What does a food prep/dishwasher do?

A food prep/dishwasher's role is to perform food preparation and cleaning duties in a kitchen, under the supervision and directives of a chef or manager. One of their primary responsibilities is washing dishes, sanitizing utensils, and preparing ingredients by washing, peeling, and cutting them according to size. They may also participate in organizing, sorting, and putting them in proper storage. There are also instances when they have to perform basic cooking tasks ranging from boiling and frying to baking. Furthermore, a food prep/dishwasher may have the duty of maintaining the kitchen's cleanliness and other areas.
Food prep/dishwasher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real food prep/dishwasher resumes:
- Prep food items and refrigerate appropriately, maintain cleanliness of restaurant, wash all dishes associate with the daily operations
- Operate industrial dishwasher ensuring sanitation of all dishes.
- Operate dishwasher keep kitchen clean organize and sanitize.
- Take proper care of ranges, ovens, broilers, fryers, griddles, utensils and other equipment.
- Gain knowledge of how to use kitchen tools such as blenders, fryers, coffee maker, and food processor.
- Make smoothies, clean up after every smoothie, clean whole store, prep fruits and juices
- Prepare smoothies, cold-press organic juices, and healthy, organic, raw foods and snacks.
- Work BOH in a fast pace environment with food make to order as customers want it.
Food prep/dishwasher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Food Prep/Dishwashers are proficient in Food Preparation Equipment, Work Ethic, and Wash Dishes. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Dexterity, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Food Prep/Dishwashers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Food Preparation Equipment, 17%
Cleaned dishes, kitchen, food preparation equipment or utensils, and prepped food orders for kitchen staff and servers.
- Work Ethic, 17%
Developed organizational skills, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic.
- Wash Dishes, 14%
Wash dishes used by chefs and customers, sanitize back of the house and utensils being used, Store all food.
- Cleanliness, 10%
Prepped food items and refrigerated appropriately, maintained cleanliness of restaurant, washed all dishes associated with the daily operations
- Food Service, 9%
Cleaned and maintained facility, cookware, and dishware, handled prep work for food service
- Dishwashers, 8%
Operated industrial dishwasher ensuring sanitation of all dishes.
Most food prep/dishwashers use their skills in "food preparation equipment," "work ethic," and "wash dishes" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential food prep/dishwasher responsibilities here:
The three companies that hire the most food prep/dishwashers are:
- Whole Foods Market263 food prep/dishwashers jobs
- TPI33 food prep/dishwashers jobs
- El Pollo Loco28 food prep/dishwashers jobs
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Food prep/dishwasher vs. Kitchen staff
The kitchen staff consists of preparation workers who execute several routine tasks as directed by chefs, food service managers, and cooks. These works should have the ability to follow cooking instructions and deliver well-prepared meals. Their responsibilities include the cleanup of dishes, cooking equipment, and the working stations. They also take charge of food safety regulations, storing and sorting of ingredients, and preparing foodstuff.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between food prep/dishwashers and kitchen staff. For instance, food prep/dishwasher responsibilities require skills such as "food preparation equipment," "work ethic," "strong work ethic," and "wash dishes." Whereas a kitchen staff is skilled in "food handling," "quality food," "meal preparation," and "clean environment." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Kitchen staff really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $30,914. Comparatively, food prep/dishwashers tend to make the most money in the professional industry with an average salary of $30,657.On average, kitchen staff reach similar levels of education than food prep/dishwashers. Kitchen staff are 0.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Food prep/dishwasher vs. Kitchen aide
A bakery clerk is an employee who is responsible for running the bakery department of supermarkets, boutique bakeries, or baking facilities. Bakery clerks are usually tasked to manage the bakery's cash register, bagging baked goods and then taking customers' payments. They ensure that the display cases inside the bakery are fully stocked with fresh bread and other baked goods. They also assist bakers with baking tasks such as measuring ingredients, mixing dough, or pouring batter.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that food prep/dishwasher responsibilities requires skills like "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "wash dishes," and "sanitation standards." But a kitchen aide might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "meal preparation," "patients," "food handling," and "functional operation."
Kitchen aides may earn a lower salary than food prep/dishwashers, but kitchen aides earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $29,166. On the other hand, food prep/dishwashers receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $30,657.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Kitchen aides tend to reach similar levels of education than food prep/dishwashers. In fact, they're 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Food prep/dishwasher vs. Bakery clerk
A deli clerk is responsible for providing healthy food recommendations to the customers, assisting them with their inquiries, and providing special offers. Deli clerks' duties include maintaining the highest sanitation procedures within the working area, updating the customers with the products' promotions, updating displays regularly, researching the latest market trends for product recommendations, and adhering to the company's safety standards and regulations. A deli clerk must have impeccable customer service and communication skills to ensure customer satisfaction while meeting the company's objectives and sales goals.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a food prep/dishwasher is likely to be skilled in "food preparation equipment," "work ethic," "strong work ethic," and "wash dishes," while a typical bakery clerk is skilled in "basic math," "bakery products," "math," and "food safety."
Bakery clerks earn the highest salary when working in the retail industry, where they receive an average salary of $30,395. Comparatively, food prep/dishwashers have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $30,657.bakery clerks typically earn similar educational levels compared to food prep/dishwashers. Specifically, they're 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Food prep/dishwasher vs. Deli clerk
Types of food prep/dishwasher
Updated January 8, 2025











