Sample interview questions: Can you describe a challenging situation you faced in the kitchen and how you resolved it?
Sample answer:
A challenging situation I faced in the kitchen was during a busy dinner service when one of our ovens suddenly stopped working. This posed a significant problem as we had several dishes that required baking or roasting, and we couldn’t afford to delay orders or compromise the quality of our food.
To resolve the situation, I immediately informed my team about the issue and assigned a dedicated staff member to troubleshoot the problem with the oven. While they were trying to fix it, I quickly reorganized our menu and shifted the dishes that required baking to alternative cooking methods, such as grilling, sautéing, or using the stovetop.
I communicated the changes to my team and ensured everyone was on the same page regarding the adjustments we needed to make. I also asked the waitstaff to inform customers about the temporary menu changes, apologizing for any inconvenience caused.
In the meantime, I coordinated with the front-of-house staff to pace the orders and prioritize dishes that could be prepared without the use of the malfunctioning oven. This allowed us to maintain the smooth flow of service and minimize customer wait times.
Simultaneously, I contacted the maintenance department to expedite the repair process and requ… Read full answer