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Food Preparation Workers - 35-2021.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Deli Clerk (Delicatessen Clerk)
  • Diet Aide
  • Dietary Aide
  • Dietary Assistant
  • Food Prep (Food Preparer)
  • Food Service Aide
  • Food Service Worker
  • Nutrition Aide
  • Pantry Cook
  • Slicer

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Add cutlery, napkins, food, and other items to trays on assembly lines in hospitals, cafeterias, airline kitchens, and similar establishments.
  • Assemble meal trays with foods in accordance with patients' diets.
  • Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
  • Butcher and clean fowl, fish, poultry, and shellfish to prepare for cooking or serving.
  • Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
  • Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
  • Cut, slice or grind meat, poultry, and seafood to prepare for cooking.
  • Distribute food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers.
  • Distribute menus to hospital patients, collect diet sheets, and deliver food trays and snacks to nursing units or directly to patients.
  • Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items.
  • Keep records of the quantities of food used.
  • Load dishes, glasses, and tableware into dishwashing machines.
  • Make special dressings and sauces as condiments for sandwiches.
  • Mix ingredients for green salads, molded fruit salads, vegetable salads, and pasta salads.
  • Operate cash register, handle money, and give correct change.
  • Package take-out foods or serve food to customers.
  • Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets.
  • Portion and wrap food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons.
  • Prepare a variety of foods, such as meats, vegetables, or desserts, according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures.
  • Prepare and serve a variety of beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
  • Receive and store food supplies, equipment, and utensils in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas.
  • Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
  • Scrape leftovers from dishes into garbage containers.
  • Stir and strain soups and sauces.
  • Stock cupboards and refrigerators, and tend salad bars and buffet meals.
  • Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
  • Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.
  • Use manual or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice, and trim foods.
  • Vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor.
  • Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving.
  • Weigh or measure ingredients.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Arrange food for serving.
  • Assess equipment functioning.
  • Assist chefs or caterers with food or drink preparation.
  • Clean food preparation areas, facilities, or equipment.
  • Clean food service areas.
  • Clean tableware.
  • Cook foods.
  • Cut cooked or raw foods.
  • Distribute resources to patrons or employees.
  • Measure ingredients.
  • Mix ingredients.
  • Move equipment, supplies or food to required locations.
  • Operate cash registers.
  • Package food or supplies.
  • Prepare foods for cooking or serving.
  • Prepare hot or cold beverages.
  • Present food or beverage information or menus to customers.
  • Process customer bills or payments.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Remove trash.
  • Report information to managers or other personnel.
  • Serve food or beverages.
  • Stock serving stations or dining areas with food or supplies.
  • Store supplies or goods in kitchens or storage areas.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Basic Food Service Marine (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Conversion NEC CS Culinary Specialist Basic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Conversion NEC CSS Culinary Specialist (Submarines) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Culinary Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Culinary Specialist (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Culinary Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Culinary Specialist (Submarine) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • CWO - Food Service (Navy - Warrant Officer only)
  • Diet Therapy (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Diet Therapy Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Diet Therapy Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Diet Therapy Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Diet Therapy Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Diet Therapy Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dietitian (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Food Service Specialist (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Food Service Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Food Service Technician (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Leading Culinary Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Marine Aide (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Medical Specialist Corps Officer (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Mess Management Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Public Quarters Enlisted Aide Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Services (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Services Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Services Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Services Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Services Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Services Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Services Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Submarine Culinary Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Submarine Leading Culinary Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Baker Helper
  • Butcher, Chicken and Fish
  • Carver
  • Caterer Helper
  • Coffee Maker
  • Cook Helper
  • Cook Helper, Pastry
  • Deli Cutter-Slicer
  • Food Assembler, Kitchen
  • Pantry Goods Maker
  • Raw Shellfish Preparer
  • Salad Maker
  • Sandwich Maker