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Food and Beverage Assistant Interview Questions

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Food and Beverage Assistant interview questions and answers.

  1. What food handling certification do you have? See answer
  2. What settings are you comfortable working in? See answer
  3. Have you ever had a conflict with a teammate or customer? What did you do to resolve it? See answer
  4. Do you see yourself continuing with us long-term? See answer
  5. How do you ensure customers leave happy? See answer
  6. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a teammate or customer. See answer
  7. How do you deal with customer complaints? See answer
  8. Do you have experience working as a team? Are you comfortable doing so? See answer
  9. Why do you want to leave your current position in favour of working as a food and beverage assistant with us? See answer
  10. What skills do you have that can benefit our food and beverage team? See answer
  11. How do you help prevent cross-contamination? See answer
  12. What’s a typical day as a food and beverage assistant like for you?
  13. What’s the most important skill to have as a food and beverage assistant?
  14. What do you like most about being a food and beverage assistant?
  15. Would you approach a teammate if you noticed them not following food and safety regulations?
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Hire your next Food and Beverage Assistant today.

Post a job

Hire your next Food and Beverage Assistant today.

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Food and Beverage Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

What food handling certification do you have?

The goal of this question is to determine whether the candidate has the food handling certification required in your province or territory. What to look for in an answer:

  • Whether the candidate holds the necessary certification
  • Knowledge of safety standards when handling food
  • Willingness to obtain certification if necessary

Example:

"I completed the Ontario Food Handler Certification course and received my certificate in 2019. The certification is valid for five years before I need to renew it again."

What settings are you comfortable working in?

The goal of this question is to determine what the candidate's past positions were like and to find out if they would be a good fit in your work environment. What to look for in an answer:

  • Versatility
  • Whether they would be comfortable working in the setting you provide
  • Past experience in similar settings

Example:

"In the past, I have worked in a bar, a restaurant, and a convention hall, so I am comfortable in a variety of settings. I adapt easily and am always willing to learn."

What's a typical day as a food and beverage assistant like for you?

The goal of this question is to determine the candidate's knowledge of the position. What to look for in an answer:

  • An understanding of what a food and beverage assistant does
  • Past experience in a similar role
  • A willingness to adapt to a new schedule

Example:

"I used to work for a catering company as a food and beverage assistant. I would meet my team at the convention centre or hall and approach my supervisor for my assignment. I was usually responsible for serving food at the buffet and cleaning up afterwards."

What's the most important skill to have as a food and beverage assistant?

The goal of this question is to gauge the candidate's understanding of the skills it takes to succeed as a food and beverage assistant. What to look for in an answer:

  • Skills relevant to the position
  • Whether the candidate possesses these skills
  • An understanding of what it takes to be a successful food and beverage assistant

Example:

"I think the most important skill to have as a food and beverage assistant is the ability to communicate well. Food and beverage assistants must work well with an entyre team of people and ensure customers are happy,and strong communication skills are necessary for both."

Have you ever had a conflict with a teammate or customer? What did you do to resolve it?

The goal of this question is to gauge whether the candidate has the conflict resolution skills needed to be a food and beverage assistant. What to look for in an answer:

  • Strong conflict resolution skills
  • The ability to solve problems independently or escalate them when necessary
  • Good communication skills

Example:

"I did have an issue with a chef once. I was asking him about the ingredients in a specific dish and he got upset and said I was asking too many questions before giving me the recipe card. I approached him after our shift and apologised for not being familiar with every dish and he apologised for getting upset. We agreed that I should take the recipe cards home tofamiliarisemyself with them."

Do you see yourself continuing with us long-term?

The goal of this question is to determine what the candidate's future plans are and how that could impact your work. What to look for in an answer:

  • Candidates who want to work infood and beverage services long-term
  • Whether the candidate has set certain goals for their career
  • An understanding of how they can grow in their role

Example:

"I love the food and beverage industry and want to pursue a career with you long-term. My goal would be to work as a food and beverage assistant for a few years before pursuing a serving role, and eventually a managerial role, in the company."

What's your favourite thing about being a food and beverage assistant?

The goal of this question is to see if the candidate is passionate about their work. What to look for in an answer:

  • An honest response
  • Understanding of the role
  • Whether your position is right for them

Example:

"My favourite part about working in the food and beverage industry is getting to meet so many new people. I sometimes assist hundreds of customers a week, so I am constantly meeting and talking to new people that I would have never otherwise met. Being a food and beverage assistant was a great way to get out of my shell and get to know new people."

How do you ensure customers leave happy?

The goal of this question is to determine whether the candidate has strong customer service skills. What to look for in an answer:

  • An understanding of the role
  • Strong customer service skills
  • Ability to communicate effectively

Example:

"Ensuring customers leave happy has always been my number one goal, especially when I worked in a restaurant as it encouraged customers to keep coming back. I always greet my customers within minutes of them sitting down. Throughout the meal, I always visually or vocally check up on tables to see if they need anything. I try to clear their dirty dishes as soon as possible and ask them what they thought of the meal. On their way out, I thank them and say I look forward to seeing them again."

Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a teammate or customer.

The goal of this question is to see how the candidate exceeds expectations. What to look for in an answer:

  • An ability to build strong relationships
  • Knowledge of what's expected and how to go above that
  • Whether the candidate is a team player

Example:

"I always do my best to support my co-workers as much as I can. A fellow food and beverage assistant really needed a day off, but there was no one to cover him. I volunteered to do a double shift so he could take the time he needed."

How do you deal with customer complaints?

The goal of this question is to gauge the candidate's problem-solving skills. What to look for in an answer:

  • Strong problem-solving skills
  • Independent thinking
  • Ability to communicate under pressure

Example:

"I always try to deal with customer complaints on my own first. If it's something small I can fix, I apologise and fix it right away. If there's a bigger issue or a customer has a complaint about me, I bring in my supervisor for assistance."

Do you have experience working as a team? Are you comfortable doing so?

The goal of this question is to determine whether the candidate is a team player and can function both independently and as part of a team. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience working with a team
  • Willingness to do so if they don't have prior experience
  • Understanding of how their role fits into a team

Example:

"As I have past experience in a food and beverage assistant role, I have plenty of experience working in a team. I actually function better in a team as I enjoy the camaraderie and support."

Why do you want to leave your current position in favour of working as a food and beverage assistant with us?

The goal of this question is to see if the candidate is leaving their current employer on good terms and why they want to join your company. What to look for in an answer:

  • If the candidate is choosing to leave their position or if they were let go
  • How reliable the candidate is
  • Whether your company offers the new opportunity the candidate is looking for

Example:

"Although I already work as a food and beverage assistant, my current company does not have much room for growth. There are a limited number of managerial positions and I would like to work for a company, such as yours, that offers more of an opportunity to advance my careerin the food and beverage industry."

What skills do you have that can benefit our food and beverage team?

The goal of this question is to determine what relevant skills the candidate has for this position. What to look for in an answer:

  • Strong customer service skills
  • Good communication
  • Ability to multi-task

Example:

"I am a strong communicator which helps me work with my team members and engage with customers. I can also handle multiple tasks at once as I am used to working in a fast-paced environment. Lastly, I take pride in my customer service skills as I aim to ensure every customer leaves happy."

How do you help prevent cross-contamination?

The goal of this question is to see if the candidate understands proper food handling techniques. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of food safety regulations and how to apply them
  • Understanding of their role in preventing cross-contamination
  • Experience with food safety

Example:

"As I frequently worked at the buffet station at my previous job, I have firsthand experience with food safety regulations. I had to ensure the temperature of the food remained outside of the danger zone as well as keep the area clean of food spills. I also had to ensure every dish had its own serving utensil and monitor customers in the self-service areas. Whenever I left the floor, for example, for a break, I made sure to thoroughly wash my hands before returning."

Would you approach a teammate if you notice them not following food and safety regulations?

The goal of this question is to gauge whether the candidate has good conflict resolution and problem-solving skills. It also helps to determine whether the candidate will keep teammates accountable. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of when it is important to intervene or bring an issue to a supervisor's attention
  • Understanding of food and safety regulations
  • Good conflict resolution and communication skills

Example:

"If I saw my teammate not following food and safety regulations, I would approach them and explain that what they're doing could result in a customer getting sick or the kitchen getting closed down. If I continue to notice them making the same mistake, I would bring it to a supervisor's attention."

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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