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

What is a cook/team member and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A cook/team member is a member of a restaurant or culinary establishment. They are responsible for preparing food, cooking, and ensuring that each dish is presented attractively. Cooks/Team members must be able to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment while following food safety guidelines. They also assist with dishwashing, stocking supplies, and cleaning duties. Attention to detail and a passion for cooking are essential qualities for success in this role.

ScoreCook/Team MemberUS Average

Salary

1.9

Avg. Salary $24,668

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 27.30%

male 72.70%

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/team member?

Pros

Opportunity to learn and develop cooking skills
Ability to be creative with food recipes and presentation
Potential for career advancement within the industry
Discounts on food and beverage items
Opportunity to work in a variety of settings, such as restaurants, hotels, or catering companies

Cons

Exposure to heat, sharp objects, and potentially hazardous materials
Limited opportunities for time off during peak seasons/holidays
Inconsistent work schedules that may conflict with personal life
Potential for conflict or tension with co-workers or superiors
Limited opportunities for creativity within strict menu guidelines

Key steps to become a cook/team member

Explore cook/team member education requirements

Most common cook/team member degrees

High School Diploma

48.7 %

Bachelor's

22.1 %

Associate

14.3 %

Start to develop specific cook/team member skills

Skills	Percentages
Dishes	34.28%
Work Ethic	30.60%
Team Work	12.54%
Culinary	8.58%
Customer Service	6.83%

Complete relevant cook/team member training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New cook/team members 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/team member based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real cook/team member resumes.

Research cook/team member duties and responsibilities

Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Help maintain kitchen equipment and restaurant cleanliness.
Follow al health, safety and HACCP procedures.
Answer phones taking orders, inputting orders and payments into the POS.

Prepare your cook/team member resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your cook/team member 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/team member 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/team member resume templates

Build a professional cook/team member 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/team member resume.

Apply for cook/team member jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a cook/team member 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/team members rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Cook/team member reviews

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 Apr 2020

Pros

What I like most about working as a cook Assistant I take pride in my work and it is a honour for me to prepare food for some one and I always try to do it to the best of my ability thank you.

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.

What is a cook/team member and how to become one

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

Cook/team member career paths

Key steps to become a cook/team member

Explore cook/team member education requirements

Most common cook/team member degrees

Start to develop specific cook/team member skills

Complete relevant cook/team member training and internships

Research cook/team member duties and responsibilities

Prepare your cook/team member resume

Choose from 10+ customizable cook/team member resume templates

Apply for cook/team member jobs

How did you land your first cook/team member job

Average cook/team member salary

How do cook/team members rate their job?

Cook/team member reviews

Cook/team member jobs by state