Should I be a food preparation worker?

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Perhaps a job in food preparation is the right choice for you!

• Do you love food?

• Do you like to cook?

• Do you love restaurants?

• Are you looking for a job?

No formal education is needed to become a food preparation worker. On-the-job training and experience are the best ways to learn.

However, different certifications for food safety are available such as ServSafe and NEHA in the United States. Culinary degrees and certificates are also available at vocational schools, universities, and colleges.

What kind of food do you love?

Search for restaurants or other food service organizations that make food you're passionate about.

Both fine and casual dining are fast-paced environments that focus on customer service, but there's a key difference between them.

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Casual

• Customer experience focuses on efficiency and speed

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Fancy

• The dining experience focuses on creating a relaxing atmosphere

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Coffee Shop

• A fast-paced job that can be thankless at times but you can make it if you're high energy and efficient!

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Grocery Store

• Prepared food sections at a grocery store usually have a more consistent routine through the week

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Bakery

• Focus on quality and uniqueness, and you can experiment more

• Lots of interaction with local customers

Factory

• Focus on speed and consistency

• Usually considered more demanding but may not require a variety of skills

• These might be the most different from the above options

• Consider the working hours, location, customers, and types of food made

Watch this video and learn more about what food preparation workers do every day.

How much do food preparation workers earn?

In the U.S., food preparation workers earn an average of $11.55 per hour or $20,180 per year .

You might like being a food preparation worker if...

• you can work in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment

• you don't mind working weekends or holidays

• you love food and cooking it for people

• you're a team player

• you'd like to be a chef

You might NOT like being a food preparation worker if...

• you have problems standing for long periods of time

• you prefer a 9-5 job or one with a more stable schedule

• you don't enjoy cooking or working with kitchen equipment

• you don't thrive under pressure

Want to learn more?