Cooks

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Read food order slips or receive verbal instructions as to food required by patron, and prepare and cook food according to instructions.94
• Maintain sanitation, health, and safety standards in work areas.93
• Clean food preparation areas, cooking surfaces, and utensils.92
• Operate large-volume cooking equipment, such as grills, deep-fat fryers, or griddles.91
• Take food and drink orders and receive payment from customers.91
• Cook the exact number of items ordered by each customer, working on several different orders simultaneously.90
• Prepare specialty foods, such as pizzas, fish and chips, sandwiches, or tacos, following specific methods that usually require short preparation time.90
• Verify that prepared food meets requirements for quality and quantity.90
• Serve orders to customers at windows, counters, or tables.89
• Prepare and serve beverages, such as coffee or fountain drinks.89
• Wash, cut, and prepare foods designated for cooking.88
• Clean, stock, and restock workstations and display cases.86

Developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge.

• Service Orientation53

  Actively looking for ways to help people.

• Active Listening50

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Speaking47

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Coordination44

  Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Reading Comprehension44

  Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

• Critical Thinking41

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Monitoring41

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Social Perceptiveness38

  Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

• Time Management38

  Managing one's own time and the time of others.

• Judgment and Decision Making35

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Operations Monitoring31

  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Persuasion28

  Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Organized sets of principles and facts that apply in general domains.

• Food Production70

  Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

• Customer and Personal Service67

  Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

• English Language58

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

• Production and Processing48

  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• Administration and Management38

  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• Mathematics36

  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

• Personnel and Human Resources34

  Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

• Transportation34

  Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

• Education and Training33

  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

• Public Safety and Security30

  Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

• Sales and Marketing27

  Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

• Communications and Media23

  Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.

• Oral Comprehension60

  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Near Vision56

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Arm-Hand Steadiness50

  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

• Information Ordering50

  The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

• Manual Dexterity50

  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Oral Expression50

  The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• Selective Attention50

  The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

• Speech Clarity50

  The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

• Speech Recognition50

  The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

• Time Sharing50

  The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).

• Deductive Reasoning47

  The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

• Written Comprehension47

  The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates71

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings70

  Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

• Getting Information69

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

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events65

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

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems65

  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials62

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

• Handling and Moving Objects61

  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

• Processing Information61

  Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards59

  Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

• Performing General Physical Activities56

  Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge56

  Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

• Controlling Machines and Processes54

  Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job.

• Dependability69

  A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

• Attention to Detail46

  A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

• Stress Tolerance43

  A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

• Cooperation38

  A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

• Self-Control35

  A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

• Optimism33

  A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even under difficult circumstances.

• Perseverance26

  A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

• Integrity23

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Achievement Orientation18

  A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

• Cautiousness18

  A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

• Adaptability16

  A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.

• Social Orientation12

  A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.

Holland's six occupational interest types (RIASEC) this work tends to attract.

• Realistic89

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Conventional55

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Enterprising39

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

• Social24

  Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

• Artistic14

  Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

• Investigative6

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.

• Spend Time Standing

  • Continually or almost continually100%

• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

  • Continually or almost continually67%
  • More than half the time18%
  • About half the time15%

• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

  • Every day83%
  • Never15%

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

  • Every day69%
  • Once a year or more but not every month17%

• Contact With Others

  • Constant contact with others58%
  • Contact with others most of the time17%
  • Contact with others about half the time11%
  • Occasional contact with others11%

• Physical Proximity

  • Very close (near touching)48%
  • Moderately close (at arm's length)31%
  • I work with others but not closely (e.g., private office)13%

• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

  • Extremely important47%
  • Very important27%
  • Important20%

• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

  • Continually or almost continually39%
  • More than half the time41%
  • About half the time12%

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

  • Extremely important32%
  • Very important41%
  • Important27%

• Spend Time Walking or Running

  • Continually or almost continually35%
  • More than half the time40%
  • About half the time13%
  • Never12%

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

  • Every day65%
  • Never27%

• Health and Safety of Other Workers

  • Very high responsibility41%
  • High responsibility15%
  • Moderate responsibility16%
  • Limited responsibility21%

Education levels O*NET survey respondents in this occupation most often reported having.

• Less than high school diploma
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Some college, no degree

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Spreadsheet software

  Microsoft Excel

• Point of sale POS software

  Aldelo Systems Aldelo for Restaurants Pro, Foodman Home-Delivery, Plexis Software Plexis POS, RestaurantPlus PRO

• Electronic mail software

  Microsoft Outlook

• Word processing software

  Microsoft Word

Organizations related to this occupation, such as industry and licensing bodies.

• American Personal and Private Chef Association
• National Restaurant Association
• American Culinary Federation

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

• Food Preparation Workers
• Bakers
• Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
• Butchers and Other Meat, Poultry, and Fish Processing Workers
• Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
• Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
• Food Batchmakers
• Chefs and Head Cooks
• Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
• Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
• Dishwashers
• Miscellaneous food preparation and serving related workers, including dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
• Food Service Managers
• Waiters and Waitresses
• Butchers and Other Meat, Poultry, and Fish Processing Workers
• Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• Cook foods.
• Clean food preparation areas, facilities, or equipment.
• Process customer bills or payments.
• Take customer orders.
• Check quality of foods or supplies.
• Serve food or beverages.
• Prepare hot or cold beverages.
• Prepare foods for cooking or serving.
• Stock serving stations or dining areas with food or supplies.
• Measure ingredients.
• Prepare breads or doughs.
• Dispose of trash or waste materials.

Registered apprenticeship program titles associated with this occupation.

• Baker, Pizza (Hotel & Restaurant)