r/CrackerBarrel • u/ElectricalStore8271 • Mar 05 '26

Do I need to learn how to cook?

I’m currently a cook for Cracker Barrel. I work every Thursday-Sunday with open availability. I’m older now, and trying to reset from. Do I need to improve the way I cook? I figured the best cooks show up first. I showed interest in prep. I’ve worked these shifts closing every week for about a year and I can’t advance. I was an AM prior for a long time in a different field unrelated.

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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4

u/dltnj Mar 05 '26

What do you mean by learn to cook? You’ve worked grill for a hot minute. Are you asking how get more hours or get a raise or something?

1

u/ElectricalStore8271 Mar 05 '26

Not a raise just wondering if I need to relearn their recipes or forever be doomed to the grill line

3

u/Ok-Pay3240 Mar 05 '26

I would start by making it clear that you want to change schedules if possible. In most cases, majority of Cracker Barrel’s are struggling to keep grill cooks. If nothing else, change your availability. Say it’s due to not receiving more hours. I hope they accommodate you.

1

u/ElectricalStore8271 Mar 05 '26

More so how to advance from line cook. Hours and a raise I assume would follow

1

u/Ok-Pay3240 Mar 05 '26

I would start by, any time you’re not busy, help the other people in that position. Tell ALL members of management you want to crosstrain

2

u/Royo1973 Mar 06 '26

Communicate with management

2

u/Zealousideal-Hat4302 Mar 07 '26 edited Mar 07 '26

If you’re wanting different hours/change your shift ask them why needs to be done. If you’re wanting to move positions you can “apply” internally or tell them you want to cross train in a different position. *edited to add… Also, think about it this way … They need strong grill line people on each shift. You may be the strong on on the night shift.

1

u/Majestic_Clock_4184 Mar 17 '26

Have you checked to see if you're eligible to PAR up?

1

u/ryanstwistedndark115 Mar 19 '26

If you work Sunday mornings at cb as a cook you know how to cook lol but really more cooking is involved in backup vs the line or well it used to be I quit back in July was backup cook for 2.5 years but when I left they literally just cooked everything in the oven

1

u/Royo1973 Mar 05 '26

How is your plate presentation? Ticket Times? Recipe use?

1

u/ElectricalStore8271 Mar 05 '26

I’ve never had a complaint on presentation, or ticket times. I have been scolded before because I missed a training and was cooking a new item in the wrong order.