How To Become A Cook/Server: What It Is and Career Path

What is a cook/server and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A cook/server prepares and serves food in a restaurant or food service establishment. They cook and plate dishes and work to serve customers in a timely manner. Cook/servers may also be responsible for cleaning and maintaining equipment, stocking supplies, and creating menus. The role requires communication skills, and the ability to work well under pressure. They also use knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices and work to create a positive dining experience.

ScoreCook/ServerUS Average

Salary

2.3

Avg. Salary $29,716

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.0

Growth rate 14%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.85%

Asian 6.49%

Black or African American 9.64%

Hispanic or Latino 18.63%

Unknown 6.92%

White 57.47%

Gender

female 54.08%

male 45.92%

Age - 21

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 21

Stress level

7.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

9.7

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a cook/server?

Pros

Opportunity to work with food and learn cooking skills
Potential for flexible scheduling and shift work
Opportunities for advancement into management positions
Tips and potential for additional income
Physical activity throughout the day can lead to improved health and fitness

Cons

Physically demanding work can lead to exhaustion and strain on the body
Potential for difficult or demanding customers
Limited opportunities for scheduled breaks during busy shifts
Low wages and lack of benefits in some establishments
Late-night or early morning shifts can disrupt sleep patterns and social life.

Key steps to become a cook/server

Explore cook/server education requirements

Most common cook/server degrees

High School Diploma

52.1 %

Associate

15.3 %

Bachelor's

15.0 %

Start to develop specific cook/server skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	41.15%
Customer Orders	8.33%
Safety Standards	6.25%
Food Preparation	5.37%
Kitchen Equipment	4.46%

Complete relevant cook/server training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New cook/servers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a cook/server based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real cook/server resumes.

Research cook/server duties and responsibilities

Develop ability to manage multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining high levels of culinary excellence.
Assist customers, bag groceries, replenish carts, and clean store.
Pay close attention to detail while multitasking between communicating over the intercom, utilizing the POS, and order placing.
Make smoothies, coffee, customer service, cashier, fill bakery cooler, inventory, stock, and clean!

Prepare your cook/server resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your cook/server resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a cook/server resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable cook/server resume templates

Build a professional cook/server resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your cook/server resume.

Apply for cook/server jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a cook/server job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do cook/servers rate their job?

4/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Cook/server reviews

4.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2021

Pros

A total time you spend knowing and communicate and get attachment to the clients

Cons

Leaving work when it's time to leave

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020

Pros

Not sedentary, moving around. Creativity.

Cons

Repetitive tasks. Or obviously, working with people who are highly critical.

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020

Pros

I like being able to work with food and get creative. I enjoy learning new techniques for a set of skills that can be applied outside the workplace.

Cons

It's pretty stressful on the body. I definitely could not see myself doing this the rest of my life; I am 19 and I can admit it's hard work - and I would consider myself in shape. Like dishwashers, I do consider myself underappreciated as well. We don't make very much money - In some cases, the servers make more than us! I think it's because our specific organization doesn't allow the kitchen staff to get tips at all.

What is a cook/server and how to become one

What are the pros and cons of being a cook/server?

Cook/server career paths

Key steps to become a cook/server

Explore cook/server education requirements

Most common cook/server degrees

Start to develop specific cook/server skills

Complete relevant cook/server training and internships

Research cook/server duties and responsibilities

Prepare your cook/server resume

Choose from 10+ customizable cook/server resume templates

Apply for cook/server jobs

How did you land your first cook/server job

Average cook/server salary

How do cook/servers rate their job?

Cook/server reviews

Cook/server jobs by state