Free line cook job description template
Fill in the [brackets] and cut anything that doesn’t fit your job. Unlock one-tap copy and PDF download free with your email.
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Line Cook job description template · Fill in the [brackets]
Line Cook
About the job
[Business name] is hiring a Line Cook who prepares menu items to the restaurant's recipes and standards, safely and quickly, during busy service. [One or two sentences about your business and why someone would want to work there.]
What you’ll do
- Prepare and cook menu items to recipe and plating standards
- Set up and stock the [station] before service
- Weigh, measure and mix ingredients
- Grill, fry, sauté or bake [proteins, vegetables and other items]
- Follow food safety, storage and temperature rules
- Keep the station, equipment and utensils clean during and after service
- Communicate with the kitchen team to keep tickets moving
What you need
- Kitchen experience [or willingness to learn]
- Able to work quickly under pressure and stand for a full shift
- Available [evenings, weekends and holidays]
- Food handler certification [if required in your state or city]
Nice to have
- Experience on [grill, sauté or fry] station
- Culinary training
How to apply
[Apply link, email or phone], by [date].
[Business name] is an equal opportunity employer.
✓ Unlocked. Use the buttons above the template to copy it or save it as a PDF.
Example: the template filled in for a small business
Hypothetical example for Main Street Diner, a family-owned breakfast and lunch spot.
Main Street Diner is hiring a full-time Line Cook for our breakfast and lunch line (6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday). You'll work the flat-top and fryer, prep for service and keep your station clean. No late nights.
Notice what makes it work: real hours, the actual tools, who they report to, and one honest reason to want the job. That’s the difference between a blank template and a job description that gets the right applicants.
What a line cook does
A line cook prepares menu items to the restaurant's recipes and standards, safely and quickly, during busy service. Typical duties include:
- Prepare and cook menu items to recipe and plating standards
- Set up and stock the station before service
- Weigh, measure and mix ingredients
- Grill, fry, sauté or bake proteins, vegetables and other items
- Follow food safety, storage and temperature rules
- Keep the station, equipment and utensils clean during and after service
Duties adapted from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Requirements, training and licenses
Most cooks learn on the job; some attend culinary school or complete an apprenticeship. Many states don't require certification for cooks, but some states and cities require a food handler card.
Training: On-the-job training; some complete apprenticeships of about a year.
How much does a line cook make?
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. A median means half earned more and half earned less. Pay in your area may be higher or lower; check postings for similar jobs near you. A growing number of states and cities require a pay range in job postings, so check your local rules before you post.
Before you set the rate, run the free hiring cost calculator. It adds payroll taxes and other costs and shows how much work the hire needs to bring in to pay for itself.
Free template or written for you?
| Free template | Job Description $99 | Hiring Kit $349 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written for | Any business | Your business | Your business |
| Duties and schedule | Typical, with blanks | Yours, filled in | Yours, filled in |
| Pay | National figure | Set for your local market | Set for your local market |
| State rules | “Check your state” | Checked for your state | Checked for your state |
| Ready to post | No, you edit it | Yes | Yes, plus the job posting |
| Performance review form | — | Included free | Included |
| Interview guide and 30-60-90 day plan | — | — | Included |
| Use the template | Have us write it | Get the Hiring Kit |
Free template
- Typical duties with blanks to fill in
- National pay figure
- You edit it before posting
Job Description · $99
- Written for your business: your duties, schedule and pay
- Checked for your state’s rules
- Ready to post
- Free matching performance review form
Hiring Kit · $349
- Everything in the $99 job description
- The job posting
- Interview guide
- 30-60-90 day plan for the new hire
Fixed prices. See what’s included in Job Description Writing and the Hiring Kit.
Common questions
Does a line cook need a food handler card?
It depends on your state and city. Some require every food worker to get a food handler card within a set time after hire; others only require a certified manager on site. Check with your local health department before your new cook's first shift.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Copy it, edit it and post it. It's a starting point written for any business, so fill in the brackets and adjust the duties to your actual job. If you'd rather have it written for your business, ready to post, our Job Description service is $99.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is general information. Requirements for some roles, especially in healthcare, vary by state. Check your state's rules, and talk to an employment attorney if you're unsure.
Published by Groundwork Business Advisory. Updated October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Pay data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 wage estimates.