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Kitchen staff vs food preparer

The differences between kitchen staff and food preparers 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 $27,717 average annual salary of a food preparer.

The top three skills for a kitchen staff include food handling, cleanliness and sanitation standards. The most important skills for a food preparer are food handling, work ethic, and food products.

Kitchen staff vs food preparer overview

Kitchen StaffFood Preparer
Yearly salary$29,816$27,717
Hourly rate$14.33$13.33
Growth rate2%14%
Number of jobs154,513134,113
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%High School Diploma, 41%
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 food preparer do?

A food preparer or food preparation worker is the person who executes routine tasks under the supervision of chefs, food service managers, and cooks. Food preparation workers slice meat, cut vegetables, and prepare cold foods. They prepare ingredients of food for recipes as they assist cooks and chefs. Their duties and responsibilities include sifting, marinating, food safety, grating, and knife skills. They are also expected to weigh and measure dry and liquid ingredients.

Kitchen staff vs food preparer salary

Kitchen staff and food preparers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Kitchen StaffFood Preparer
Average salary$29,816$27,717
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $20,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CACommack, NY
Highest paying stateWashingtonNew Hampshire
Best paying companyThe Road HomeMount Sinai Health System
Best paying industryEducationRetail

Differences between kitchen staff and food preparer education

There are a few differences between a kitchen staff and a food preparer in terms of educational background:

Kitchen StaffFood Preparer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Kitchen staff vs food preparer demographics

Here are the differences between kitchen staff' and food preparers' demographics:

Kitchen StaffFood Preparer
Average age3723
Gender ratioMale, 56.5% Female, 43.5%Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4%
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 food preparer 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.
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Food preparer example responsibilities.

  • Maintain cleanliness, organization and time management of order preparation, customer service
  • Follow closing procedures and maintain cleanliness of food preparation area and bathrooms.
  • Operate on a POS system, and would prep and serve food.
  • Clean fryers daily, closing shop with overhaul of cleaning routines and stocking freezers.
  • Operate a variety of commercial cooking equipment including grills, deep fryers, and ovens.
  • Clean and sanitize workstations, utensils and equipment according to sanitation guidelines.
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Kitchen staff vs food preparer skills

Common kitchen staff skills
  • Food Handling, 25%
  • Cleanliness, 21%
  • Sanitation Standards, 13%
  • Quality Food, 9%
  • Food Products, 7%
  • Meal Preparation, 5%
Common food preparer skills
  • Food Handling, 20%
  • Work Ethic, 13%
  • Food Products, 11%
  • Kitchen Utensils, 8%
  • Safety Standards, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%

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