What to look for when hiring a turkish restaurant
**TL;DR: When hiring staff for a Turkish restaurant, prioritise candidates with relevant kitchen experience, knowledge of Turkish cuisine, and strong customer service skills. Check references carefully, assess their passion for food, and ensure they understand your restaurant’s values. Training matters too, so invest time in teaching your team your specific methods and standards.**
## Introduction
Opening a Turkish restaurant is exciting. You’ve got the recipes, the passion, and the vision. But here’s the thing: your staff makes or breaks the experience. Hiring the right people for your Turkish restaurant isn’t just about filling positions. It’s about building a team that understands your cuisine and treats every customer like family.
Whether you’re looking for chefs, waiters, or kitchen assistants, knowing what to look for saves you headaches later. Bad hires cost money, damage your reputation, and stress you out. Good hires become your restaurant’s backbone. This guide walks you through exactly what matters when you’re bringing people onto your Turkish restaurant team.
## What Experience Should Turkish Restaurant Staff Have?
**Look for candidates who’ve worked in kitchens before, ideally with Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cuisine.** Direct Turkish restaurant experience is brilliant, but it’s not always possible. Someone who’s worked in a busy Greek or Lebanese restaurant understands the pace and style. They know how to handle multiple orders, work as a team, and keep standards high.
Ask about their specific roles. Did they prep ingredients, manage the grill, or lead a station? Someone who’s worked with flatbreads, grilled meats, and fresh herbs already knows half your menu. They understand timing and flavour profiles.
For front-of-house staff, look for hospitality experience. Restaurants, cafes, hotels, or bars all count. They’ve handled customers, managed complaints, and kept their cool under pressure.
## Do You Need Turkish Language Skills?
**Not essential, but helpful, especially in the kitchen.** If you’re serving a large Turkish community, having staff who speak Turkish makes customers feel welcome. It helps with communication and builds loyalty.
However, don’t hire someone just because they speak the language. Skills matter more. A great chef who doesn’t speak Turkish beats a Turkish speaker who can’t cook. That said, if two candidates are equally skilled, the Turkish speaker gives you an advantage.
For front-of-house roles, basic phrases in Turkish are nice additions. Most customers in the UK speak English, though.
## How Do You Spot Genuine Passion for Food?
**Ask candidates why they want to work in your restaurant specifically, not just any restaurant.** Someone passionate talks about Turkish food, mentions dishes they’ve eaten, or explains what drew them in. They’ve likely eaten at Turkish restaurants before.
Listen carefully to their answers. Do they light up discussing food? Or do they just need a job? There’s a difference. Passionate staff care about quality. They notice when spices aren’t fresh. They take pride in presentation.
Ask them to describe their favourite Turkish dish and why they love it. Their answer reveals whether they’ve actually explored the cuisine or are just chasing a payslip.
## What References Should You Check?
**Always call previous employers. Ask about reliability, teamwork, and attitude under pressure.** Reference checks separate serious candidates from risky ones.
Ask specific questions: Did they arrive on time? How did they handle stress? Could they follow instructions? Did they work well with others? Did they improve while employed there?
Be wary of candidates with no references or reluctant references. If their last employer won’t speak highly of them, there’s usually a reason. Trust your gut.
## How Important Is Customer Service Skills?
**Extremely important, especially in hospitality roles.** Turkish restaurants thrive on warmth and hospitality. Your staff represent that culture.
Look for staff who are genuinely friendly, not just polite. They should listen to customers, remember orders accurately, and handle complaints without defensiveness. They need patience. Hospitality jobs are demanding, and you need people who stay calm when things get busy.
During interviews, see how candidates treat you. Do they make eye contact? Do they ask questions? Are they genuinely interested? These hints show how they’ll treat customers.
## Conclusion
Hiring great staff takes time and thought, but it’s worth every minute. Focus on experience, genuine passion, and the right attitude. Check those references, ask thoughtful questions, and trust your instincts. Your Turkish restaurant deserves a team that’s as committed as you are to delivering brilliant food and warm hospitality.
Ready to build your team? **Find a Turkish restaurant near you by searching our free UK directory** to see what other successful Turkish restaurants are doing, or list your own once you’ve got your brilliant crew in place.
## FAQ
**Q: Should I hire only experienced kitchen staff?**
A: No. Keen candidates with strong attitudes can be trained. Experience helps, but passion and reliability matter equally.
**Q: What salary should I offer Turkish restaurant staff?**
A: UK minimum wage applies, but experienced chefs often earn £20,000-£28,000 annually. Experienced head chefs can earn more.
**Q: How long should I train new staff?**
A: Plan for 2-4 weeks of hands-on training for kitchen staff. Front-of-house staff typically need 1-2 weeks.
**Q: Is it worth hiring family members?**
A: Hiring family can work, but it complicates management. Keep professional boundaries clear.
**Q: What should I ask during interviews?**
A: Ask about kitchen experience, why they want the job, how they handle stress, and get their availability and expectations about pay.