What does a kitchen worker do?
Kitchen worker responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real kitchen worker resumes:
- Ensure cleanliness of surroundings and sterilization/sanitation of kitchen prep area and food trays.
- Clean floors, dishes, stoves and pots.
- Prepare for opening the next morning by cleaning and shutting down fryers and broiler.
- Work well with other employees-Maintain cleanliness of areas assigned-perform a variety of services-follow property policies and procedures-oversee own responsibilities
- Remove wash dishware, flatware, and glassware from dishwasher and stack them according to size and likeness for future use.
- Sanitize heavy equipment including dishwasher, mixer and slicer.
- Work on a assembly line for the remainder of the residents that eat in their personal rooms.
Kitchen worker skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Kitchen Workers are proficient in Cleanliness, Food Handling, and Kitchen Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Physical strength, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Kitchen Workers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cleanliness, 17%
Light / heavy cleaning * Ran dish washer * Cleanliness of area * Polishing of dish ware * Seasonal job
- Food Handling, 13%
Developed sound ability to understand basic sanitation requirements related to personal hygiene, food handling and equipment safety and sanitation.
- Kitchen Equipment, 12%
Learned to utilize new Commercial Kitchen equipment in order to improve dining hall operation efficiency.
- Food Service, 10%
Maintain all HACCP and Food Service laws and regulations through labeling, dating, rotating etc.
- Customer Service, 8%
Provided excellent customer service and created a lively environment
- Patients, 8%
Provide dietary related information to patients as needed.
Most kitchen workers use their skills in "cleanliness," "food handling," and "kitchen equipment" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential kitchen worker responsibilities here:
The three companies that hire the most kitchen workers are:
- Caesars Entertainment14 kitchen workers jobs
- Erickson Senior Living14 kitchen workers jobs
- McDonald's13 kitchen workers jobs
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Compare different kitchen workers
Kitchen worker vs. Food prep
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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, kitchen worker responsibilities require skills like "patients," "kitchen floors," "safety procedures," and "food carts." Meanwhile a typical food prep has skills in areas such as "taking care," "good communication," "math," and "dexterity." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Food preps earn the highest salaries when working in the retail industry, with an average yearly salary of $28,945. On the other hand, kitchen workers are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $30,650.On average, food preps reach similar levels of education than kitchen workers. Food preps are 0.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Kitchen worker vs. Catering assistant
A catering assistant is responsible for supporting catering operations, especially on outdoor gatherings and social events. Catering assistants prepare the buffet area and ensure the adequacy of foods and beverages, and provide the best customer service for the guests' satisfaction. Catering assistants must have excellent communication skills, responding to the guests' inquiries and concerns about the dish, and resolving immediate complaints. They maintain the cleanliness of the buffet station, strictly adhering to the sanitary standards and hygienic regulations.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, kitchen worker responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cleanliness," "food handling," "sanitation standards," and "safety standards." Meanwhile, a catering assistant has duties that require skills in areas such as "food safety," "food delivery," "beverage service," and "banquet event orders." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Catering assistants may earn a higher salary than kitchen workers, but catering assistants earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $33,254. On the other hand, kitchen workers receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $30,650.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Catering assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than kitchen workers. In fact, they're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Kitchen worker vs. Bakery clerk
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.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from kitchen worker resumes include skills like "food service," "patients," "sanitation standards," and "kitchen floors," whereas a bakery clerk is more likely to list skills in "basic math," "bakery products," "math," and "food safety. "
Bakery clerks make a very good living in the retail industry with an average annual salary of $30,395. On the other hand, kitchen workers are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $30,650.bakery clerks typically earn similar educational levels compared to kitchen workers. Specifically, they're 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Kitchen worker vs. Food prep/dishwasher
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.
Types of kitchen worker
Updated January 8, 2025
