Food Preparation Workers
Description OES Code: 65038
Food Preparation Workers perform a variety of food preparation duties, such as preparing cold foods and maintaining and cleaning kitchen work areas, equipment, and utensils. They perform simple tasks such as preparing shellfish or slicing meat. They may also brew coffee and tea, or chocolate or prepare sandwiches. They work in places such as restaurant kitchens or delicatessens.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $6.31
25th Percentile $6.84
50th Percentile $8.05
75th Percentile $9.65

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry-Level Hourly Wage minimum
25th Percentile $6.49
50th Percentile $7.53
75th Percentile $8.61

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
Most jobs are part time for a few hours a day. Some staff work fewer than five days a week. Most full time staff get paid vacation and medical and dental insurance.

Kitchen Workers are usually given one free meal during a work shift. The work week is 35-40 hours, five days a week and can start as early as 4 a.m. Some Kitchen Workers work split shifts (8 hours in a 12-hour period). Employees may work evening, night, or rotating shifts. Work clothing is often provided.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 135,400
Projected Employment 2008 155,100
Percent Change 1998-2008 14.5%
Separations 1998-2008 80,000

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 90
Projected Employment 2006 110
Percent Change 1999-2006 22.2%
Separations 1999-2006 20

Employment Trends by California County

Working Conditions
Kitchen Workers may work alone or with others, depending on the job duties. Most of them work indoors in well-lit areas with good fresh air, but some older eating places may not have modern air-conditioning and roomy work spaces. Some of the work is hot and humid, like when washing dishes, pots, or pans. Sometimes work is done outside, like when unloading food from trucks or taking out garbage. Kitchen Workers do a lot of standing and walking, often on wet floors that can be slippery. They may have to carry heavy kettles and pots, lift cartons of food, and move garbage cans. Workers should be able to work for hours under pressure and stress in crowded areas, around hot stoves and burners and on wet floors.

Advancement
Food Preparation/Kitchen Workers promote to more responsible jobs such as making sandwiches or working in the pantry. Their chances for better jobs are improved as they get experience and prove that they are reliable and want to learn.

Employers look for workers who work well as part of a team. A kitchen worker with ambition, ability, drive, and a good sense of smell and taste can get to be a short-order cook, fry cook, pantry cook, dinner cook, and, finally, a chef.

Getting the Job & Other Information
Almost all employers recruit for this position through in-house promotions or transfers. Most also use employee referrals and newspaper ads.

For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Dependability, good health, and high standards of cleanliness are a must. No training is needed to go into this work, but for those who want to go above the lowest level, a high-school education is preferred. Workers who handle food have to have a Food Handler's Certificate from the County Health Department.

Employers report that most recent new hires had a high school diploma or the equivalent. Many employers indicate that sometimes work experience is required, but training is usually accepted as a substitute.

Skills & Other Requirements
Knowledge of food preparation is usually a pre-requisite. In terms of physical abilities, employees should have the ability to lift at least 30 lbs., have the ability to taste & smell and have good hand-eye coordination.

Personal skills include having the willingness to work part time or on-call; the ability to work rapidly, good customer service skills/public contact skill and attention to detail. The ability to work under pressure, a willingness to work with close supervision is important in addition to the ability to work independently.

Some basic skills include the ability to meet employer standards of cleanliness; the ability to meet employer grooming standards, the ability to read & follow instructions, the ability to follow oral instructions, the ability to interact well with others and also basic math skills.

Some employers use drug tests and police record checks to screen applicants for this position. Many employers require their employees in this occupation to undergo a medical examination after they are hired.

References
California Occupational Guide: #331

Related Occupation: Cooks & Chefs, Cooks, Short Order & Fast Food

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)