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Fine dining server vs line cook

The differences between fine dining servers and line cooks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a line cook has an average salary of $32,894, which is higher than the $32,140 average annual salary of a fine dining server.

The top three skills for a fine dining server include wine, fine dining and cleanliness. The most important skills for a line cook are culinary, sanitation standards, and food handling.

Fine dining server vs line cook overview

Fine Dining ServerLine Cook
Yearly salary$32,140$32,894
Hourly rate$15.45$15.81
Growth rate10%16%
Number of jobs77,549168,993
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age2838
Years of experience-4

What does a fine dining server do?

Fine dining servers the people who make your stay at a restaurant enjoyable. They deliver well-written orders for the kitchen to prepare and bring your food and beverage. Being a fine dining server is no easy task, as certain skill sets need to be met in order to become an effective dining server. An efficient server is detail-oriented, observant to the needs of the diners, and intuitive. An extensive knowledge of wines and other specific food categories may be required depending on the restaurant.

What does a line cook do?

Line cooks are responsible for preparing meals for guests or employers. The term line cook brings to mind an assembly line. This is apt because line cooks are usually assigned to a specific station to work on a specific part of a meal or a preparation process. They are part of a bigger group of cooks in the restaurant. This is done so that meal preparation is more efficient. Line cooks are responsible for preparing ingredients, ensuring that the pantry is well-stocked, and doing their assigned activity in the line. They are expected to be good team players, have experience as a cook, and be able to follow recipes and provide alternatives when necessary.

Fine dining server vs line cook salary

Fine dining servers and line cooks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Fine Dining ServerLine Cook
Average salary$32,140$32,894
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $47,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Gate City Bank
Best paying industry-Hospitality

Differences between fine dining server and line cook education

There are a few differences between a fine dining server and a line cook in terms of educational background:

Fine Dining ServerLine Cook
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorBusinessCulinary Arts
Most common college--

Fine dining server vs line cook demographics

Here are the differences between fine dining servers' and line cooks' demographics:

Fine Dining ServerLine Cook
Average age2838
Gender ratioMale, 39.6% Female, 60.4%Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 8.2% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.9% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between fine dining server and line cook duties and responsibilities

Fine dining server example responsibilities.

  • Schedule and prioritize workload while managing multiple tasks as a representative of this distinctive establishment frequent by wine enthusiasts.
  • Maintain Microsoft windows base computer system.
  • Work closely with management to implement new organizational systems to facilitate efficient wine service and inventory.
  • Craft featured cocktails and signature drinks when bartending.
  • Inform chefs if guests have any allergies or other requests.
  • Maintain cleanliness of work areas, china, glass, etc., throughout the day.
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Line cook example responsibilities.

  • Used strong organizational skills to manage steamers efficiently for both eat-in and take-out services.
  • Supervise cooks and manage the preparation, portioning, garnishing, and storage of all food items, cutting meat size.
  • Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
  • Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
  • Used equipment such as meat slicers, salamanders and steamers.
  • Develop food preparation skills and knowledge of tools involve; such as proper use of knives and automate slicers.
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Fine dining server vs line cook skills

Common fine dining server skills
  • Wine, 27%
  • Fine Dining, 24%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Beverage Orders, 4%
  • POS, 4%
Common line cook skills
  • Culinary, 12%
  • Sanitation Standards, 11%
  • Food Handling, 11%
  • Team Work, 9%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 8%
  • Cleanliness, 8%

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