Fast food cooks prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of the cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment. Maintain sanitation, health, and safety standards in work areas. Clean food preparation areas, cooking surfaces, and utensils. Operate large-volume cooking equipment such as grills, deep-fat fryers, or griddles. Verify that prepared food meets requirements for quality and quantity. Take food and drink orders and receive payment from customers. Read food order slips or receive verbal instructions as to food required by patron, and prepare and cook food according to instructions. Wash, cut, and prepare foods designated for cooking. Measure ingredients required for specific food items being prepared.

Cook and package batches of food, such as hamburgers and fried chicken, which are prepared to order or kept warm until sold. Cook the exact number of items ordered by each customer, working on several different orders simultaneously. Serve orders to customers at windows, counters, or tables. Clean, stock, and restock workstations and display cases. Prepare specialty foods such as pizzas, fish and chips, sandwiches, and tacos, following specific methods that usually require short preparation time. Prepare dough, following recipe. Schedule activities and equipment use with managers, using information about daily menus to help coordinate cooking times. Prepare and serve beverages such as coffee and fountain drinks. Mix ingredients such as pancake or waffle batters. Order and take delivery of supplies. Pre-cook items such as bacon, in order to prepare them for later use.

If you prefer the cozy home setting over the rushed confines of a professional restaurant kitchen, you might be better suited for a job position as a private household chef. However, these jobs are very personal and require you to be able to mingle with all the guests. This means having good social skills and proper etiquette.

In a restaurant, you might be in the kitchen for the entire night without seeing the faces or interacting with the person who are indulging themselves on your prepared meals. In private cooking settings, this is simply impossible because the cook must be able to discuss their dish and be able to explain their thoughts during the cooking experience.

While you may introduce new food dishes to your clients, you are also responsible for knowing their likes and dislikes. If they are in a bad mood, cooking their favorite foods will look like you care for them and help you keep that job.

Private Household Cook Job Descriptions

Private household cooks prepare meals in private homes according to employers’ recipes or tastes, handling all meals for the family and possibly for other household staff. You will stock, organize, and clean kitchens and cooking utensils. You will shop for or order food and kitchen supplies and equipment. Serve meals and snacks to employing families and their guests. Plan menus according to employers’ needs and diet restrictions.

Plan and prepare food for parties, holiday meals, luncheons, special functions, and other social events. Peel, wash, trim, and cook vegetables and meats, and bake breads and pastries. Direct the operation and organization of kitchens and all food-related activities, including the presentation and serving of food. Travel with employers to vacation homes to provide meal preparation at those locations. Specialize in preparing fancy dishes and/or food for special diets. There is also a chance for you to create and explore new cuisines.

Cooking for Private Homes

It helps to have organizational skills and the ability to manage your team. If you lack the skills in a certain department, make sure to hire someone who can take that place. One extra requirement for your own sanity is to allocate your free time and be prepared for unexpected cooking events.

And remember, food and supplies are on their dime, not yours. Do not try to do what cooks do and maximize costs by substituting in season products. If they are willing to pay for a private household cook and want these expensive organic items, use them and do not try to be thrifty. You can suggest different items that might be more cost effective but it is not your job to save them money. Your job is to please their palates.

If you are planning on working a few hours a day to pay the bills or want to get into a program where you get paid to work and learn, then work for UPS.

At UPS, you learn skills that will be beneficial for future careers. You can get business skills, job training, and experience at a Fortune 100 company.

As a part-time employee, you’ll have access to the following benefits:

* $3,000 per year for tuition assistance (part-time employees)*
* Medical and life insurance
* Great starting pay and annual raises
* Weekly paychecks
* 401(k) plan
* Set work schedule
* Variety of shift options
* Weekends and holidays off (except Air Hubs)
* Paid vacations and holidays
* Promotion from within
* Training and skill building

This is all part of the earn and learn program UPS offers.

Find out more about the specific tasks involved in package handling.