Culinary Careers: Chef, Cook, Food Preparation Worker

Job Description of Chefs, Cooks and Food Preparation Workers: Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers are employed in restaurants and other food services establishments. They prepare, season, and cook a variety of foods.

Employment Facts for Chefs, Cooks and Food Preparation Workers: Chefs, cooks and food preparation workers held over three million jobs in 2006.

Educational Requirements for Chefs, Cooks and Food Preparation Workers: Generally fast-food or short-order cooks and food preparation workers do not need much education or training as their skills are learned on the job. Those who want to work as a cook or chef can take courses in high school or through vocational school programs. In order to work as a head cook or executive chef, one must complete a formal training program.

Other Requirements for Chefs, Cooks and Food Preparation Workers: Most formal training programs require that students complete an internship or apprenticeship.

Advancement Opportunities for Chefs, Cooks and Food Preparation Workers: Food preparation workers with strong skills and experience may move into assistant or line cook positions. Experienced and ambitious chefs and cooks may move up within the kitchen and take on responsibility for training or supervising newer or lesser skilled kitchen staff. One's advancement opportunities depend on his or her training, experience and ability.

Job Outlook for Chefs, Cooks and Food Preparation Workers: Those who want to work as cooks, chefs and food preparation workers should generally be able to find jobs over the next several years. Projected employment growth for chefs, cooks and food preparation workers varies from as fast as the average for all occupations to faster than average for all occupations through 2016. The outlook is best for food preparation workers. If you want to be a short order cook, though, be aware of the fact that projected employment growth is slower than average for all occupations. If you aspire to work in the kitchen of a higher end restaurant, competition will be tough.

Earnings of Chefs, Cooks and Food Preparation Workers: Earnings vary depending on where and in what type of establishment one works. Median annual wages of chefs and head cooks were $34,370 in May of 2006, while the median earnings of restaurant cooks was $20,340. Food preparation workers earned a median annual salary of $17,410.

Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers currently earn in your city.

A Day in a Chef's, Cook's or Food Preparation Worker's Life:

On a typical day a chef or cook will:

• create recipes;
• measure, mix, and cook ingredients according to recipes;
• direct the work of other kitchen workers;
• estimate food requirements;
• order food supplies;

On a typical day a food preparation worker will:

• peel and cut vegetables, trim meat and prepare poultry;
• keep work areas clean;
• monitor temperatures of ovens and stovetops;

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Chefs, Cooks, and Food Preparation Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos161.htm (visited March 4, 2008).