Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
What is a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria prepare and serve meals in institutional settings such as schools, hospitals, and cafeterias. They are responsible for creating nutritious, well-balanced meals that meet dietary guidelines and accommodate the diverse needs of the population they serve, including special dietary restrictions. These cooks work in larger kitchen facilities where they often prepare food in bulk, ensuring efficiency and consistent quality in the meals provided. The role encompasses a variety of tasks, from meal planning and ingredient selection to cooking, plating, and serving food. Cooks in these environments must adhere to strict food safety standards and protocols to ensure the health and safety of patrons. They may also collaborate with nutritionists and dietitians to develop menus and monitor food quality. Additionally, Cooks in Institutions and Cafeterias may supervise kitchen staff, manage inventory, and maintain kitchen equipment to ensure a smooth operation.
Tasks
- 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.
Technology Skills
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Spreadsheet software
- IBM Lotus 1-2-3
- Microsoft Excel
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Data base user interface and query software
- Meals Plus
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Point of sale POS software
- PCS Revenue Control Systems FASTRAK School Meal Software
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Word processing software
- Microsoft Word
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Analytical or scientific software
- GNOME Gnutrition
Tools Used
- Commercial use cutlery
- Commercial use ranges
- Commercial use broilers
- Domestic strainers or colanders
- Commercial use steamers
Knowledge
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Food Production
Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Skills
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Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
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Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Abilities
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Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
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Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
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Bachelor's degree
Work Activities
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Detailed Work Activities
- Monitor food services operations to ensure procedures are followed.
- Inspect facilities, equipment or supplies to ensure conformance to standards.
- Record operational or production data.
- Cook foods.
- Maintain food, beverage, or equipment inventories.
Work Interests
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Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$25290.0 - $47310.0
New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.