Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt a recipe or dish on the fly?

Your Answer

How To Answer This Question?

This question is designed to evaluate your adaptability, creativity, and quick thinking in a high-pressure kitchen environment. When answering, choose a specific example where you successfully adapted a recipe or dish due to unexpected circumstances, such as missing ingredients or equipment failure. Explain the situation, the challenge you faced, the actions you took, and the positive outcome. For instance, you might describe a time when a key ingredient was unavailable, and you had to find a suitable substitute without compromising the dish's quality. Emphasize your ability to stay calm, think on your feet, and deliver a high-quality dish despite the challenges. Example: 'Once, during a busy dinner service, we ran out of a key ingredient for a popular dish. I quickly assessed the available ingredients and decided to use a similar ingredient that complemented the dish well. I informed the head chef and the waitstaff about the change, and the dish was well-received by the customers, maintaining our restaurant's high standards.'