Analogies are not infinitely applicable.

I don't ask interviewees to be able to replicate a complete algorithm in a language they don't know, but I do expect that they can implement straightforward logic and requirements in some language.

They need to follow basic standards. They need to show that they are competent programmers. They don't need to necessarily write something that will absolutely run / compile on the very first pass.

cooking creme brulee != writing code