Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers, and Related Workers

Nature of work

Food counter attendants and food preparers prepare, heat and finish cooking simple food items and serve customers at food counters. Kitchen helpers, food service helpers, and dishwashers’ clear tables, clean kitchen areas, wash dishes, and perform various other activities to help workers who prepare or serve food and beverages. They work for restaurants, cafés, hotels, fast food outlets, cafeterias, hospitals, and other businesses.

Job duties

Food counter attendants and food preparers:

• Take customers' orders.
• Clean, peel, slice and trim food using manual and electric appliances.
• Use deep fryer, grill, oven, dispensers, and other equipment to prepare fast food items like sandwiches, hamburgers, fries, salads, ice cream dishes, milkshakes, and other drinks.
• Portion, assemble, and wrap food or place it directly on plates for service to customers, and package take-out food.
• Use equipment to prepare hot drinks like coffee and tea specialties.
• Serve customers at counters or buffet tables.
• Stock refrigerators and salad bars and keep records of the quantities of food used.
• May receive payment for food items purchased.

Kitchen helpers:

• Wash and peel vegetables and fruit.
• Wash worktables, cupboards, and appliances.
• Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
• Unpack and store supplies in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas.
• Sweep and mop floors and complete other duties to help cook and kitchen staff.

Food service helpers:

• Clear and clean tables and trays in eating companies.
• Bring clean dishes, flatware, and other items to serving areas and set tables.
• Restock condiments and other supplies at tables and in serving areas.
• Remove dishes before and after courses.
• Perform other duties like scraping and stacking dishes, carrying linen to and from laundry area, and running errands.

Dishwashers:

• Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, pots and pans using dishwasher or by hand.
• Place dishes in storage area.
• Scour pots and pans and may clean and polish silverware.

Sample job titles

• barista
• bartender helper
• bus boy/girl
• cafeteria worker
• dining room attendant
• dishwasher
• fast-food preparer
• food counter attendant
• food service worker
• kitchen helper

Skills

• You should have good health, physical stamina, and manual dexterity. You must also be able to work on your own and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

• Some high school education is usually required.
• On-the-job training is provided.

Other considerations

• Work in these jobs tends to be seasonal, with employment levels peaking in the summer months. Food service workers are often expected to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

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