Job description template

Short-Order Cook Job Description Template

A copy-ready short-order cook job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How to use this template

Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows short-order cooks earn a median of $35,880 ($17.25/hour); the middle 50% earn $30,610–$42,450.

Job title

Short-Order Cook

Job summary

[Company name] is seeking a dependable short-order cook to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will cook orders, run the griddle and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.

Responsibilities

  • Cook orders
  • Run the griddle
  • Read tickets
  • Time multiple orders
  • Plate food
  • Restock
  • Clean the line
  • Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations

Required qualifications

  • No formal educational credential
  • Working knowledge of griddle cooking and egg cooking
  • Speed and focus
  • [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]

Preferred qualifications

  • Food handler card
  • ServSafe
  • Culinary classes
  • Experience with griddles

Skills

  • Ticket timing
  • Multitasking
  • Plating
  • Food safety
  • Calm
  • Teamwork

Work environment and schedule

Cooks work at diners, cafés, bars and counters. Early mornings, nights and weekends.

Pay and benefits

$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]

Equal opportunity

[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

Tips for a short-order cook job posting that attracts applicants

  • Use the title candidates search for. “Short-Order Cook” is the clearest; alternates include Diner Cook, Breakfast Cook, Griddle Cook.
  • Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
  • Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
  • Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of a short-order cook so applicants self-select accurately.
  • Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Short-Order Cook training: widens your applicant pool.

Next steps

Screen and interview with our Short-Order Cook hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.

Team pricing