What You'll Do

  • Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
  • Package take-out foods or serve food to customers.
  • Portion and wrap food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons.
  • Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets.
  • Weigh or measure ingredients.
  • Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
  • Receive and store food supplies, equipment, and utensils in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas.
  • Stock cupboards and refrigerators, and tend salad bars and buffet meals.
  • Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
  • Prepare and serve a variety of beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 3.0/5
Service Orientation 3.0/5
Time Management 3.0/5
Speaking 2.88/5
Coordination 2.88/5
Critical Thinking 2.75/5
Reading Comprehension 2.62/5
Social Perceptiveness 2.62/5
Monitoring 2.5/5
Judgment and Decision Making 2.38/5
Quality Control Analysis 2.12/5
Mathematics 2.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Self-Control, Independence, Initiative

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 3.0/5
Trunk Strength 3.0/5
Near Vision 3.0/5
Oral Expression 2.88/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 2.88/5
Manual Dexterity 2.88/5
Finger Dexterity 2.88/5
Speech Recognition 2.88/5

Technologies & Tools

Barrington Software CookenPro Commercial CBORD Foodservice Suite CBORD NetRecipe Culinary Software Services ChefTec EGS CALCMENU iPro Master Cook Deluxe Professional Cook Mealmaster Cookbook Wizard MicroBlast Recipe Wizard for Windows Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Quizlet Recipe software ValuSoft MasterCook YouTube

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.1/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 3.96/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 3.81/5)
  • Independence (High importance: 3.75/5)
  • Initiative (High importance: 3.73/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Cafeteria Aide Carver Caterer Caterer Helper Catering Assistant Chicken and Fish Butcher Coffee Brewer Coffee Maker Cold Meat Cook Cook Cook Aide Crew Mess Attendant Culinary Worker Deli Clerk (Delicatessen Clerk) Deli Slicer (Delicatessen Slicer) Diet Aide Dietary Aide Dishwasher Expo (Expeditor) Food Expeditor (Food Expo) Food Handler Food Order Expediter (Food Order Expo) Food Prep (Food Preparer) Food Preparation Kitchen Aide (Food Prep Kitchen Aide) Food Preparation Worker (Food Prep Worker) Food Server Food Service Aide Food Service Specialist Food Service Worker (FSW) Food Tray Assembler Fruit and Vegetable Parer Kitchen Assistant Kitchen Clerk Kitchen Crew Kitchen Crew Member Kitchen Food Assembler Kitchen Helper Kitchen Runner Kitchen Staff Kitchen Steward Kitchen Team Crew Member Kitchen Team Member Kitchen Utility Associate Kitchen Utility Worker Kitchen Worker Line Cook Line Server Meat Clerk Mess Attendant Nutrition Aide Nutrition Helper Pantry Cook Pantry Goods Maker Pantry Goods Worker Pantry Worker Parer Pastry Cook Helper Peeler Pie Cutter Pizza Maker Prepared Foods Team Member Produce Production Team Member Raw Shellfish Preparer Restaurant Crew Member Restaurant Team Member Restaurant Worker Salad Bar Clerk Salad Maker Sandwich Artist Sandwich Maker Seafood Preparer Slicer Steward