A great day at work looks like happy people enjoying eating good food.
CAREER
Food Preparation Workers
Overview
Salary Median (2023)
$32,420
Projected Job Growth (2023-2033)
+2.2% (slower than the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Food Preparation Workers Do
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
Other Job Titles Food Preparation Workers May Have
Cook, Cook Aide, Deli Clerk (Delicatessen Clerk), Diet Aide, Dietary Aide, Food Prep (Food Preparer), Food Service Aide, Food Service Worker (FSW), Line Cook, Nutrition Aide
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Depending on the day, sometimes my site can be calm or can be going crazy. But I will put my bag down put my apron on and wash my hands while looking at the daily assignment set for me. IF its an easy day I can take my time getting settled, and into a grove and make sure everything is ready for me for the night. IF the store is going nuts, I am rushed to get where I am needed, and will often move and shift around the store doing everything I can to just get us caught up, and settled down.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
- Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
- Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.
- Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
- Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Food Preparation Workers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: High school diploma or equivalent
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Suggested Path
High School
Regular/General High School/Secondary Diploma Program
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
You need a foodhandler's permit, and good people skills.
Learning How to deal with Customers, and their attitudes is hard, and I found that I learned a lot on how to deal with the worst customers by reading books on psychology, and the human emotions, and how to deal with each one. Being able to stay calm is a must, and learning to put that fake face on for them to make them happy and just get them to move on is hard but when dealing with customers who are hungry, impatient, and angry, it helps the most. You can always vent later.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
It's not an occupation, really. Most people use it as a job to get them through college. Some do stay, though, and those that I've seen do that have enjoyed it.
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 29.2 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
