What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the U.S. earn more than $37,450 a year — the middle 80% land between $28,480 and $49,670. About 441,050 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Service and sales workers earn about ₹15,575 a month on average — around ₹1.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$37,450typical pay / year
441,050people in this work
$49,670+top 10% earn
₹1.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Care2
Control and regulate temperatures
+Walk the walk-in and prep stations, check probe readings on the hot-holding and blast-chill units, log any…
Control and regulate temperatures
+Walk the walk-in and prep stations, check probe readings on the hot-holding and blast-chill units, log any deviations above safe ranges, adjust thermostats or move pans to safe holding and notify maintenance if a unit fails to reach set point.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Apportion and serve food
+Portion tonight’s beef stroganoff and vegetarian lasagna to recipe weights, label trays with portion counts…
Apportion and serve food
+Portion tonight’s beef stroganoff and vegetarian lasagna to recipe weights, label trays with portion counts and allergen notes, stage the plated portions for pass with service temps and instruct servers on guest allergy requests.
The tools that do the workMeals Plusjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record1
Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils
+Run the dish station audit at 10:30 and 15:00, check detergent concentration and rinse temperatures, mark any…
Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils
+Run the dish station audit at 10:30 and 15:00, check detergent concentration and rinse temperatures, mark any scratched pans or warped utensils for replacement, and reassign two stewards to peak wash during the dinner rush.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing1
Rotate and store food supplies
+Rotate the dry store so canned goods and dairy follow first-in-first-out, move near-expiry items to the…
Rotate and store food supplies
+Rotate the dry store so canned goods and dairy follow first-in-first-out, move near-expiry items to the front, update shelf dates on the inventory sheet, and notify Purchasing to delay the tomato delivery arriving Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Make1
Assign specific baking tasks
+Divide tomorrow’s morning bake list into specific tasks: brioche dough and proofing schedule to Sara,…
Assign specific baking tasks
+Divide tomorrow’s morning bake list into specific tasks: brioche dough and proofing schedule to Sara, laminated pastries to Miguel with timings, oven loads and rack assignments noted, and send the schedule to the morning team so everyone knows their station.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOO*NET
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The daily work15
Select adequate ingredients
+Choose ingredients for tonight's 60-cover dinner service that meet our allergy list, cost ceiling of $7.50…
Select adequate ingredients
+Choose ingredients for tonight's 60-cover dinner service that meet our allergy list, cost ceiling of $7.50 per cover, and seasonal availability; prioritise local produce, one gluten-free protein option, and confirm portion weights for each dish.
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Combination of textures
+Compose a three-course menu that balances crisp, creamy and crunchy textures across plates for 40 covers,…
Combination of textures
+Compose a three-course menu that balances crisp, creamy and crunchy textures across plates for 40 covers, note two textural contrasts per course, flag any potential cross-contact risks for allergens, and list prep timing for each element.
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Operate kneading of food products
+Run the dough program for 24 loaves: set mixing and kneading cycles to match our enriched dough formula,…
Operate kneading of food products
+Run the dough program for 24 loaves: set mixing and kneading cycles to match our enriched dough formula, confirm dough temperature targets, monitor hydration adjustments, and record machine safety checks and one staff operator signature.
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Direct activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals.
+Assign Maria and Jamal to prep and plate tonight’s brunch service: Maria on sautés and finishing pans, Jamal…
Direct activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals.
+Assign Maria and Jamal to prep and plate tonight’s brunch service: Maria on sautés and finishing pans, Jamal on salads and sauces; confirm allergen-free station set up, check burners and slicer are cleaned, and brief them at 10:15 am.
The tools that do the workMeals PlusO*NET
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Train new employees.
+Run the two-hour new-hire session with Luis and Aisha at 9 am: demonstrate safe knife skills, show proper…
Train new employees.
+Run the two-hour new-hire session with Luis and Aisha at 9 am: demonstrate safe knife skills, show proper flame control on the line, walk through allergy protocols, then evaluate their mise en place and sign off if competent.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Take inventory of supplies and equipment.
+Walk the dry store and walk-in at 8 am with inventory sheet, count proteins, dairy, produce and smallwares,…
Take inventory of supplies and equipment.
+Walk the dry store and walk-in at 8 am with inventory sheet, count proteins, dairy, produce and smallwares, note damaged items and minimum reorder quantities, then update stock levels and print the purchase requisition.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Determine meal prices, based on calculations of ingredient prices.
+Calculate next month’s lunch pricing by totaling ingredient costs per portion for the chicken wrap, add labor…
Determine meal prices, based on calculations of ingredient prices.
+Calculate next month’s lunch pricing by totaling ingredient costs per portion for the chicken wrap, add labor and overhead percentages, run margin scenarios to hit a 35 percent food cost, and produce final prices for the menu.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Create new food designs and recipes
+Develop a new seasonal grain bowl: test three protein-seasoning combinations, select local vegetables,…
Create new food designs and recipes
+Develop a new seasonal grain bowl: test three protein-seasoning combinations, select local vegetables, document exact weights and cook times, note allergen swaps, photograph the plated dish and write the recipe card.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO
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Mix ingredients
+Mix batter for 24 dinner rolls: weigh flour, water, yeast and butter to the recipe, set mixer speed and mix…
Mix ingredients
+Mix batter for 24 dinner rolls: weigh flour, water, yeast and butter to the recipe, set mixer speed and mix time, record dough temperature, rest times and batch yield, then label the proofing tray.
The tools that do the workGNOME GnutritionESCO
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Monitor cooking process
+Monitor the roast, sauté, and holding temperatures across the line every 15 minutes, log any deviations over…
Monitor cooking process
+Monitor the roast, sauté, and holding temperatures across the line every 15 minutes, log any deviations over 5°C, flag tickets for urgent correction, and text me immediately if any protein fails temperature or timing standards tonight.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Direct workers in task performance
+Direct Sam, Maria, and Tony to finish the sauté station first for the 7pm rush, assign Alex to plating,…
Direct workers in task performance
+Direct Sam, Maria, and Tony to finish the sauté station first for the 7pm rush, assign Alex to plating, require two people on dish at 6:30, and walk the line at 6:45 to confirm mise en place and timing.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO
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Handle kitchen equipment according to the requirements
+Check and confirm that the tilt skillet, combi oven, and fryers are calibrated, safety guards engaged, and…
Handle kitchen equipment according to the requirements
+Check and confirm that the tilt skillet, combi oven, and fryers are calibrated, safety guards engaged, and oil/temp probes functional before service; tag any equipment out of spec and schedule maintenance for first thing tomorrow.
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Apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages
+Verify all batch recipes match our production sheets, confirm yield and portion sizes on the prep line, and…
Apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages
+Verify all batch recipes match our production sheets, confirm yield and portion sizes on the prep line, and adjust ingredient quantities so finished units meet the documented manufacturing requirements for tonight's banquet.
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Apply flame handling regulations
+Enforce flame safety: ensure fryers and range valves are clean and clear, all portable gas cylinders are…
Apply flame handling regulations
+Enforce flame safety: ensure fryers and range valves are clean and clear, all portable gas cylinders are secured, open-flame station has extinguisher and suppressor checked, and log any breaches to be corrected before service.
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Food allergies
+Cross-check tonight's tickets against the allergy list, segregate and label the allergen-free prep area,…
Food allergies
+Cross-check tonight's tickets against the allergy list, segregate and label the allergen-free prep area, brief Line Cooks on substitutions for Emma (peanut allergy) and Jason (dairy-free), and call me if any menu item can't be made safe.
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Says who?
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The logs, files & records this job keeps
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Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses