Food Preparation Workers

Food Preparation Workers typically perform the following tasks: • Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware. • Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items. • Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers. • Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas. • Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers. • Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage. • Weigh or measure ingredients. • Vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor. • Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items. • Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving. • Prepare a variety of foods, such as meats, vegetables, or desserts, according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures. • Assemble meal trays with foods in accordance with patients' diets. • Stock cupboards and refrigerators, and tend salad bars and buffet meals. • Use manual or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice, and trim foods. • Load dishes, glasses, and tableware into dishwashing machines. • Portion and wrap food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons. • Add cutlery, napkins, food, and other items to trays on assembly lines in hospitals, cafeterias, airline kitchens, and similar establishments. • Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets. • Prepare and serve a variety of beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks. • Mix ingredients for green salads, molded fruit salads, vegetable salads, and pasta salads.