Pantry chef vs line cook, prep cook

The differences between pantry chefs and line cooks, prep cook can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a pantry chef, becoming a line cook, prep cook takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a line cook, prep cook has an average salary of $32,982, which is higher than the $31,766 average annual salary of a pantry chef.

The top three skills for a pantry chef include salad dressings, kitchen equipment and fine dining. The most important skills for a line cook, prep cook are kitchen equipment, food handling, and culinary.

Pantry chef vs line cook, prep cook overview

	Pantry Chef	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Yearly salary	$31,766	$32,982
Hourly rate	$15.27	$15.86
Growth rate	15%	16%
Number of jobs	20,685	164,756
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 36%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	42	38
Years of experience	6	4

Pantry chef vs line cook, prep cook salary

Pantry chefs and line cooks, prep cook have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Pantry Chef	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average salary	$31,766	$32,982
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $47,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	WESTWOOD COUNTRY CLUB OF AUSTIN
Best paying industry	-	Retail

Differences between pantry chef and line cook, prep cook education

There are a few differences between a pantry chef and a line cook, prep cook in terms of educational background:

	Pantry Chef	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 36%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	Stanford University	-

Pantry chef vs line cook, prep cook demographics

Here are the differences between pantry chefs' and line cooks, prep cook' demographics:

	Pantry Chef	Line Cook, Prep Cook
Average age	42	38
Gender ratio	Male, 59.2% Female, 40.8%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.3% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	9%	6%

Differences between pantry chef and line cook, prep cook duties and responsibilities

Pantry chef example responsibilities.

Integrate key culinary leaders into casino and food and beverage operations, achieving positive results and industry awards.
Table decorating, garnishing meals and platters.
Use FIFO method of product freshness and storage.
Prepare all types of foods, soups and salads for buffets.
Store all items properly, rotating to ensure adherents to FIFO rule.
Prepare for evening buffets as requested as well as setting up food displays.

Line cook, prep cook example responsibilities.

Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
Prepare cold foods, operate ovens, stoves, grills, microwaves, and fryers.
Expedite orders while maintaining food being cook in ovens, griddles, stoves and fryers.
Observe and test foods to determine quality and safety by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and fryers.
Set up and break down for any catering parties or buffets.
Cook foods by baking, roasting, broiling, frying, steaming, grilling.

Pantry chef vs line cook, prep cook skills

Common pantry chef skills

Salad Dressings, 40%
Kitchen Equipment, 25%
Fine Dining, 5%
Food Preparation, 4%
Dishwashers, 3%
Dinner Service, 2%

Common line cook, prep cook skills

Kitchen Equipment, 25%
Food Handling, 11%
Culinary, 10%
Customer Service, 10%
Salad Station, 6%
Line Cooks, 6%

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Pantry Chef
Pantry Chef vs Line Cook, Prep Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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