Common Head Chef interview questions and how to ace them

Preparing for a Head Chef interview can feel a bit like a Saturday night service, fast-paced, high-pressure, and full of moments where you need to bring your A-game.

The good news? Most Head Chef interview questions follow predictable themes: leadership, commercial thinking, kitchen standards, and how you handle pressure. If you know what interviewers are really looking for, you can walk in confident, prepared, and ready to impress.

At M&B, we’re looking for Head Chefs who lead brilliant teams, deliver consistent quality, and run kitchens that perform, commercially and culturally. Here’s how to answer the most common Head Chef interview questions and stand out from the competition.

What interviewers really want to learn from Head Chef interview questions

Head Chef interviews aren’t just about food, they’re about how you think, how you lead, and how you perform under pressure.

Most Head Chef interview questions are designed to understand:

• How you run a kitchen team
• How you motivate your develop your team
• How you manage costs, margins, and performance
• How you maintain quality and consistency
• How you handle challenges, conflict, and busy services
• How you balance creativity with commercial reality

The strongest candidates don’t just answer questions, they tell clear stories, share real examples, and back everything up with results.

Leadership and team-focused Head Chef interview questions

At senior level, leadership is everything, so expect plenty of Head Chef interview questions about how you manage and inspire your team.

Common questions include:

• How do you lead and motivate your kitchen team?
• How do you handle conflict or underperformance?
• How do you train and develop all members of the kitchen, from kitchen assistant to sous chefs? 
• Tell me about a time when you needed to reengage a team to deliver a target

How to ace your answer:

Focus on real examples, not generic leadership talk. Highlight:

• How you build trust and respect
• How you coach and develop talent
• How you improve morale and retention
• Any chefs you’ve helped progress into senior roles

At M&B, we love hearing about Head Chefs who build positive, high-energy kitchen cultures. 

Commercial and performance-focused Head Chef interview questions

Modern Head Chefs are business leaders, so expect Head Chef interview questions about numbers, margins, and results.

You might be asked:

• How do you control food costs? 
• How have you improved kitchen profitability in the past?
• How do you manage stock, waste, and ordering?

How to ace your answer:

Bring numbers. Talk about:

• Waste reduction
• Labour efficiency
• Sales-driving menu changes
• Process improvements that saved money or improved profit targets or guest satisfaction scores

For example:

“I reduced food waste by 20% by tightening stock control and improving ordering forecasts.”

This shows you think like a Head Chef and a business leader, something we really value at M&B. 

Food, standards, and quality Head Chef interview questions

You’ll also get Head Chef interview questions that test your commitment to quality, consistency, and food safety. 

Common examples:

• How do you maintain consistent food standards?
• How do you manage food safety and hygiene?
• How do you handle guest complaints about food?

How to ace your answer:
Show that you care about:

• Detail and consistency
• Training your team to deliver high standards
• Responding positively to feedback

At M&B, we look for Head Chefs who deliver guest-loved food, every service, not just on good days. 

Pressure, problem-solving, and real-life scenario questions

Some of the toughest Head Chef interview questions are situational, designed to test how you react under pressure. 

You might hear:

• What would you do if your kitchen was short-staffed on a busy shift?
• Tell me about a time a service went wrong, how did you fix it? 
• How do you handle last-minute supplier issues?

How to ace your answer:

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Focus on:

• Staying calm under pressure
• Taking ownership
• Supporting your team
• Finding practical, fast solutions
  
  

Show that you’re the kind of Head Chef who keeps the kitchen steady, even when things get chaotic. 

Culture fit and M&B-focused Head Chef interview questions

If you’re interviewing with M&B, expect questions about culture, teamwork, and guest experience.

You might be asked:

• Why do you want to work at M&B?
• How do you create a positive kitchen culture?
• How do you keep guests at the heart of your decisions?

How to ace your answer:

Show that you understand our environment:

• Fast-paced, high-volume kitchens
• Strong brand standards
• A focus on consistency, people, and performance

Talk about how you:

• Build inclusive, supportive teams
• Lead with energy and pride
• Care about both your people and your guests
  
  

We’re looking for Head Chefs who don’t just run kitchens, they raise standards and bring people with them.

How to prepare for Head Chef interview questions like a pro

Preparation is your secret weapon.

Before your interview:

• Review the most common Head Chef interview questions
• Prepare 5–6 strong stories that show leadership, results, and problem-solving
• Refresh your knowledge on kitchen KPIs
• Research the business — especially if you’re applying to M&B
• Practice answering out loud so you sound confident, not scripted

Confidence comes from preparation + experience, and you already have the experience.

Ready to ace your next Head Chef interview?

If you’re preparing for your next role, mastering Head Chef interview questions can give you a real edge.

And if you’re excited about leading great teams, serving brilliant food, and building a standout kitchen culture, we’d love to meet you at M&B.

Explore Head Chef opportunities at M&B and take the next step in your career.