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What does a Food Prep do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a Food Prep do

The primary duty of a food prep is to accomplish various food handling and preparation tasks according to the direction of supervisors, chefs, or cooks. One can work in different establishments or industry where there is food involved. Among the responsibilities will mostly revolve around doing light to moderate chores such as cleaning the kitchen and sanitizing utensils, preparing the required ingredients and ensure its quality and quantity, be in charge of food storage, and assist by performing basic cooking tasks.

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Food prep responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real food prep resumes:

  • Provide quality customer service while providing assistance in food preparation and maintaining store cleanliness.
  • Operate blenders, stoves, and steamers.
  • Fast pace and quick learning worker also good math skills.
  • Clean dishes, meat and cheese slicers, refrigerators and coolers.
  • Detail cleaning include, broilers, fryers, walk in refrigerator/freezer, dining and restrooms.
  • Operate flat top grill, salamander grill, deep fryer, mixer and tortilla steamers.
  • Use of slicers to slice cheese and vegetables, along with other major commercial restaurant equipment!
  • Operate large-volume cooking equipment including but not limit to grills, fryers, steamers and ovens.
  • Handle food prep after receiving orders from customer service, operate grill, food handler and are a dishwasher.
  • Process transactions using POS system, verifying cash given to customer and cash match end of shift till count.
  • Answer questions that the guest may have about any of the food that is being serve, due to food allergies.
  • Prepare orders, inventory management, POS, independent marketing management ,
  • Cook, dishwasher, waiter, delivery driver, supervisor, answer phones, opening and closing, housekeeping, etc.
  • Prep salsa's, grate lots of cheese, cut and grind meats, fry station, expediter, etc.
  • Make sure food is stored and cook at correct temperature in the ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.

Food prep skills and personality traits

We calculated that 17% of Food Preps are proficient in Food Service, Food Handling, and Taking Care. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Physical strength.

We break down the percentage of Food Preps that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Food Service, 17%

    Instructed food service personnel on hazard analysis and proper cookery enhancing awareness and improving food preparation that eliminated food borne illnesses.

  • Food Handling, 13%

    Sound ability to understand basic sanitation requirements related to personal hygiene, food handling, and equipment safety and sanitation.

  • Taking Care, 12%

    Minimized waste by taking care when moving orders to and from vehicle.

  • Cleanliness, 9%

    Provided quality customer service while providing assistance in food preparation and maintaining store cleanliness.

  • Good Communication, 6%

    Prepare food in a timely and creative fashion Teamwork Time Management Stocking Taking Inventory Use of good communication skills

  • Math, 5%

    Learned how to deal with customers face to face, how to deal with fast math involving money .

Common skills that a food prep uses to do their job include "food service," "food handling," and "taking care." You can find details on the most important food prep responsibilities below.

Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a food prep to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "food and beverage serving and related workers must listen carefully to their customers’ orders and relay them correctly to the kitchen staff so that the orders are prepared to the customers’ request." Food preps often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "prepared food for customers and developed good communication skills and courteous customer approach. "

Customer-service skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling food prep duties is customer-service skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "food service establishments rely on good food and customer service to keep customers and succeed in a competitive industry." According to a food prep resume, here's how food preps can utilize customer-service skills in their job responsibilities: "serve food to customers, place food in food warmers for immediate service. "

Physical strength. food preps are also known for physical strength, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to food prep responsibilities, because "food and beverage serving and related workers need to be able to lift and carry stock and equipment that can weigh up to 50 pounds." A food prep resume example shows how physical strength is used in the workplace: "performed cashier duties assisted with food preparation and greeted patrons at door maintained physical appearance and sanitation of store"

All food prep skills

The three companies that hire the most food preps are:

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Compare different food preps

Food prep 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.

If we compare the average food prep annual salary with that of a kitchen staff, we find that kitchen staff typically earn a $3,976 higher salary than food preps make annually.Even though food preps and kitchen staff are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require food service, food handling, and cleanliness in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a food prep are more likely to require skills like "taking care," "good communication," "math," and "dexterity." On the other hand, a job as a kitchen staff requires skills like "quality food," "meal preparation," "food preparation," and "clean environment." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Kitchen staff earn the highest salaries when working in the education industry, with an average yearly salary of $30,914. On the other hand, food preps are paid more in the retail industry with an average salary of $28,945.The education levels that kitchen staff earn slightly differ from food preps. In particular, kitchen staff are 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a food prep. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Food prep vs. Cafe associate

A cafe associate performs various support tasks to help maintain the smooth flow of operations at a cafe and ensure customer satisfaction. They ensure that the shelves are stocked with fresh and high-quality products by conducting regular evaluations and inspections, disposing of expired goods, and adding new products as necessary. They may also prepare or serve orders, make drinks using machines, and assist customers by answering inquiries or processing their payments. Moreover, a cafe associate must maintain an open communication line with co-workers and report to managers regularly.

Cafe associate positions earn higher pay than food prep roles. They earn a $4,241 higher salary than food preps per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both food preps and cafe associates have skills such as "food service," "food handling," and "taking care. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, food prep responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "good communication," "math," "dexterity," and "manual dexterity." Meanwhile, a cafe associate has duties that require skills in areas such as "groceries," "sam," "culinary," and "product knowledge." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, cafe associates earn a higher salary than food preps. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, cafe associates earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $29,858. Whereas food preps have higher pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $28,945.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Cafe associates tend to reach similar levels of education than food preps. In fact, they're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Food prep vs. Prep cook/dishwasher

A prep cook and dishwasher is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing kitchen items and utensils, and performing basic cooking tasks under the supervision of chefs or cooks. It is also their responsibility to prepare ingredients by washing, chopping, weighing, and ensuring that they are the correct quantity and quality. Furthermore, a prep cook and dishwasher may also have to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen, clear tables, monitor inventory of ingredients in storage, coordinate with the kitchen staff, and meet all health standards and policies.

An average prep cook/dishwasher eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of food preps. The difference in salaries amounts to prep cook/dishwashers earning a $5,847 higher average salary than food preps.By looking over several food preps and prep cook/dishwashers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "kitchen equipment," "safety standards," and "clean kitchen." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, food preps are more likely to have skills like "food service," "food handling," "taking care," and "cleanliness." But a prep cook/dishwasher is more likely to have skills like "wash dishes," "food preparation equipment," "cooking equipment," and "line cooks."

Prep cook/dishwashers earn the highest salary when working in the retail industry, where they receive an average salary of $30,948. Comparatively, food preps have the highest earning potential in the retail industry, with an average salary of $28,945.Most prep cook/dishwashers achieve a similar degree level compared to food preps. For example, they're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Food prep vs. Line server

A line server is responsible for assisting the guests with their needs to ensure an overall satisfying dining experience with the highest quality service. Line servers take and verify guests' orders, provide recommendation for orders, respond to the guests' inquiries regarding the menu, manage the food preparation and serving, assist guests with additional requests, and ensure strict adherence to the sanitary standards and hygienic procedures at all times. Line servers must have excellent communication and time-management skills to interact with different guests and identify their dining needs.

Line servers average a higher salary than the annual salary of food preps. The difference is about $2,460 per year.According to resumes from food preps and line servers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "safety standards," "food products," and "customer service. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between food preps and line servers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a food prep might have more use for skills like "food service," "food handling," "taking care," and "cleanliness." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of line servers require skills like "excellent guest," "food safety," "food trays," and "buffet line. "

The average resume of line servers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to food preps. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of food prep

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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