Food Preparation Workers

Career summary

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Food preparation workers prepare foods for cooking by:

• Cleaning
• Cutting
• Measuring
• Peeling
• Weighing

Food preparation workers prep food according to a supervisor's instructions. In some cases menus change daily, so the food that needs to be prepared varies greatly. Workers who are employed by large cafeterias or restaurants may work in an assembly line.

Food preparation workers prepare food and arrange it on serving dishes or in containers. They distribute food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers. They also prepare and serve a variety of beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks. They may help cooks and chefs with tasks during busy times. They may also keep salad bars, buffet tables, salt and pepper shakers, and utensil areas filled and stocked.

Food preparation workers clean and maintain work areas and equipment. They may also order, store, and distribute food supplies, equipment, and utensils. Some may keep records of how much food was used. They keep their work areas clean and often load and run large industrial dishwashers.

Related careers

This career is part of the Hospitality and Tourism cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Bakers
• Baristas
• Bartenders
• Buspersons
• Caterers
• Chefs and Dinner Cooks
• Counter Attendants
• Fast Food Cooks
• Food Processing Workers
• Kitchen Helpers
• Meat Cutters
• Packers and Packagers
• Short-Order Cooks
• Waiters and Waitresses

Military careers

• Food Service Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to food preparation workers.

• Clean, cut, or peel various foods to prepare for cooking or serving.
• Weigh or measure ingredients.
• Prepare foods according to customers' or supervisors' orders.
• Arrange food on serving dishes or in take-out containers.
• Give food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers.
• Prepare and serve beverages.
• Help cooks and other kitchen staff with various tasks.
• Store food properly to prevent it from spoiling.
• Clean work areas and maintain equipment.
• Load and run dishwashing machines.
• Keep refrigerators, buffet tables, and salad bars stocked.
• Organize and put away food supplies and equipment in their proper places.
• Keep records of how much food has been used.
• May order and distribute supplies.

Common work activities

Food preparation workers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Handle and move objects
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Evaluate information against standards
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Get information needed to do the job
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Perform for or work with the public
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Teach others
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Coach others
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Schedule work and activities
• Develop and build teams
• Process information
• Think creatively
• Assist and care for others
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Provide advice and consultation to others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, food preparation workers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of social contact. They work with customers and other staff, but also spend time alone preparing food.
• Communicate daily with supervisors and coworkers in person. Communicate less often by telephone, usually a few times per week.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of customers.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work of other workers.
• May occasionally deal with angry or discourteous customers.
• Almost always work in a group or as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Nearly always work indoors.
• Wear protective gear, such as gloves and hair nets, on a weekly basis.
• Work within a few feet of other workers. They usually share the same kitchen or prep room.
• Occasionally experience minor cuts or scrapes.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work to prevent safety hazards.
• Repeat the same motions.
• Make most decisions without consulting a supervisor. This is because tasks vary little from day to day.
• Can set some of their tasks and goals for the day, but usually receive instructions from a supervisor first. Menus often change, so workers must prep different food items.
• Abide by deadlines on a daily basis.

Hours/travel

• Usually work about 40 hours per week. Some work part time.
• Hours may include early mornings, late evenings, holidays, and weekends.
• Generally work a set schedule.

Physical demands

Food preparation workers frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Bend or twist their body.

It is important for food preparation workers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for food preparation workers to be able to:

• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Move arms and legs quickly.

Skills and abilities

Food preparation workers need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Culinary Arts
• Food Services

Training

To work as a food preparation worker, you typically need to:

• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal training is required for food preparation workers. However, many employers prefer to hire people who have a high school diploma or equivalent.

On-the-job training

Most food preparation workers learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. Training includes:

• how to prepare food;
• cooking skills; and
• food handling techniques.

After training, another worker closely supervises your work. Training generally lasts from one week to one month.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be food service specialists. This military occupation includes food preparation workers. Training lasts nine to 14 weeks, depending on your specialty. Further training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Food and Nutrition
• Food Service

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Although many employers prefer to hire high school graduates, completion of high school is usually not required.

Employers expect food preparation workers to be able to work as part of a team. In addition, food preparation workers must have good hygiene habits. This means they must wash their hands after using the restroom and before handling foods. Most employers require workers to have a health certificate. This shows that they are free from diseases that could spread to people who eat the food they prepare.

Tips

Employers prefer applicants who are enthusiastic about the job. Vocational training at a community or technical college is helpful. Gaining experience through a part-time job is helpful. Knowledge of special diets is important for food service jobs in hospitals.

Costs to workers

Some food preparation workers may be required to join a union and pay an initiation fee and monthly dues.

Licensing/certification

Food preparation and service workers must have a food worker card. To receive a card, workers must pay a $10 fee and pass a written examination. The initial card is valid for two years. After that period, cards must be renewed every three years. With additional food safety training, workers can qualify for a five-year card. Those working in health care facilities and public schools may need hepatitis and HIV/AIDS training. This is usually supplied by the employer. Workers in public schools with regularly scheduled unsupervised access to children must have a criminal background check.

For more information on food worker cards, contact your local county health department listed in the county government section of your phone book. You may also find more information at the Washington Department of Health's Food Worker Card page. 

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Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Food Preparation Workers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. Wages also vary by the worker's level of experience and responsibility.

Full-time food preparation workers often receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Full-service restaurants
• Fast food restaurants
• Grocery stores
• Schools and colleges
• Nursing and personal care facilities

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is expected to grow about as fast as average. The need for food preparation workers will grow as people have more money to spend on dining out. Because there are more demands on their time, families are expected to go to fast food and informal restaurants more often. Reducing the demand is the trend for fast food restaurants to automate their food preparation.

There will be plenty of job openings for food preparation workers. Turnover is high due to low wages and the fact that most jobs are part time.

Other resources

Hospitality Careers Online 

National Restaurant Association 
2055 L Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
800.424.5156
202.331.5900

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation 
2055 L Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
800.424.5156

UNITE HERE 
275 - 7th Avenue, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10001
212.265.7000

Washington Hospitality Association 
510 Plum Street SE, Suite 200
Olympia, WA 98501
800.225.7166
360.956.7279

References

Career cluster

• Hospitality and Tourism

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Food Preparation Workers (35-2021.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 1 - Little or no preparation needed. No previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Baker Helper (313.684-010) 
• Butcher, Chicken and Fish (316.684-010) 
• Carver (316.661-010) 
• Caterer Helper (319.677-010) 
• Coffee Maker (317.684-010) 
• Cook Helper (317.687-010) 
• Cook Helper, Pastry (313.687-010) 
• Deli Cutter-slicer (316.684-014) 
• Food Assembler, Kitchen (319.484-010) 
• Pantry Goods Maker (317.684-014) 
• Raw Shellfish Preparer (311.674-014) 
• Salad Maker (317.384-010) 
• Sandwich Maker (317.664-010) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Realistic/Conventional/Enterprising
• Realistic/Conventional/Social

COPSystem

• Consumer Economics