Hogsalt Interview Questions
& Process

I applied on Culinary Agents and then it sent me to another site to upload my resume and answer a few questions. After that, I got an email to schedule a video interview. It took a few days to get that set up, and then about a week to find out about a second interview.

I applied online and then had a quick phone screen a few days later. After that, I was invited for an in-person interview that I felt went pretty well. However, I never heard back from them. It would have been nice to get an update since they took the time to interview me in person. But on the plus side, the person who did the phone screen (who is the current Payroll Manager) was very nice.

They have open calls regularly. The wait time was short and the interview even shorter. You are interviewed by those in higher positions who float throughout all of the Hogsalt restaurants. They are eager to answer questions and very friendly. Should you seem like a good fit, you interview again with the operating partner of the restaurant chosen. The next and final step is a stage, where you get to engage with what could be your everyday on the job. Ask as many questions as possible; if you make a good impression and appear cable, you're in. Their standards are a little rigorous so definitely express concerns and talk about what you're getting yourself into. Even after training, there's definitely a learning curve.

I spoke with two Hogsalt associates on the phone, one a Lead Designer and the other in Operations. They mentioned that this role is new and that design work was previously contracted out. They also told me about a required relocation to Chicago within 6 months, which wasn't in the job ad. I completed a design test, after which the CEO contacted me directly via text to schedule a call. During the call, he reiterated the relocation requirement. I expressed uncertainty about relocating immediately but was open to it if remote work went well. After another text exchange, I received a job offer. The offer letter didn't include details about building a team or my remote work needs (co-working space, software), but it did state I'd be available by cell and travel to Chicago as needed. I paused on the offer to meet the two associates for dinner in New York. This was a long, intense interview, focused heavily on team building and hiring. I had many questions about their current design process, timelines, budgets, and approval processes, but their responses and overall demeanor made me uneasy. They seemed unsure about the role's needs, suggesting they might need more support staff. I declined the offer via email. The CEO texted me, wanting to discuss why I declined. I explained the role's ambiguity and my discomfort with defining it remotely, given the impending relocation. He then invited me to their Chicago HQ. I flew to Chicago, taking paid time off from my current job. On the first day, the associates and I toured restaurants, ending at Bavettes where I met the CEO in person. He was distracted and asked repetitive questions about why I'd work for them and my plans for the team, even asking an associate about other candidates in my presence. Day two involved a private brunch with the CEO, who remained distant and evasive, asking the same questions. I felt I was almost begging for the job I had already turned down. Day three I worked at HQ, meeting junior design staff and sketching for hours. Before my flight, the CEO, the associates, and I had a meeting where we reviewed the same questions. The CEO then introduced a new condition: commuting to Chicago once a week, which I couldn't commit to due to my mother's disability. This was a private matter that I felt pressured to disclose. The CEO instructed the associates to finalize my offer letter. Two days later, I received an email stating they needed more time to consider the position and would be in touch. It's been over a week with no further contact.