Servers take customers' orders and deliver food and drinks.
A food service worker prepares food in restaurants and other settings where food is served, such as cafeterias and banquet halls. The duties of a food service worker vary depending on his or her skill level and job title. Some food workers cook the food and develop recipes, while others are responsible for performing the routine necessary tasks in the kitchen, such as washing the dishes and chopping vegetables and meat.
Types
A food service worker can be a prep cook, dishwasher, food server or the head chef or manager. A prep cook works under the supervision of the head chef. He or she chops vegetables, prepares meats and measures out the ingredients needed. A prep cook may occasionally serve double duty as a dishwasher, although larger kitchens usually employ people whose specific job is washing dishes.
A food server is the face of the restaurant. He or she is responsible for taking customers' orders, serving food and accepting payment from them at the end of the meal. Some servers may also seat customers at tables. They are required to be familiar with the restaurant's menu and to provide service that is appropriate to the type of establishment at which they work.
A head chef or manager oversees operation of the kitchen or the entire establishment. Head chefs also develop the menu.
Environment
All food service workers must be comfortable working at a fast pace in a high-pressure environment. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is a necessary skill as well. Servers need to be able to make orders known to the kitchen and cooks need to be able to instruct the workers under them.
Servers and cooks can expect to be on their feet for most of their shift. Food service jobs are not without their risks. A cook can burn herself and a server can slip and fall on a wet floor.
Equipment Used
Food service workers employed in the kitchen are responsible for operating certain types of equipment. Using kitchen equipment requires a degree of care and skill or else the worker could badly injure themselves. Prep cooks often use slicing machines, food processors and blenders to prepare recipes. Cooks must use stove and grill tops, deep-fry machines and ovens to prepare the meals.
Training and Education
Many food service workers receive on-the-job training. It is not uncommon for high school students to work in restaurants as servers or dishwashers. People who want to make a career out of food service can attend training programs at vocational schools either during or after high school to learn food preparation and food safety basics. Culinary school is also an option for those who are interested in becoming head chefs and cooks. The length of training depends on the sort of degree granted by the culinary school. Some schools grant diplomas and only take a year or two while others are four-year institutions that grant bachelor's degrees.
Salary
The salary of food service workers varies greatly. Food servers and other front of house staff tend to earn the bulk of their money through tips. The amount a server makes in tips depends on how many customers he or she waits on each day, the amount of each customer's check and what percentage of the check the customer decides to leave as a tip. Fifteen to 20 percent of the check is the standard amount left as a tip. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average server earned between $7.53 and $10.35 per hour in 2008. A server working in an expensive, fine-dining establishment or a very busy restaurant can expect to earn more than average.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that head cooks or chefs earned an average salary between $29,050 and $51,540 in 2008. Short-order cooks, prep cooks and fast food cooks earned between $15,470 and $27,460 on average in 2008.
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