Food Preparation Workers clean work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, and silverware. They store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage. Prepare a variety of foods according to customers’ orders or supervisors’ instructions, following approved procedures.Package take-out foods and/or serve food to customers. Portion and wrap the food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons.

Food Preparation Job Descriptions

Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets. Inform supervisors when supplies are getting low or equipment is not working properly. Weigh or measure ingredients. Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items. Wash, peel and/or cut various foods to prepare for cooking or serving.

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. Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas. Make special dressings and sauces as condiments for sandwiches. Scrape leftovers from dishes into garbage containers. Use manual and/or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice, and trim foods. Stir and strain soups and sauces. Distribute food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers. Keep records of the quantities of food used.

Load dishes, glasses, and tableware into dishwashing machines. Butcher and clean fowl, fish, poultry, and shellfish to prepare for cooking or serving. Cut, slice and/or grind meat, poultry, and seafood to prepare for cooking. Work on assembly lines adding cutlery, napkins, food, and other items to trays in hospitals, cafeterias, airline kitchens, and similar establishments. Mix ingredients for green salads, molded fruit salads, vegetable salads, and pasta salads. Distribute menus to hospital patients, collect diet sheets, and deliver food trays and snacks to nursing units or directly to patients.

Farm workers assist in animal births, and care for newborn livestock. Breed and raise stock such as cattle, poultry, and honeybees, using recognized breeding practices to ensure continued improvement in stock. Clean and disinfect buildings and yards, and remove manure. Clean and sanitize milking equipment, storage tanks, collection cups, and cows’ udders, or ensure that procedures are followed to maintain sanitary conditions for handling of milk.

Clean, grade, and package crops for marketing. Control the spread of disease and parasites in herds, by using vaccination and medication, and by separating sick animals. Destroy diseased or superfluous crops. Determine types and quantities of crops or livestock to be raised, according to factors such as market conditions, federal program availability, and soil conditions. Evaluate product marketing alternatives, then promote and market farm products, acting as the sales agent for livestock and crops. Harvest crops, and collect specialty products such as royal jelly, wax, pollen, and honey from bee colonies.

Install and shift irrigation systems to irrigate fields evenly or according to crop need. Maintain pastures or grazing lands to ensure that animals have enough feed, employing pasture-conservation measures such as arranging rotational grazing.

Milk cows, using milking machinery. Monitor crops as they grow in order to ensure that they are growing properly and are free from diseases and contaminants. Negotiate and arrange with buyers for the sale, storage, and shipment of crops. Perform crop production duties such as planning, tilling, planting, fertilizing, cultivating, spraying, and harvesting. Plan crop activities based on factors such as crop maturity and weather conditions. Purchase and store livestock feed.

Dishwashers clean dishes, kitchen, food preparation equipment, or utensils. Clean and prepare various foods for cooking or serving. Load or unload trucks that deliver or pick up food and supplies. Receive and store supplies. Set up banquet tables.

Stock supplies such as food and utensils in serving stations, cupboards, refrigerators, and salad bars. Transfer supplies and equipment between storage and work areas, by hand or using hand trucks. Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, pots, and/or pans using dishwashers or by hand. Clean garbage cans with water or steam. Maintain kitchen work areas, equipment, and utensils in clean and orderly condition.

Place clean dishes, utensils, and cooking equipment in storage areas. Prepare and package individual place settings. Sort and remove trash, placing it in designated pickup areas. Sweep and scrub floors. You will handle and move objects using hands and arms in installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.