It’s always tricky to know what to wear for an interview. You don’t want to dress too formal, but you don’t want to come across as too casual either. If you’re interviewing for a specific kind of job, then you might need to dress differently for that role.
It’s even more challenging to decide what to wear when interviewing for a chef position. Should you go in a business suit or a chef’s outfit? Let’s look at some ways to dress for a chef interview.
Before the Interview
It’s important to know that a chef interview is usually more relaxed than a corporate interview. The interviewer is often the restaurant’s manager, the head chef, or both, and they will be more focused on your skills and ability to run the kitchen than your looks.
That being said, you still need to look decent for your interview. First impressions count so you must show the interviewer you have good hygiene, primarily since you want to work in a kitchen. For example, if you have long hair, you should tie it back. You want to avoid hair being in your face while providing a cooking demo.
What Shoes to Wear
If you have a formal interview where you only need to impress your interviewer with your personality, you can wear leather shoes for a sleek look designed to make you look professional. It would be best to choose shoes with comfortable cushioned insoles in case you need to be on your feet a lot.
If you have an interview where you need to give a cooking demo, you’ll need to wear shoes that are acceptable for kitchen work. Usually, chefs wear kitchen clogs because they don’t get ruined if food is spilled on them.
For the Cooking Demo Interview
Most of the time, to become a chef, you will need to do a cooking demo interview. You will need to wear a chef’s outfit or essential items for this. For example, you can wear chef pants from TILIT because they are flexible and allow you to move quickly in the kitchen.
Another essential item you should wear for the cooking demo is a jacket. A chef’s jacket is a protective piece of clothing that deflects heat and keeps you safe from hot liquids. It will also show you are a professional and know your way around the kitchen.
What to Wear for Corporate or Casino Chef Interviews
If you’ve applied for a corporate or casino chef position, you’ll likely have your first interview with someone that doesn’t spend their time in the kitchen. The best option here it is to wear a suit that makes you look like you would fit in a corporate environment.
You should never wear casual clothes to a corporate interview because you will look cocky and dismissive. Instead, you want to present your best self, which will inspire competence.
Wearing the proper attire for an interview will give you confidence and boost your chances of getting hired. All you have to know is what kind of position you are applying for, and whether a cooking demo will be required, and then you can dress to impress.
