Cook abroad: how to find a worker for a restaurant kitchen
What role in the kitchen
Kitchens abroad divide posts more clearly than many are used to. There is a hot-section cook, a cold-section cook, a pizza chef, a baker, a kitchen assistant and a kitchen hand. The pay and the requirements depend on this. So instead of “cook needed”, write which section and which cuisine you need: continental, Asian, a pizzeria, fast food.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You describe the job once in your own words. You do not need to choose a category. The request is checked: no ads or contacts in the text, with a hint on what else to add. Cooks reply in the chat, telling you about their experience and when they can travel. The number is hidden, and contacts go only to the candidate you choose. A request stays active for 7 days and can be extended. More on the How it works page.
What to put in the listing
- Post — hot-section cook, pizza chef, assistant.
- Experience — how many years and in which cuisine.
- Salary — per month or per hour, net or gross, for example 4,500 zloty net.
- Place of work — country, city and type of place.
- Schedule — for example, 6-on-1-off at 10 hours, shifts and days off.
- Employment — formal, contract, work visa.
- Accommodation and meals — free or paid.
- Language — basic English or the country's language.
Example: “Poland, Krakow: a restaurant needs a hot-section cook with 2+ years of experience. 6-on-1-off at 10 hours, 4,500 zloty net, formal contract with a work visa. Accommodation and meals free, basic English.”
How to choose a candidate
Ask in what kind of kitchen and how many seats the person worked, because a chef in a 40-seat restaurant and a canteen for 300 are different experience. Ask them to describe a typical day, speed on the line and prep skills. Check the health card or an equivalent document, as every country has its own requirements for staff.
Tell them in advance about the uniform, whether meals are provided during a shift, whether there are tips and how they are shared. Living conditions also affect the decision: a room for two is better than a shared room for six. The rules for employing foreigners depend on the country, so it is always better to check them with official sources.
Common mistakes
Writing “cook” without a section. Not explaining whether the rate is net or gross. Hiding evening shifts and weekends. For related jobs there are general labourers and packers.
For those looking for work
A cook can register on BlaBlaPrice as a service provider, choose this category and area, and reply to listings. An employer only needs to create a request.
