Index
Intro
Workers in this unit group include counter attendants, food preparers, kitchen helpers, food service helpers and dishwashers. Counter attendants and food preparers prepare, heat and finish cooking simple food items and serve customers at food counters. Kitchen helpers, food service helpers and dishwashers clear tables, clean kitchen areas, wash dishes, and perform various other activities to assist workers who prepare or serve food and beverages. They are employed by restaurants, cafes, hotels, fast food outlets, cafeterias, hospitals and other establishments.
There is considerable mobility among jobs in this unit group.
Movement into other occupations within food preparation and service, such as cook or waiter, is possible with further training and experience.
Main Duties
Food counter attendants and food preparers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Take customers’ orders
- Clean, peel, slice and trim foodstuffs using manual and electric appliances
- Use deep fryer, grill, oven, dispensers and other equipment to prepare fast food items such as sandwiches, hamburgers, fries, salads, ice cream dishes, milkshakes and other beverages
- Portion, assemble, and wrap food or place it directly on plates for service to patrons, and package take-out food
- Use equipment to prepare hot beverages such as coffee and tea specialties
- Serve customers at counters or buffet tables
- Stock refrigerators and salad bars and keep records of the quantities of food used
- May receive payment for food items purchased.
Kitchen helpers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Wash and peel vegetables and fruit
- Wash work tables, cupboards and appliances
- Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers
- Unpack and store supplies in refrigerators, cupboards and other storage areas
- Sweep and mop floors, and perform other duties to assist cook and kitchen staff.
Food service helpers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Clear and clean tables and trays in eating establishments
- Bring clean dishes, flatware and other items to serving areas and set tables
- Replenish condiments and other supplies at tables and in serving areas
- Remove dishes before and after courses
- Perform other duties such as scraping and stacking dishes, carrying linen to and from laundry area and running errands.
Dishwashers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, pots and pans using dishwasher or by hand
- Place dishes in storage area
- Scour pots and pans, and may clean and polish silverware.
Employment Requirements
- Some secondary school education is usually required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
All Titles
- airline food assembler
- attendant, cafeteria-buffet
- attendant, food service counter
- attendant, take-out – fast food
- bar helper
- barista
- bartender helper
- bus boy/girlbus boy, bus girl
- cafeteria counter attendant
- cafeteria helper
- cafeteria worker
- cafeteria-buffet attendant
- camp cook’s helper
- camp lunchroom attendant
- caterer helper
- cook’s helper
- cook’s helper, camp
- cook’s helper, logging camp
- counter attendant – food service
- counter attendant, cafeteria
- counter attendant, lunchroomlunchroom counterman, lunchroom counterwoman
- counter attendant, restaurant
- counterperson – food services
- dessert maker
- dessert preparer
- dietary aide
- dining room assistant
- dining room attendant
- dishwasher
- dishwashing machine attendant
- donut shop attendant
- donut shop clerk
- donut shop counter clerk
- doughnut shop attendant
- doughnut shop clerk
- doughnut shop counter clerk
- drive-in food service attendant
- expediter – food services
- fast-food preparer
- fast-food service attendant
- fish and chips preparer
- food and beverage service runner assistant
- food assembler – fast food
- food concession worker
- food counter attendant
- food preparer
- food runner
- food service attendant
- food service counter attendant
- food service helper
- food service worker
- helper, bar
- hospital meal attendant
- hospital tray carrier
- hot dog vendor
- ice cream counter attendant
- ice cream vendor
- kitchen helper
- logging camp cook’s helper
- lunchroom counter attendant
- lunchroom counterman/woman
- meal attendant, hospital
- popcorn vendor
- pot washer
- restaurant counter attendant
- salad and sandwich maker
- salad bar attendant
- salad maker
- sandwich artist
- sandwich maker
- sandwich, salad and dessert maker
- silverware cleaner
- snack bar attendant
- steam table attendant – food services
- street food vendor
- sushi preparer
- take-out attendant – fast food
- tray carrier attendant, hospital
- tray carrier, hospital
Exclusions
- Chefs (6321)
- Cooks (6322)
- Food and beverage servers (6513)
- Food service supervisors (6311)