Institution cooks work in the kitchens of schools, cafeterias, businesses, hospitals and other institutions. They prepare food according to predetermined menus. They must plan a balanced diet and prepare the meals as economically as possible. Some cooks may also determine the price of a meal.
Institution Cooks Schools and Degrees
Many school districts provide on-the-job training and summer workshops for cafeteria kitchen workers who wish to become chefs. Food service management companies and hotel and restaurant chains also offer paid internships and summer jobs to those starting out in the field.
The American Culinary Federation accredits more than 200 formal academic training programs and sponsors apprenticeship programs all across the country. Typical apprenticeships last 2 years and combine classroom training and work experience. Accreditation is an indication that a culinary program meets recognized standards regarding course content, facilities and quality of instruction.
Job Requirements
The American Culinary Federation certifies pastry professionals, personal chefs and culinary educators, in addition to various levels of chefs. Certification standards are based primarily on experience and formal training. Although certification is not required, it can help to prove accomplishment and lead to advancement and higher-paying positions.
Institution cooks should be efficient, quick and work well in a team. They should be creative and have an intense sense of taste and smell. Personal cleanliness is essential because most states require health certificates indicating workers are free from communicable diseases.
Nature of Work
Institutional kitchens usually have modern equipment, air conditioning and convenient work areas. Kitchens in older and smaller eating places, however, might not be so well designed. They are required to work in small kitchens against hot stoves and ovens and stand for hours at a time. Work hours can be early mornings, late evenings, holidays and weekends.
Institution Cooks Jobs and Outlook
According to research in 2006, institution cooks held about 401,000 jobs in the U.S. This number is expected to grow by 11% in the next ten years. Employment is the highest in the following industries:
Community Care Facilities for the Elderly
Elementary and Secondary Schools
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Nursing Care Facilities
Special Food Services
The mean hourly wage for institution cooks in the US is about $10.74, while the mean annual wages are around $22,340.
Job Numbers and Growth
The official count of institution cooks in 2008 was 401,000. Workers have recently faced a very high level of unemployment. The unemployment rate for employees? About 9% recently.
Area Job Conditions
You'll see a lot of institution cooks in Hinesville (Georgia), Lawton (Oklahoma), and Weirton (West Virginia), and comparatively fewer in Jacksonville (North Carolina), Holland (Michigan), and Las Vegas (Nevada).
Wages for Workers are highest in El Centro (California), Fairbanks (Alaska), and Hanford (California), and lowest in Alexandria (Louisiana), Lake Charles (Louisiana), and Warner Robins (Georgia).
Training and Education
Employees normally have moderate-term on-the-job training before landing a job. Degrees are held by 5% of current institution cooks. Post-secondary schooling was enough for 19% of workers. Education topped out at high school for 77% of employees. 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 work suffices for 30% of institution cooks. Workers working on their own make up 1% of the total.
Institution Cooks 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.