Cook
Quick Facts
Median Salary$33,967
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth-6.14%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Cook prepares food in a restaurant or institutional kitchen. May be responsible for a specific station or type of food preparation in a larger kitchen, or specialize as a short-order or fast-food cook. May prepare meals in private homes, or cater parties.
Core Tasks:
- Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.
- Inspect and clean food preparation areas, such as equipment, work surfaces, and serving areas, to ensure safe and sanitary food-handling practices.
- Portion, arrange, and garnish food, and serve food to waiters or patrons.
- Ensure freshness of food and ingredients by checking for quality, keeping track of old and new items, and rotating stock.
- Season and cook food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience.
- Coordinate and supervise work of kitchen staff.
- Bake, roast, broil, and steam meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods.
- Weigh, measure, and mix ingredients according to recipes or personal judgment, using various kitchen utensils and equipment.
- Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking.
- Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or piercing them with utensils.
- Substitute for or assist other cooks during emergencies or rush periods.
- Wash, peel, cut, and seed fruits and vegetables to prepare them for consumption.
- Bake breads, rolls, cakes, and pastries.
- Carve and trim meats such as beef, veal, ham, pork, and lamb for hot or cold service, or for sandwiches.
What to expect as a Cook
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
23% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Cook related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
28947 openings for Cooks
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
The career progression is an interactive way to explore careers related to Cook. Click on each career to see its associated salary, job availability, skills, and more.