How do I Become a Line Cook?

The culinary arts offer a number of options for the aspiring cook. One of these options is the position of line cook. Line cooks work at a specific station on what is called the "front line" of the kitchen, hence the title "line cook." These stations include areas such as saute, grill, and deep fry. As orders come in the kitchen, the line cook working at a particular station begins preparing the portions of the order that his or her particular area is responsible for.

Working as a line cook affords one the ability to learn how a kitchen functions, and it's one of the most common entry level kitchen jobs for aspiring chefs. Opportunities are available at restaurants of every type of cuisine and budget level. Line cooks work at small bar and grills, family-style restaurants, and five star establishments. Acquiring a line cook position can be achieved a few different ways.

A high school diploma is not required for this job, and many line cooks obtain a job with no experience and learn as they go. Entry level line cooks who learn on the job begin with instruction on sanitation, safety, and food preparation. They begin working on one station and once an area is mastered, they may have the opportunity to move to other areas and learn the entire kitchen. To obtain a line cook job in this way, one should apply to all types of restaurants. Even if a restaurant doesn't serve a line cook's first choice of cuisine, every opportunity should be explored.

Others may take advantage of high school co-op programs. These programs allow students to study food preparation and learn about the restaurant business by attending classes a few hours a day, then working at a participating restaurant part-time. This is a great way to ease into the restaurant business, but is only available at select schools.

For those who wish to use a line cook position as a stepping stone to a career as a chef, a culinary school may be the best option. Once a culinary program is begun, the experience and knowledge obtained in classes may be appealing to restaurant managers looking for new line cooks. Often, instructors and advisors at different schools may have contacts and opportunities for students who wish to acquire experience as a line cook.

Whichever the course of entry, a line cook will be well-served to show interest in other stations and duties. The more knowledge, the more opportunities that may come along. Every position in a kitchen works in unison to prepare the best quality of food and service for the customer. Knowing how each position works allows the restaurant staff to work together to achieve the best result.