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Food server, kitchen vs cook/server

The differences between food servers, kitchen and cook/servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cook/server has an average salary of $29,716, which is higher than the $26,323 average annual salary of a food server, kitchen.

The top three skills for a food server, kitchen include wine, dishes and cleanliness. The most important skills for a cook/server are customer service, customer orders, and safety standards.

Food server, kitchen vs cook/server overview

Food Server, KitchenCook/Server
Yearly salary$26,323$29,716
Hourly rate$12.66$14.29
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs120,231257,582
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%High School Diploma, 52%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

Food server, kitchen vs cook/server salary

Food servers, kitchen and cook/servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Food Server, KitchenCook/Server
Average salary$26,323$29,716
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $35,000Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City-Bellingham, WA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-The Harley School
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between food server, kitchen and cook/server education

There are a few differences between a food server, kitchen and a cook/server in terms of educational background:

Food Server, KitchenCook/Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%High School Diploma, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food server, kitchen vs cook/server demographics

Here are the differences between food servers, kitchen' and cook/servers' demographics:

Food Server, KitchenCook/Server
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 42.8% Female, 57.2%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between food server, kitchen and cook/server duties and responsibilities

Food server, kitchen example responsibilities.

  • Manage event reservations and party requests, inform customers about upcoming events and specials.
  • Take orders, maintain cleanliness, place phone orders, expedite kitchen, make change, know menu and ingredients.
  • Take guest orders and input them into POS system.
  • Start as a server in the kitchen to serve student meals and work POS on the computer.
  • Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
  • Welcome customers and make recommendations for selective requirements for celebration/venue/special occasions/food allergies and sensitivities.
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Cook/server example 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!
  • Operate the filtration system used for the fryers to keep all sanitation guidelines up to standards as per the health department.
  • Operate, and maintain clean and safe cooking equipment like pressure cooker deep fryers, plate grills, and deep fryers.
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Food server, kitchen vs cook/server skills

Common food server, kitchen skills
  • Wine, 20%
  • Dishes, 11%
  • Cleanliness, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • POS, 8%
  • Cash Handling, 6%
Common cook/server skills
  • Customer Service, 41%
  • Customer Orders, 8%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Food Preparation, 5%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 4%
  • POS, 4%

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