Food preparers work under the direction of chefs and do the repetitive and regular work of making cold items, salads, dicing and slicing vegetables and make the initial preparations for the cooking of elaborate dishes.
Food Preparers Schools and Degrees
A high school diploma will generally suffice in order to become a food preparer. However, vocational courses and higher degrees always help in the advancement of one’s career.
Job Requirements
Training is a very important requirement for a food preparer. The process begins with learning about workplace safety and cleanliness, and goes on to the details of handling and preparing food. Those who become adept at these basics and show an inclination towards learning the more difficult procedures of cooking may advance to supervisory positions in cooking.
The American Culinary Federation offers various certifications. The standards for these certifications are largely dependent on the experience and formal training level of the candidate. These certifications may have an impact on career advancement and lead to more higher paid positions.
Food preparers need to be able to work as a part of a team, along with being efficient and quick in their jobs. They need to be able to chop, dice, slice and grind vegetables and meat. In addition, a fine sense of smell and taste and creativity can help them excel in their jobs. Personal cleanliness is particularly important, and in many states, food preparers are required to have a certificate testifying that they have no communicable disease.
Nature of Work
Food preparers evaluate and weigh the ingredients required for cooking. They make sauces and even stir and strain soups. After the cooking is done, they clean dishes, utensils and the surrounding work area.
The conditions of work for a food preparer depends greatly on the local laws that regulate the operations of food services. It also depends on the type and quantity of food being prepared. Their job requires them to stand and work for long hours as they are involved in the entire process of food preparation, right from the initial stage of getting the ingredients ready to the final stage of cleaning after the cooking has been done. Food preparers are also susceptible to the hazards of burns and cuts as they have to work with knives, scissors, ovens and burners.
Food Preparers Jobs and Outlook
According to research in 2006, food preparers held about 902,000 jobs in the US. This figure is estimated to grow by fifteen percent in the next ten years. The median annual wage of food preparers is around $17,410.
Job Numbers and Growth
About 902,000 food preparers are employed nationally. Workers can expect a very high level of unemployment, if history can be used as a guide. In 2008, 8% of employees could not find jobs.
Area Job Conditions
Popular locations for food preparers include Missoula (Montana), Alexandria (Louisiana), and New Orleans (Louisiana). Fewer are found in Killeen (Texas), Dalton (Georgia), and Amarillo (Texas).
Workers looking for high salaries should look at Anchorage (Alaska), State College (Pennsylvania), and Las Vegas (Nevada), and should avoid Lafayette (Louisiana), El Paso (Texas), and Wichita Falls (Texas).
Training and Education
Employees often obtain short-term on-the-job training before starting. The percentage of food preparers with college degrees is 7%. Workers with some college (less than a bachelor's degree) represent about 19% of the total. Some employees, about 74%, had a high-school education. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.
Part-Time Work and Self-Employment
Part-time food preparers are 45% of all surveyed. Some workers, about 1%, work for themselves.
Food Preparers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.