Cook/Server Education Requirements And Courses

Cook/Server Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, cook/servers don't need a college education. The most common degree for cook/servers is high school diploma with 52% graduates, with only 15% cook/server graduates earning associate degree. Cook/servers who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or Central State University. Some good skills to have in this position include customer service, customer orders and safety standards.

Popular cook/server certifications include Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS), Certified Food Manager (CFM), or Food Safety Manager Certification. To improve cook/server qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in cook/server education paths.

What education do you need to become a cook/server?

What degree do you need to be a cook/server?

The most common degree for cook/servers is high school diploma, with 52% of cook/servers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 15% and associate degree degree at 15%.

High School Diploma, 52%

Associate, 15%

Bachelor's, 15%

Diploma, 12%

Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a cook/server?

You should major in business to become a cook/server. 19% of cook/servers major in business. Other common majors for a cook/server include general studies and criminal justice.

Business, 19%

General Studies, 12%

Criminal Justice, 8%

Culinary Arts, 8%

Other Majors, 53%

Best majors for cook/servers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	18.6%
2	General Studies	11.9%
3	Criminal Justice	8.1%
4	Culinary Arts	8.1%
5	Nursing	6.1%

Show more common cook/server majors

20 best online courses for cook/servers

Advertising Disclosure

1. Cooking for Busy Healthy People

Cooking is one of the most powerful ways in which we can optimize our enjoyment of great quality food while protecting our health. Even on a tight budget, cooking can be a cost-effective, joyful and rewarding way to love the food that will love us back for a lifetime. In this course, you’ll learn some basic recipes from a home cook and two professional chefs who prioritize healthful eating. You’ll also learn some of the fundamentals of principle-based cooking that can help you break free from...

2. Fun food safety and sanitation course

4.6

(539)

The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...

3. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

4.4

(976)

Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

4. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors

4.3

(489)

The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...

5. Cook Real Food: How to Make Simple Plant-Based Meals

4.6

(1,644)

Learn how to cook whole plant foods to make quick, easy, and healthy vegan meals for practical everyday eating...

6. SAP Customer Service (CS/SM) - Service Management module

4.4

(960)

Real World SAP CS and SD, Repair Orders, Service Orders, Service Contracts...

7. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives

4.5

(941)

Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...

8. ISO 22000 (HACCP and PRPs) for Food Safety

4.4

(618)

Standards, analysis, control points, and risk management related to ISO 22000 for food industry professionals...

9. Food Photography: Capturing Food in Your Kitchen

4.7

(3,133)

With DIY Food Photography, you'll be taking better photos in no time with what you have in your own kitchen!...

10. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience

4.6

(2,666)

Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...

11. Blockchain applications in Food Safety, Healthcare & Pharma

4.5

(3,019)

Best course to learn about Blockchain Business Applications in Pharma, Food Safety, Healthcare and Insurance Industries...

12. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

4.5

(1,881)

Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

13. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer

4.7

(18,204)

Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...

14. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

4.5

(2,583)

Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

15. Customer Service: 6 Keys To Exceptional Customer Service

4.6

(601)

Master Customer Satisfaction & Astonish Your Customers With A+ Customer Service...

16. Brilliant Customer Service: How to Impress your Customers!

4.7

(12,891)

Enhance your customer support and truly differentiate yourself from your competition!...

17. Occupational Health & Safety Training

4.4

(1,198)

Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...

18. Your Customer Service Toolbox: Best Practices for Beginners

4.5

(4,101)

Excel as a front-line customer service agent using problem-solving & relationship-building skills, etiquette, and more...

19. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings

4.5

(958)

A Brief Safety Management Course for Current and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

20. Basic Food Photography

4.2

(1,349)

Learn how to take delicious food photos from scratch...

Average cook/server salary by education level

Cook/servers with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $31,371 annually. With a Associate degree, cook/servers earn a median annual income of $30,958 compared to $29,630 for cook/servers with an High School Diploma degree.

Cook/Server education level	Cook/Server salary
High School Diploma or Less	$29,630
Bachelor's Degree	$31,371
Some College/ Associate Degree	$30,958