MightyRecruiterFood preparation workers provide a valuable service to restaurant kitchen staffs by ensuring that all foods are ready to be cooked at the precise moment customers order them. Such workers will often perform these tasks before peak dining hours, slicing meats, washing fruits and vegetables as well as preparing wines, coffee and other drink selections.
While no formal education is needed to perform this role, you’ll notice that the food preparation worker job description template shows that the ideal candidate should still possess certain skills, namely a familiarity with commercial kitchens and proper food handling techniques. He or she should also have good retentive memory.
As food prep workers also spend a good deal of time on their feet, those in such positions should demonstrate good physical endurance. The food preparation worker job description template shown below should give a good idea of the position’s requisite skills and experience.
Food Preparation Worker Job Summary
Working as a food preparation worker for our staff allows you the thrilling experience of getting an up-close view of how a professional kitchen operates. If you’re interested in a career in the culinary arts, this position can be a great stepping stone. You’ll gain valuable skills, experience and insight while also serving as member of well-functioning team aimed at working as one in order to exceed the expectations of our customers. You can watch firsthand as our highly-skilled team of professional chefs prepares dishes in keeping with classical French cuisine, as well as how our wait staff composes meals using a working knowledge of ideal side dish and wine pairings. This position is a valuable member of our kitchen crew and reports directly to our executive chef.
Job Responsibilities
- Prepare fruits, vegetables, meats, doughs, marinades and seasonings for the chefs and line cooks in advance of daily peak dining hours
- Consult both standard stocking requirements as well as pick lists prepared by executive chef to pull items from cold storage to thaw before preparation
- Thoroughly sanitize all kitchen surfaces as well as tools and utensils, and wash and clean all food prior to preparation
- Document all items pulled from storage into the preparation area, detailing any foods and/or liquids (i.e., oils and marinades) that end up going to waste
- Follow the instruction of the executive chef as to the use of leftover food items prepared in excess of daily requirements
- Coordinate with wait staff to determine diner volumes in order to anticipate if and when more prep work needs to be done to accommodate increased demands
- Assist chefs with the preparation of dishes (including retrieving and preparing items for special orders) as needed
- Adhere to the cleaning and equipment breakdown schedules assigned by the executive chef at the end of every shift
Job Skills and Qualifications
Reqiured:
- Must be at least 16 years of age
- Must obtain food handlers permit within three months of hire
- Must be able to lift at least 20 pounds
- Must demonstrate ability to operate kitchen equipment safely and effectively
- Must have good physical endurance
Preferred:
- Prior professional kitchen experience
- Demonstrated inventory management
- Spreadsheet and database development proficiency
Food Preparation Worker Job Responsibilities
When you write the job responsibilities section of your food preparation worker job description, keep in mind that this section is the most extensive you’ll craft. It gives jobseekers an idea of the exact responsibilities and tasks they’ll perform on a daily basis, and as such, they are able to evaluate whether they feel they’re suited to the position. When the job responsibilities section is well-written and engaging, a potential candidate with suitable skills is sure to feel motivated to apply for the job.
To make this part of your food preparation worker job description appeal to jobseekers, start off each bullet point with a strong action verb. This makes the responsibilities seem vibrant and relatable rather than repetitive and boring.
As far as the list itself goes, draft a series of responsibilities that accurately reflects the work but doesn’t go into minute detail. A good general rule of thumb for how many bullet points to include here is a minimum of six to a maximum of eight.
In this list, you can see some examples of food preparation worker job responsibilities
- Prepare a range of food items for consumption based on supervisor guidelines or customer orders
- Follow proper food handling regulations for safety
- Maintain work areas, clean and sanitize according to current food hazard and safety regulations
- Wash, cut, peel and otherwise prepare fruits and vegetables for further cooking or finished dishes
Food Preparation Worker Job Specifications
The job qualifications and skills section of the food preparation worker job description is shorter than the job responsibilities section, but it’s still important to finding the right candidate. Specify and use bullet points to list the exact prerequisites you expect jobseekers to bring to the position. Emphasize the skills you want potential candidates to already possess. This allows jobseekers to opt out if they feel they don’t have what you require.
A best practice is to list the prerequisites all applicants must have to get to the interview stage, as well as some qualifications you prefer but don’t serve as requirements. This helps attract a qualified and varied pool of jobseekers. When you decide which job qualifications and skills to include in the food preparation worker job description, consider the educational requirements you expect and any relevant certifications or additional training, along with other soft skills, such as personality traits you want jobseekers to bring to the position.
Here is a list of food preparation worker job specifications you may want to include in your description:
High school diploma or at least two years of relevant work experience Ability to stand for long periods of time and lift at least 25 pounds Punctual and dependable Candidates who already have food handler’s’ license receive preference
