Banquet cook vs prep cook

The differences between banquet cooks and prep cooks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a banquet cook and a prep cook. Additionally, a banquet cook has an average salary of $34,599, which is higher than the $32,292 average annual salary of a prep cook.

The top three skills for a banquet cook include culinary, quality standards and cleanliness. The most important skills for a prep cook are food handling, culinary, and sanitation standards.

Banquet cook vs prep cook overview

	Banquet Cook	Prep Cook
Yearly salary	$34,599	$32,292
Hourly rate	$16.63	$15.53
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	151,211	168,265
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 51%	High School Diploma, 48%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Banquet cook vs prep cook salary

Banquet cooks and prep cooks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Banquet Cook	Prep Cook
Average salary	$34,599	$32,292
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $43,000	Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Hawaii	Washington
Best paying company	Grosse Pointe Yacht Club	Kemps
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Manufacturing

Differences between banquet cook and prep cook education

There are a few differences between a banquet cook and a prep cook in terms of educational background:

	Banquet Cook	Prep Cook
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 51%	High School Diploma, 48%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Banquet cook vs prep cook demographics

Here are the differences between banquet cooks' and prep cooks' demographics:

	Banquet Cook	Prep Cook
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 73.8% Female, 26.2%	Male, 61.3% Female, 38.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 9.0% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.6% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between banquet cook and prep cook duties and responsibilities

Banquet cook example responsibilities.

Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
Knife skills, baking, roasting, frying, sauteing, and grilling large quantities.
Follow the HACCP guidelines for preparing food
Well verse in cleaning work areas, equipment, utensils, and dishes.
Work on the different stations in the kitchen like saut, grill and bake.
Task involve preparation of fresh meals daily for the hospital patients and the public.

Prep cook example responsibilities.

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Provide students with first-rate customer service and ensure correct time-temperature control of culinary dishes.
Learned and become CPR certify for emergencies.
Direct and ensure that HACCP procedures are follow.
Plan menu items as needed for caf or catering.
Earn first aid, CPR, and a certification.

Banquet cook vs prep cook skills

Common banquet cook skills

Culinary, 14%
Quality Standards, 11%
Cleanliness, 10%
Food Handling, 10%
Kitchen Equipment, 8%
Food Preparation, 7%

Common prep cook skills

Food Handling, 15%
Culinary, 15%
Sanitation Standards, 12%
Kitchen Equipment, 9%
Cleanliness, 7%
Team Work, 7%

Banquet Cook vs. similar jobs

Banquet Cook related careers

Banquet Cook related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Banquet Cook
Banquet Cook vs Prep Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs