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Kitchen staff vs cook/server

The differences between kitchen staff and cook/servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a kitchen staff has an average salary of $29,816, which is higher than the $29,716 average annual salary of a cook/server.

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

Kitchen staff vs cook/server overview

Kitchen StaffCook/Server
Yearly salary$29,816$29,716
Hourly rate$14.33$14.29
Growth rate2%14%
Number of jobs154,513257,582
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%High School Diploma, 52%
Average age3723
Years of experience--

What does a kitchen staff do?

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.

What does a cook/server do?

Cooks/servers are employees who take on the dual role of being a cook and a server in the restaurant. They are usually trained cooks who are in charge of preparing meals for the guests. They prepare ingredients, cook them according to the recipe, and serve them to guests. They are responsible for ensuring that the food is prepared and served to guests within the promised time. They are in charge of managing the pantry, ensuring that the stock is fresh, and checking whether the stock is low. They are expected to have culinary skills, precision, and time management skills.

Kitchen staff vs cook/server salary

Kitchen staff and cook/servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Kitchen StaffCook/Server
Average salary$29,816$29,716
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CABellingham, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonAlaska
Best paying companyThe Road HomeThe Harley School
Best paying industryEducationRetail

Differences between kitchen staff and cook/server education

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

Kitchen StaffCook/Server
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%High School Diploma, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Kitchen staff vs cook/server demographics

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

Kitchen StaffCook/Server
Average age3723
Gender ratioMale, 56.5% Female, 43.5%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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 Percentage6%8%

Differences between kitchen staff and cook/server duties and responsibilities

Kitchen staff example responsibilities.

  • Assist the catering manager to manage, prepare, cook and deliver each day s caterings.
  • Present an enjoyable and positive atmosphere while preparing an outstanding product, manage inventory, and maintain cleanliness
  • Conduct daily inspections for overall cleanliness of all areas and proper sanitizing of food preparation surfaces.
  • Increase sales by upselling and signing customers up for discount cards
  • Prep food for dinner dishes, bar back, work on fryers, and wash dishes.
  • Cook, wash dishes, serve customers, prepare food for caterings, and stock shelves.
  • Show more

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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Kitchen staff vs cook/server skills

Common kitchen staff skills
  • Food Handling, 25%
  • Cleanliness, 21%
  • Sanitation Standards, 13%
  • Quality Food, 9%
  • Food Products, 7%
  • Meal Preparation, 5%
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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