Cooks, Restaurant
Did You Know:*
- Many cooks and food preparation workers are young – 35 percent are below the age of 24.
- One-third of these workers are employed part-time.
- Job openings are expected to be plentiful because many of these workers will leave the occupation for full-time employment or better wages.
Industry Areas
- Full-Service Restaurants
- Traveler Accommodation
- Limited-Service Eating Places
Day-to-Day Tasks*
- Inspect and clean food preparation areas, such as equipment and work surfaces, or serving areas to ensure safe and sanitary food-handling practices.
- Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.
- Ensure freshness of food and ingredients by checking for quality, keeping track of old and new items, and rotating stock.
Overall Kind of Work*
Cooks and food preparation workers prepare, season and cook a wide range of foods-from soups, snacks and salads to entrees, side dishes and desserts. They work in a variety of restaurants, as well...
Work Environment*
Civilian
Many restaurant and institutional kitchens have modern equipment, convenient work areas and air conditioning, but kitchens in older and smaller eating places are often not as well-designed. Kitche...
Workweek Breakdown
The hours worked per week by people currently pursuing this career.
- 16.23% (0-20 Hours)
- 21.45% (21-34 Hours)
- 14.46% (35-39 Hours)
- 40.54% (40 Hours)
- 2.65% (41-49 Hours)
- 4.68% (Over 50 Hours)
This data also pertains to Cooks (35-2010)
Type of Work
The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.
Data: 
People:
Things: 
Skills at a Glance
The levels of different skills helpful in this career.
Verbal skills:
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:
Equipment Operation & Maintenance:
Math & Science Skills:
Technology Design & Control:
Leadership:
Workplace at a Glance
The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.
Responsibility:
Exposure to Job Hazards:
Physical Activity: 
Decision Making:
Repetitiveness:
Level of Competition:
Time Pressure:
Business Breakdown
The different sectors people in this career currently work in.
- 85.09% (Private For-Profit)
- 4.30% (Private Not For-Profit)
- 7.47% (State and Local Govt)
- 1.03% (Federal Government)
- 2.11% (Self-Employed)
This data also pertains to Cooks