Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

What the job really is

Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.

At a glance

• Sector: Food Preparation & Serving
• O*NET-SOC code: 35-2012
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Bake breads, rolls, or other pastries.
• Monitor and record food temperatures to ensure food safety.
• Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.
• Rotate and store food supplies.
• Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.
• Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons.
• Clean and inspect galley equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation.
• Clean, cut, and cook meat, fish, or poultry.
• Direct activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals.
• Train new employees.
• Take inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Requisition food supplies, kitchen equipment, and appliances, based on estimates of future needs.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Apple corers, Blast chillers, Blenders, Bone saws, Box graters, Braziers, Bread slicers, Broilers, Cappuccino makers, Carbonated beverage dispensers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Cooks, Restaurant
• Food Preparation Workers
• Cooks, Private Household
• Cooks, Short Order
• Chefs and Head Cooks
• Cooks, Fast Food
• Bakers
• Food Service Managers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.