requirements, certifications, and more.
What education & experience does a line cook need?
If youâve been asking âwhat does a line cook do,â you might also want to know how to become one. The good news for anyone interested in becoming a line cook is that itâs pretty straightforward. When it comes to educational requirements, some places might want you to have a high school diploma or GED, but others may be more flexible.
For anyone whoâs determined to become a sous chef, head chef, or executive chef at a high-end or elite kitchen one day, a degree from culinary school can help. There are culinary schools around the country where you can gain the knowledge and experience needed to thrive in a kitchen, like the Culinary Institute of America, Johnson & Wales University, and the Institute of Culinary Education, to name a few. Most of these schools offer two- to four-year programs, and, because of the high costs involved, are usually for those who want to dedicate their lives to becoming a top chef. If youâre interested in formal instruction but canât afford sky-high culinary school tuition, many community colleges offer culinary training programs or courses at a much lower price.
While formal education is one way to gain experience, itâs not a must. Youâll find that many â probably even most â line cooks havenât gone to culinary school. Plenty of line cooks work their way up through the ranks in the kitchen, and have previously been prep cooks or station assistants. Even famous chefs like Gordon Ramsey have started out as dishwashers and climbed their way up the ladder over time.
Keep in mind that there are different levels for line cooks (often three, but it varies) based on previous experience. If you have little experience as a line cook and are still learning the ropes, youâll usually start out at a lower level. Those with some past experience who have a good handle on one or two stations might be given a mid-level job title. Those with more experience who have mastered multiple stations will be at the highest level. These line cooks are valuable players, and often lead the line during service, so they earn the most money.
What is a line cook?
If youâve ever been in a professional kitchen before, you might have noticed that all of the cooking equipment is set up in a line under a set of whirring hood vents. This is the âline,â and each piece of cooking equipment â fryer, grill, flattop, stove, etc. â is manned by a different cook. A line cook can also be called a line chef, station chef, or chef de partie.
No matter the kitchen, the core job of a line cook is the same: help prepare food for customers as part of a team, with each person given a specific task. Usually, thereâs one line cook assigned to a single station, like the sauté station, or a piece of cooking equipment on a line, such as a deep fryer â and theyâre responsible for all the food coming off that station.
A line cookâs role can vary a little bit from place to place. The knowledge and technique required from line cooks at a college dining hall, for example, will probably be much more simple than it would at a five-star hotel. This doesnât mean that the skills arenât transferable at all, but you should know that employers will keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to hire you.
6 Tips to be a successful line cook
FAQ
Is being a line cook hard work?
Is line cook the hardest job?
Can you make a living as a line cook?
Do You Enjoy Being a line cook?
If you feel rewarded by physical labor, like if you feel satisfied with yourself after clearing the dish pit, you can enjoy kitchen work. I enjoyed being a line cook, but now that I’m a manager at the same place, I don’t really enjoy my job as much anymore. I’m just setting the stage for the other cooks. I’ve always enjoyed my job.
What can a line cook do?
Every line cook can aspire to a larger role: sous chef, executive chef, food and beverage director, owner, restaurant manager, etc. All that is required is a commitment to grow. The challenge is that those positions do not simply come your way because you are close at hand.
What does it take to be a line cook?
All that is required is a commitment to grow. The challenge is that those positions do not simply come your way because you are close at hand. Line cooks with a vision need to invest the time and seek out opportunities to learn and grow.
How much does a line cook make?
On average, though, a line cook can expect to make between $28,650 to $35,638 based on education and experience. The median line cook salary in the U.S. is $31,686 which is roughly $15.85 per hour. If you are a cook or other back of house role and are looking to pick up shifts on your own schedule, sign up for Qwick.