How to Train a Line Cook: Line Cook Training Program (Free Manual Template)

The chef may be in charge of every aspect of food preparation in a restaurant, but no chef can operate effectively without a brigade of line cooks. A kitchen functions as an assembly line, with a cook at each step to contribute to the final product. From the prep cook who comes in early to get the ingredients ready to the grill cook who fires the meats, line cooks are essential in restaurants.

The number of line cooks and their various jobs depends on the restaurant, but they all need to work in harmony in order to keep the kitchen running smoothly. 

As a line cook, you’ll be tasked with a wide range of responsibilities. As a result, line cook training is essential if you’re going to keep up in a fast-paced kitchen environment. Much like knives, restaurant skills need to be sharpened, and that goes for both industry rookies and experienced line cooks. 

In this guide, we'll present the best in-person and online courses for line cook training. we'll also outline the key skills every good line cook should possess and how to apply for line cook jobs. Finally, we'll conclude with a special section for restaurant owners detailing how they can incorporate line cook training into their onboarding process.

What’s in This Guide?

• Best Line Cook Training Programs

• Job Skills Developed in Training

• Types of Line Cook Training

• How to Apply for a Line Cook Job Post-Training

• How to Hire and Onboard New Line Cooks

• Final Thoughts

Best Line Cook Training Programs

If you’re a line cook looking to get the best training or a restaurant owner seeking out the top courses to train your employees, you’ll want to stick around for this section. Here, we'll outline some of the best training programs for line cooks in the US, from top institutions to reputable online courses.

Formal Line Cook Training Programs

Formal education for line cooks is widespread across the country. Many organizations offer degrees and qualifications you can receive in person, but you will likely have to relocate to take advantage of these programs. Here are some of my top recommendations:

• Culinary Institute of America: The top line cook training program in the U.S. is at the Culinary Institute of America, which has campuses in New York State and Texas. This high-profile school offers bachelor’s and associate’s degrees alongside formal internship programs, helping students get on-the-job experience.

• Johnson & Wales University: Based in Providence, Rhode Island, but with additional campuses in Denver, Charlotte, and Miami, Johnson & Wales University offers degrees and internships so students can get the full practical experience of being a cook. Their Culinary Arts Degree is an ideal example of great line cook training.

• Santa Ana College, California: If you’re based in California, you can sign up to study in Santa Ana to become a professional line cook. Their courses include line cook food preparation, food safety, and break-making, helping students learn a range of essential skills affordably and easily with accessible evening classes.

Online Line Cook Training Programs

Due to the cost of relocating cities, many prospective line cooks opt for online training programs. These are often cheaper and more flexible but may lack opportunities for hands-on experience. Here are some of the best online line cook courses:

• Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts: If you’re after a degree, the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is entirely online and offers both an associate’s degree and a diploma. The school also arranges externships so students can get practical experience before they graduate. The program takes 60 weeks - with between 15 and 22 hours of classes per week - and the full cost of the diploma program is $21,501.

• Le Cordon Bleu: With campuses all over the world, this globally renowned culinary school offers a range of classes online. Le Cordon Bleu provides high-quality training to prepare prospective line cooks for working in high-end restaurants. It offers a wide variety of courses to get you fully prepared for life as a professional line cook.

• America’s Test Kitchen: If you can already count on restaurant experience and you’re just looking to broaden your cooking skills, America’s Test Kitchen has hundreds of online cooking classes that can help you improve your skills quickly. The classes are affordable and easy to access whenever and wherever you want.

Whichever way you choose to train, these institutions and organizations provide some of the best resources for line cook training out there. 

Job Skills Developed in Line Cook Training

From soft skills like effective communication and organization to specialized abilities like knife skills and inventory management, there’s a lot to learn as a line cook.

Basic Line Cook Skills

There are certain basic skills that every line cook needs to master. As well as having solid interpersonal and organization skills, cooks should also possess a good knowledge of the kitchen, including utensils, roles, and food. Here are some basic line cook skills to look out for:

• Interpersonal Skills: Communication and organization are key soft skills that all line cooks should have. Working in a kitchen has its stressful moments, but with effective communication, good listening skills, and on-the-ball time management, line cooks can perform their duties well. Although cooks don’t normally interact with customers, they should still have some basic knowledge of customer service and salesmanship in case it comes up.

• Attention to Detail: Line cooks should develop strong attention to detail skills so they can work effectively with other members of the kitchen and front-of-house staff to create the best dishes and perfect the guest experience.

• Knife Skills: The knife is perhaps a line cook’s most-used utensil. As such, they must learn to wield a variety of knife types expertly, efficiently, and safely, whether they’re chopping vegetables or gutting fish. Knife skills are a basic requirement of line cooks.

• Kitchen Knowledge: A comprehensive knowledge of kitchen equipment and terminology is vital when working as a line cook. For example, you should know the difference between grilling and sauteing and how to choose the right pans for the required dish.

Advanced Line Cook Skills

Many line cooks possess a range of advanced skills to help them stand out from the rest. As line cooks progress through the ranks, they acquire more sophisticated skills that can help qualify them for more senior positions. If you’re looking to work your way up to be a sous chef or executive chef, you should think about learning the following skills:

• Specialized Food Knowledge: Every station in the kitchen requires its own particular set of skills. There are distinct preparation techniques for fish and meat, for example, as well as for sauces, soups, and salads. Any cook who has aspirations to become a sous chef and eventually a head chef needs to master all these different stations.

• Food Safety: Certifications in food safety are essential for successful line cooks. Since a large part of their daily duties involve handling food and cooking, knowledge of safety precautions and healthy preparation techniques is vital.

• Management Skills: Management skills are also desired in line cooks to help them handle different personalities and keep the kitchen running smoothly. Employees who demonstrate strong management skills also prove to their superiors that they are ready for a promotion.

Learning new skills can show your supervisors that you are serious about pursuing a career in cooking and will let restaurants know that you are ready for new responsibilities. Line cook skills are also good to put on your resume when you’re looking for a new job, as they demonstrate that you’re very knowledgeable about the kitchen and that you are a valuable asset.

Types of Line Cook Training

To train as a line cook, you may be required to do one of three types of training: on-the-job experience, formal education, or online training programs. There are no specific line cook education requirements, and many line cooks start out by gaining practical experience shadowing other staff members. In this section, we'll outline the various types of line cook education paths available.

On-The-Job Training 

It’s easier to get on-the-job training in smaller, more casual spots than in formal five-star restaurants. Before you start, you may need to get a food handler’s permit through your local health department –  this will usually require you to attend a short in-person course. 

Training will likely then be handled by a more experienced coworker. There may also be a training manual that lays out recipes and cooking methods specific to this particular kitchen for you to study. In a larger kitchen, you may begin as a commis or assistant to one of the line cooks or as a prep cook who gets all the ingredients ready for the day. You may even start as the staff cook, the person who prepares the “family meal” for the rest of the staff. 

The advantage of on-the-job training is that you learn by working in an actual kitchen environment. You can shadow more experienced cooks as they go about their work, which can teach you all sorts of new skills. Depending on your situation, you may also get paid as you learn. 

The disadvantage to training on the job is that you’ll be learning skills particular to the kitchen where you’re working, which may not be 100% transferable across restaurants. 

Formal Training Programs 

The restaurant industry has produced many formal training programs for cooks and aspiring chefs. These range from one-day classes for specific skills to multi-year programs that offer full college degrees. After completing a formal training program, you’ll normally receive a diploma or certification that you can include on your resume to show that you’ve mastered a set of particular skills. 

Many culinary schools and training programs also provide job listings and networking opportunities to help graduates get jobs. Another advantage of in-person training programs at a culinary school is that you’ll be under the direct supervision of your instructor, giving you great chances to ask questions and learn by doing. Depending on your program, you may also get experience preparing and serving food to the public. 

The disadvantage of formal training programs is that they can be expensive and time-consuming, and you may have to move cities to be close to campus. 

Online Training 

Online training programs can give you access to some of the world’s top chefs. They’re also less expensive and offer more flexibility than in-person training programs. In most cases, you’ll be able to take classes in your own home on your own time.

As with in-person training, however, the range of classes varies, from brief seminars on certain skills and techniques to full degree-granting programs that also provide job boards and networking opportunities after graduation. 

The disadvantage of online training is that you’re working alone with no one to correct your technique or answer your questions on the fly. You’ll be responsible for sourcing all your own ingredients and equipment, and you won’t get hands-on experience in an actual restaurant.

How to Apply for a Line Cook Job After Training

According to Zippia, there are an average of 419,300 job openings for line cooks every year. That translates into plenty of opportunities for you to use your training. 

If you’ve completed a formal training program with a diploma or certification, be sure to list that at the top of your line cook resume, along with any other apprenticeships and stages and various skills you’ve picked up along the way that relate to the position you’re applying for.

How do you look for line cook jobs? With so many opportunities out there, where should you begin? Well, here are some ideas of where to start:

1. Online Job Boards: There’s a wide array of jobseekers’ forums on the internet, many of which provide job adverts for line cooks. A quick Google search will return several websites where you can leisurely search for line cook positions.

2. School Job Boards: Many culinary schools and training programs maintain job boards for graduates, as well as networking opportunities while you’re enrolled. If you attend a formal college, make sure to take advantage of these programs as much as possible.

3. Personal Network: Use your own personal network to find out about job openings, both through social media and in real life. Message anyone and everyone in the industry to see if they have any job openings.

4. Restaurants: Many restaurants in search of new line cooks will post notices on their premises or websites and advertise on local job sites for restaurant professionals.

Use these four methods to go about finding a job as a line cook. With so many restaurants around, you should hopefully meet little resistance when it comes to securing a position.

Tips for Restaurants to Hire Line Cooks

When it’s time to hire a new line cook, you should seek out qualified staff that have proven experience or invest in training programs for new employees. This will ensure you assemble the best team possible to produce exquisite dining experiences even during shifts of long hours. Here are some tips for hiring the best line cooks:

1. Use Your Network: Just like when you’re looking for a job, you can use your vast network of contacts to see if there are any qualified cooks who’d like a job at your establishment. This technique works well when there are experienced cooks at other establishments who are looking for a promotion or a different challenge.

2. Give Prospective Cooks a Trial Shift: Trial shifts are useful for restaurant managers to see their line cook candidates in action. You can evaluate them on knife skills, cooking ability, and organization much more accurately when you see them work in person.

3. Provide Constant Feedback: Consistent feedback is key to onboarding new employees effectively. Positive reinforcement and helpful suggestions will allow your new hire to develop quickly and become the type of line cook you need.

Final Thoughts on Line Cook Training

A good line cook is an essential part of any kitchen staff. As a result, comprehensive line cook training is required if you want to find relevant jobs or hire the best staff. No matter how long you’ve been cooking, there’s always more to learn, especially if you want to move up through the kitchen brigade.

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FAQs

How do I practice being a line cook?

The easiest way to practice your line cook skills is to simply cook at home. You always learn something every time you prepare a dish, whether that’s knife skills or flavoring. You can also enlist in online courses, enrol in culinary school, or get a job/internship at a local restaurant.

Is being a line cook stressful?

All restaurants have their moments of madness, particularly during peak hours and holidays. Being a line cook is no more stressful than other jobs, but be prepared to occasionally work long hours and to high standards. Stress affects everyone differently but if cooking is your passion, you will most likely enjoy being a line cook.

Is a line cook the same as a chef?

While line cooks have many of the same responsibilities as a chef, they are not the same thing. Chefs are more general and oversee all cooking operations, while line cooks work on a particular stage in the dish preparation process. For instance, one line cook may be simply required to chop fruit and vegetables. Another line cook, meanwhile, will be responsible for brazing the meat.

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