Food Preparation Workers
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.
Food preparation workers perform routine tasks under the direction of cooks, chefs or food service managers to assist foodservice prep. They assist in preparing ingredients or recipes, among other food work. Foodservice prep work is needed in restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, bakeries, hospitals, schools, universities and prisons.
Food preparation workers' job description includes sanitizing the work area, storing food, preparing service plates, recording food temperatures, packaging take-out food, stocking cupboards and refrigerators, cutting or grinding meat, removing trash, measuring ingredients, assembling cutleries, coordinating with other staff and keeping records. They may wait tables, do dishwashing or operate cash registers as per job roles.
To work in foodservice prep, one doesn’t necessarily need educational qualifications. It is important to have experience in kitchen and food work or food production. One should have strong fundamentals in food preparation and knowledge of recipes, food allergies, foodborne illnesses, and cutleries and knives.
Food preparation jobs are easily found across the food and beverage and the hospitality industry. One may work in industrial settings like factories or airline food service prep and earn a decent food preparation worker's salary.
To be a successful food preparation worker, one should have coordination, communication, social perceptiveness, service orientation, and attention to detail skills.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- Diploma Food and Beverage Service
- Diploma Food Production
- Certificate Food Production
- Certificate Food and Beverage Service
Tasks
- Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
- Package take-out foods or serve food to customers.
- Portion and wrap the 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.
Progression Routes
READY FOR MORE?
Subscribe to our Premium package and you'll unlock a wealth of extra information about your favourite careers and gain access our library of immersive 360° VR careers experience.
As a Premium user you'll find out more about the day-to-day demands of any career, what you could earn and, importantly, receive expert advice on study routes, preparation expenses, and where & what to study to fulfil your potential.