Skip to content

O*NET-SOC 35-2021.00

Food Preparation Workers

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

From O*NET 30.3

Tasks

From O*NET 30.3, by importance, as O*NET OnLine lists them

Free · O*NET 30.3
  1. Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.Core18728
  2. Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.Core2204
  3. Distribute food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers.Supplemental2215
  4. Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.Core18730
  5. Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.Core2210
  6. Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.Core2208
  7. Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.Core2197
  8. Weigh or measure ingredients.Core2203
  9. Operate cash register, handle money, and give correct change.Supplemental18733
  10. Vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor.Core18734
  11. Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items.Core18732
  12. Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving.Core18731
  13. Prepare a variety of foods, such as meats, vegetables, or desserts, according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures.Core18729
  14. Distribute menus to hospital patients, collect diet sheets, and deliver food trays and snacks to nursing units or directly to patients.Supplemental2222
  15. Package take-out foods or serve food to customers.Supplemental2199
  16. Assemble meal trays with foods in accordance with patients' diets.Core21005
  17. Stock cupboards and refrigerators, and tend salad bars and buffet meals.Core2207
  18. Use manual or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice, and trim foods.Core2213
  19. Load dishes, glasses, and tableware into dishwashing machines.Core2217
  20. Portion and wrap food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons.Core2200
  21. Cut, slice or grind meat, poultry, and seafood to prepare for cooking.Supplemental2219
  22. Add cutlery, napkins, food, and other items to trays on assembly lines in hospitals, cafeterias, airline kitchens, and similar establishments.Core2220
  23. Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets.Core2201
  24. Butcher and clean fowl, fish, poultry, and shellfish to prepare for cooking or serving.Supplemental2218
  25. Prepare and serve a variety of beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks.Core2209
  26. Mix ingredients for green salads, molded fruit salads, vegetable salads, and pasta salads.Core2221
  27. Receive and store food supplies, equipment, and utensils in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas.Core2206
  28. Stir and strain soups and sauces.Core2214
  29. Keep records of the quantities of food used.Supplemental2216
  30. Make special dressings and sauces as condiments for sandwiches.Core2211
  31. Scrape leftovers from dishes into garbage containers.Core2212

Technology Skills

From O*NET 30.3, 15 examples in 5 categories, 2 Hot Technology

Free · O*NET 30.3

Data base user interface and query software

  • 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
  • Recipe software
  • ValuSoft MasterCook

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft ExcelHot Technology

Office suite software

  • Microsoft Office softwareHot Technology

Computer based training software

  • Quizlet

Video creation and editing software

  • YouTube

Detailed Work Activities

From O*NET 30.3, under their work activities; open one for the AI skills Workforce Automation maps to it

Free · O*NET 30.3

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

  • Assess equipment functioning.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

  • Measure ingredients.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Performing General Physical Activities

  • Mix ingredients.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Clean food preparation areas, facilities, or equipment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Clean food service areas.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Remove trash.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Clean tableware.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Move equipment, supplies or food to required locations.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Serve food or beverages.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Handling and Moving Objects

  • Store supplies or goods in kitchens or storage areas.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Stock serving stations or dining areas with food or supplies.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Package food or supplies.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Cut cooked or raw foods.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Prepare foods for cooking or serving.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Assist chefs or caterers with food or drink preparation.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Prepare hot or cold beverages.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Cook foods.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Arrange food for serving.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Documenting/Recording Information

  • Record operational or production data.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

  • Report information to managers or other personnel.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Communicating with People Outside the Organization

  • Present food or beverage information or menus to customers.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Performing Administrative Activities

  • Operate cash registers.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Process customer bills or payments.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Monitoring and Controlling Resources

  • Distribute resources to patrons or employees.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Job Zone

From O*NET 30.3

Free · O*NET 30.3

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Workforce Automation analysis, not part of the source

WFA coverage: AI skills for this job

WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

Pilot mapping: these skill links come from our seed list and haven’t been reviewed yet. Expect them to change as each one is checked.

DWAs covered by an AI skill0 of 24
Distinct tools0
Level mix
  • No tools yet

Equivalents

NICE work roles, with their DCWF equivalents

Mapped to this job by the ETO-CSET NICE/O*NET crosswalk (2024); roles from NICE Framework Components v2.2.0, DCWF equivalents from DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

Free · NICE Framework Components v2.2.0 and DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

No NICE work role maps to this job.