While almost all of the American population has experienced eating in a restaurant at some point in their lives, not many understand the required skill level of those who prepare the meals, as well as the demand for a well-stocked kitchen. A line cook is the professional who is responsible for preparing the food that will be served to patrons at restaurants. Following are five essential skills that every line cook needs in order to perform their job at a high level.
1. Slip Resistant Shoes that are Comfortable
Because restaurant line cooks will spend a lot of time on their feet over the course of their shift, in addition to have to execute a great number of physical movements, it will imperative that they have on slip-resistant shoes that are comfortable. While comfortability is easy to understand, the slip-resistance is equally important, because the kitchen floors tend to become very slippery.
2. A Willingness to Learn
While a good line cook will be well-trained, there is always room for improvement, and often, the difference between good line cooks and great ones is the willingness to learn. A new line cook, and any other type of cooking professional will have to remain humble enough to receive constructive criticism and guidance from more experienced personnel.
3. Good Hygiene
No one wants to eat food that is less than clean, and since line cooks will be handling the food, it is paramount that they maintain their personal hygiene. They should keep their fingernails trimmed, and any facial hair should be under control. They should also wear a hat to reduce the chance of shedding into the food.
4. A Lucid Knowledge of Kitchen Callouts
Restaurant kitchens are extremely hectic environments, where a lot is going on simultaneously. This means that a line cook will have to be able to hear and discern call outs to make sure they are preparing the meals correctly, as well as moving around safely. Callouts like “hot,” “sharp” and “corner” are all common terms that a line cook must be very familiar with.
5. Knife Skills
It is literally impossible to be a good line cook without having good knife skills. In addition to having the right skill set when it comes to using knives, the cook will also want a quality cutlery set, and a quality cutting board, like those sold at Walnut Cutting Boards. Wood cutting boards are preferred over other styles, such as plastic and polymer.
