Food Preparation Workers

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.92
• Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.91
• Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.89
• Distribute food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers.89
• Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.87
• Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.86
• Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.86
• Weigh or measure ingredients.85
• Operate cash register, handle money, and give correct change.85
• Vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor.84
• Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items.83
• Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving.83

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

• 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.

• Service Orientation50

  Actively looking for ways to help people.

• Time Management50

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

• Coordination47

  Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Speaking47

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Critical Thinking44

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

• Reading Comprehension41

  Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

• Social Perceptiveness41

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

• Monitoring38

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

• Judgment and Decision Making35

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

• Quality Control Analysis28

  Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

• Active Learning25

  Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

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

• Customer and Personal Service57

  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.

• Food Production49

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

• Production and Processing42

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

• English Language36

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

• Administration and Management34

  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.

• Education and Training20

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

• Psychology20

  Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

• Public Safety and Security19

  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.

• Administrative17

  Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

• Personnel and Human Resources17

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

• Chemistry16

  Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

• Communications and Media16

  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.

• Near Vision50

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

• Oral Comprehension50

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

• Trunk Strength50

  The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

• Arm-Hand Steadiness47

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

• Finger Dexterity47

  The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

• Manual Dexterity47

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

• Oral Expression47

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

• Speech Clarity47

  The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

• Speech Recognition47

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

• Information Ordering44

  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).

• Category Flexibility41

  The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

• Deductive Reasoning41

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

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Getting Information74

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

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems67

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

• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards65

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

• Performing General Physical Activities61

  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.

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships60

  Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates60

  Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information59

  Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates57

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

• Handling and Moving Objects56

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

• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work56

  Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings55

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

• Training and Teaching Others55

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

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

• Dependability71

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

• Attention to Detail61

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

• Cautiousness40

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

• Cooperation33

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

• Stress Tolerance32

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

• Self-Control29

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

• Integrity25

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Perseverance20

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

• Humility19

  A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.

• Optimism19

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

• Adaptability18

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

• Achievement Orientation16

  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.

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

• Realistic90

  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.

• Conventional53

  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.

• Social29

  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.

• Enterprising21

  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.

• Artistic15

  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.

• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

  • Every day88%

• Spend Time Standing

  • More than half the time36%
  • About half the time11%

• Contact With Others

  • Constant contact with others42%

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

  • Every day74%
  • Never14%

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

  • Extremely important35%
  • Very important46%
  • Important18%

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

  • Every day62%
  • Once a month or more but not every week24%

• Time Pressure

  • Every day36%

• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

  • Extremely important24%
  • Very important41%
  • Important35%

• Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

  • Extremely important17%
  • Very important31%
  • Important48%

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

  • Continually or almost continually23%
  • More than half the time34%
  • About half the time29%

• Spend Time Walking or Running

  • Continually or almost continually24%
  • More than half the time35%

• Health and Safety of Other Workers

  • Very high responsibility18%
  • High responsibility25%
  • No responsibility11%

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

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Some college, no degree
• Doctoral degree

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Spreadsheet software

  Microsoft Excel

• Computer based training software

  Quizlet

• Data base user interface and query software

  CBORD NetRecipe, Culinary Software Services ChefTec, MicroBlast Recipe Wizard for Windows, ValuSoft MasterCook

• Video creation and editing software

  YouTube

• Office suite software

  Microsoft Office software

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

• International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education
• National Restaurant Association
• American Culinary Federation
• UNITE HERE

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

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

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• Clean food preparation areas, facilities, or equipment.
• Clean tableware.
• Assist chefs or caterers with food or drink preparation.
• Assess equipment functioning.
• Distribute resources to patrons or employees.
• Move equipment, supplies or food to required locations.
• Store supplies or goods in kitchens or storage areas.
• Remove trash.
• Measure ingredients.
• Operate cash registers.
• Process customer bills or payments.
• Clean food service areas.