Food Preparation Workers :: Job Description

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Food Preparation Workers

Careers / Food Preparation Workers

Summary Description


	Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Assistant Cook

2.	Baker

3.	Baker Helper

4.	Bakery Helper

5.	Cafeteria Aide

6.	Cafeteria Worker

7.	Cartperson

8.	Carver

9.	Caterer Helper

10.	Catering Assistant

11.	Chicken and Fish Butcher

12.	Coffee Brewer

13.	Coffee Maker

14.	Cold Meat Cook

15.	Cook

16.	Cook Helper

17.	Cook's Helper

18.	Crew Mess Attendant

19.	Culinary Worker

20.	Deli Clerk

21.	Deli Clerk (Delicatessen Clerk)

22.	Deli Slicer

23.	Delicatessen Cutter Slicer

24.	Diet Aide

25.	Diet Kitchen Worker

26.	Dietary Aide

27.	Dietary Assistant

28.	Dietary Cook

29.	Dietary Patient Aide

30.	Expeditor

31.	Food Assembler, Kitchen

32.	Food Handler

33.	Food Order Expediter

34.	Food Preparation Kitchen Aide

35.	Food Preparation Worker

36.	Food Preparer

37.	Food Server

38.	Food Service Aide

39.	Food Service Specialist

40.	Food Service Utility Worker

41.	Food Service Worker

42.	Food Tray Assembler

43.	Fruit and Vegetable Parer

44.	Hospital Tray Aide

45.	Kitchen Assistant

46.	Kitchen Hand

47.	Kitchen Helper

48.	Kitchen Runner

49.	Kitchen Worker

50.	Line Cook

51.	Line Server

52.	Lineman

53.	Meat Clerk

54.	Mess Attendant

55.	Nutrition Aide

56.	Nutrition Helper

57.	Nutritional Services Aide

58.	Pantry Cook

59.	Pantry Goods Maker

60.	Pantry Goods Worker

61.	Pantry Worker

62.	Parer

63.	Pastry Cook Helper

64.	Peeler

65.	Pie Cutter

66.	Prep Cook

67.	Prep Cook (Preparation Cook)

68.	Raw Shellfish Preparer

69.	Restaurant Worker

70.	Salad Maker

71.	Sandwich Artist

72.	Sandwich Maker

73.	Seafood Preparer

74.	Slicer

Job Tasks

	Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.

	Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.

	Butcher and clean fowl, fish, poultry, and shellfish to prepare for cooking or serving.

	Prepare a variety of foods, such as meats, vegetables, desserts, according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures.

	Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas such as refrigerators and freezers.

	Keep records of the quantities of food used.

	Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving.

	Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets.

	Portion and wrap the food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons.

	Weigh or measure ingredients.

	Mix ingredients for green salads, molded fruit salads, vegetable salads, and pasta salads.

	Load dishes, glasses, and tableware into dishwashing machines.

	Receive and store food supplies, equipment, and utensils in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas.

	Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.

	Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.

	Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.

	Distribute food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers.

	Operate cash register, handle money, and give correct change.

	Cut, slice or grind meat, poultry, and seafood to prepare for cooking.

	Distribute menus to hospital patients, collect diet sheets, and deliver food trays and snacks to nursing units or directly to patients.

	Use manual or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice, and trim foods.

	Stock cupboards and refrigerators, and tend salad bars and buffet meals.

	Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items.

	Work on assembly lines adding cutlery, napkins, food, and other items to trays in hospitals, cafeterias, airline kitchens, and similar establishments.

	Package take-out foods or serve food to customers.

	Prepare and serve a variety of beverages such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

	Make special dressings and sauces as condiments for sandwiches.

	Vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor.

	Scrape leftovers from dishes into garbage containers.

	Stir and strain soups and sauces.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.


		clean rooms or work areas

		load, unload, or stack containers, materials, or products

		deliver or obtain mail, messages, records, food or other items

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.


		use knives

		retrieve or place goods from/into storage

		wash dishes, glassware, or related utensils

		prepare appetizers, salads, or cold dishes

		carve meat or bone fish or fowl

		place food on dishes or trays or in takeout bags

		prepare beverages

		perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking

		knead, shape, cut, or roll food products by hand

		cut, trim, or clean meat, or carcasses

		distribute food to waiters or waitresses to serve to customers

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.


		understand government health, hotel or food service regulations

		stock or organize goods

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.


		follow recipes

		read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).


		operate food preparation equipment

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.


		use knowledge of food handling rules

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Cooks and Food Preparation Workers
	Cooks and food preparation workers prepare, season, and cook a wide range of foods—from soups, snacks, and salads to entrees, side dishes, and desserts. They work in a variety of restaurants, as well as other places where food is served, such as grocery stores, schools and hospitals. Cooks prepare and cook meals while food preparation workers assist cooks by performing tasks, such as peeling and cutting vegetables, trimming meat, preparing poultry, and keeping work areas clean and monitoring temperatures of ovens and stovetops.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Cooks and Food Preparation Workers
	Many restaurant and institutional kitchens have modern equipment, convenient work areas, and air conditioning, but kitchens in older and smaller eating places are often not as well designed. Kitchen staffs invariably work in small quarters against hot stoves and ovens. They are under constant pressure to prepare meals quickly, while ensuring quality is maintained and safety and sanitation guidelines are observed. Because the pace can be hectic during peak dining times, workers must be able to communicate clearly so that food orders are completed correctly.

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Interesting Fact

Meg Ryan once worked as a journalist.

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