Jobs › Northwestern Mutual

Chef FT

Northwestern Mutual · Milwaukee, WI · Full time

Posted Oct 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Northwestern Mutual

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time something went wrong right before a big catering service. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm and solve problems under time pressure.

How do you work with servers and other cooks so the line runs smoothly?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate well as part of a team under a Chef Team Leader.

How do you keep your station and equipment clean during a busy shift?

What they are checking: Whether they keep sanitation steady throughout service, not only at the end.

What would you do

How would you make a classic comfort dish healthier without losing the flavor people expect?

What they are checking: Whether they can research and test menu items that fit a wellness profile.

A guest asks you during a demonstration cooking station what's in a dish because of an allergy. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate clearly with customers and take allergies seriously.

How would you contribute to menu planning for a corporate cafeteria?

What they are checking: Whether they think about cost, variety and what employees will actually eat.

About the work

Tell me about your scratch cooking experience. What soups, sauces or roasts can you make without a recipe?

What they are checking: Whether they have real scratch cooking skills, which this role relies on daily.

How do you scale a recipe from a dinner for ten to a catering event for two hundred?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle volume cooking without losing quality or consistency.

What baking or proofing experience do you have?

What they are checking: Whether they can cover the bakery items the posting lists, which need different skills from savory cooking.

Walk me through how you cool a large batch of soup safely.

What they are checking: Whether they know proper cooling times and temperatures to prevent foodborne illness.

How do you keep yourself and others safe around knives, hot equipment and heavy lifting?

What they are checking: Whether they put safety first, including ergonomics, as the posting stresses.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Northwestern Mutual from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Northwestern Mutual.

About the Role Working under the Chef Team Leader and Restaurant Manager, the Chef prepares food from scratch for cafeteria and catering services. Preparing a variety of menu items including soups, roasts, casseroles, sauces, vegetables, salads, sandwiches, and bakery items using scratch cooking/baking techniques (roasting, sautéing, grilling, steaming, proofing and baking), you will work to improve the quality/healthfulness of foods by researching and testing menu items that fit a wellness profile, Additionally, you will: put safety first, observing safe food handling techniques, safe ergonomic and personal safety techniques, and maintaining a clean, organized and safe work area, and operating and cleaning equipment following established safety guidelines. You will work as part of a team, supporting the menu planning/management process. This role calls for an effective communicator, able to interact with customers and servers as to menu, food preparation, etc. What You'll Do in the Role (30%) Responsible for preparing from scratch a variety of menu items for cafeteria and catering services which include, but are not limited to, soups, roasts, casseroles, sauces, vegetables, salads, sandwiches, and bakery items. Uses scratch cooking and baking techniques, which include demonstration cooking, roasting, sautéing, grilling, steaming, proofing and baking. Works to improve the quality and wellness of foods by participating in researching and testing menu items that fit a wellness profile. Prepares foods using healthy and flavor-enhancing herbs, spices and cooking techniques. Bakes fresh a variety of products using raw dough, mixes and some scratch baking. Assures proper proofing and baking methods to offer fresh breads, and other bakery as required. (25%) Practices safe food handling techniques in all areas of the job as outlined in food safety standards. Practices safe ergonomic and personal safety techniques in all aspects of work as outlined in restaurant standards, including the proper use of personal protective equipment and observance of proper body mechanics. Maintains a clean, organized and safe work area, which includes walk-in coolers, food preparation areas, stock areas, etc. Performs a variety of tasks to assure regular sanitation standards are met including sweeping, washing and polishing. Responsible for maintaining accurate and complete labeling and date marking of products to assure freshness. Maintains time and temperature records to minimize exposure of food to unsafe temperatures and minimize the risk of bacteria growth. Operates and cleans equipment following safety guidelines including use of PPEs. (20%) Supports the menu management process that includes: following recipes, provides feedback for recipe improvements, follows the ordering process as defined, assures correct portions, monitors adequate records including HACCP logs and usage reports, inventories food storage areas, and assesses leftovers. Projects the ordering needs and quantities of all foods on the menu to provide timely preparation and cost-effective menu management for upcoming meals and events. (15%) Routinely delivers on Restaurant Hospitality standards. Communicates with customers and servers through routine greeting and providing information verbally regarding the menu, preparation methods and services. Responds to any questions or concerns with the approach of immediate resolution of concerns or corrective action on matters that may be impacting the customer experience. In compliance with Restaurant Division Professional Conduct Expectations and maintains professional communication with all." (10%) In the absence of the Chef Team Leader, covers responsibilities to assure customer-focused decision-making in the continuation of food preparation, ordering, and service to the restaurant division. May adjust work location, tasks or assignments routinely throughout the day to adjust to changes in business need, customer demands, or any other business reason What You'll Bring to the Role • Associate degree or equivalent work experience with a minimum of three years of high-volume restaurant or corporate dining experience required. • Upscale culinary experience preferred. • Demonstrated ability to interpret written instructions to assure adequate outcome of quality, volume and presentation of foods. • Demonstrated knowledge of and performance in food safety production, receiving and storage practices. • High degree of personal initiative and motivation combined with a willingness to work as part of a team. • Demonstrated commitment to customer service through positive customer interaction and anticipation of needs to enhance the customer experience. • Demonstrated strong initiative and a commitment to continued culinary growth. • Must have the ability to perform the essential physical requirements of the job . #IN-POST #LI-POST Candidates must successfully complete and pass any required testing. Compensation Range: Pay Range - Start: $17.93 Pay Range - End: $26.89 Geographic Specific Pay Structure: Structure 110: Structure 115: We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more. Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now! Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.

Apply at Northwestern Mutual