Food Preparation Workers & Baristas
Work Activities
Clean, cut, or peel various foods to prepare for cooking or serving.
Weigh or measure ingredients.
Prepare foods according to customers' or supervisors' orders.
Arrange food on serving dishes or in take-out containers.
Give food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers.
Prepare and serve beverages.
Help cooks and other kitchen staff with various tasks.
Store food properly to prevent it from spoiling.
Clean work areas and maintain equipment.
Load and run dishwashing machines.
Keep refrigerators, buffet tables, and salad bars stocked.
Organize and put away food supplies and equipment in their proper places.
Keep records of how much food has been used.
May order and distribute supplies.
Judge the value of objects, services, or people
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Handle and move objects
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
Establish and maintain relationships
Evaluate information against standards
Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
Get information needed to do the job
Coordinate the work and activities of others
Identify objects, actions, and events
Perform for or work with the public
Update and use job-related knowledge
Teach others
Perform activities that use the whole body
Coach others
Make decisions and solve problems
Schedule work and activities
Develop and build teams
Process information
Think creatively
Assist and care for others
Organize, plan, and prioritize work
Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
Provide advice and consultation to others
Working Conditions
Interpersonal Relationships
Have a medium level of social contact. They work with customers and other staff, but also spend time alone preparing food.
Communicate daily with supervisors and coworkers in person. Communicate less often by telephone, usually a few times per week.
Are responsible for the health and safety of customers.
Are somewhat responsible for the work of other workers.
May occasionally deal with angry or discourteous customers.
Almost always work in a group or as part of a team.
Physical Work Conditions
Nearly always work indoors.
Wear protective gear, such as gloves and hair nets, on a weekly basis.
Work within a few feet of other workers. They usually share the same kitchen or prep room.
Occasionally experience minor cuts or scrapes.
Work Performance
Must be very exact in their work to prevent safety hazards.
Repeat the same motions.
Make most decisions without consulting a supervisor. This is because tasks vary little from day to day.
Can set some of their tasks and goals for the day, but usually receive instructions from a supervisor first. Menus often change, so workers must prep different food items.
Abide by deadlines on a daily basis.
Hours/Travel
Usually work about 40 hours per week. Some work part time.
Hours may include early mornings, late evenings, holidays, and weekends.
Generally work a set schedule.
Physical Demands
Food preparation workers frequently:
Stand for long periods of time.
Walk or run for long periods of time.
Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Repeat the same movements.
Bend or twist their body.
It is important for food preparation workers to be able to:
See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
Understand the speech of another person.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
It is not as important, but still necessary, for food preparation workers to be able to:
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
Determine the distance between objects.
Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
Move arms and legs quickly.
Skills and Abilities
Communicate
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Listen to others and ask questions.
Reason and Problem Solve
Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Manage Oneself, People, Time, and Things
Manage the time of self and others.
Work with People
Be aware of others’ reactions and understand the possible causes.
Look for ways to help people.
Change behavior in relation to others’ actions.
Knowledge
Food preparation workers need knowledge in the following areas:
Customer and Personal Service: Providing special services to customers based on their needs.
Administration and Management: How to run a business or group.
Interests and Values
Interests
Food preparation workers typically have the following interests:
Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like to work with plants, animals, and physical materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They often prefer to work outside.
Have conventional interests. They like work activities that follow set procedures, routines, and standards. They like to work with data and detail. They prefer working where there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Values
Food preparation workers typically have the following work values:
Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
Consider support from their employer important. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up. They prefer jobs where they are trained well.