Cook Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post presents in-depth information on the job description of a cook, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they typically perform.

What Does a Cook Do?

A cook, otherwise known as a chef is someone with the responsibility of preparing food for a group of people or for a food service establishment.

Cooks are divided into various categories.

The cook job description entails getting food items ready for other chefs, like chopping of vegetable, getting meats and all ingredients prepared and ready for cooking – these are called the prep cooks; they are always located at the bottom of the kitchen totem pole.

Another category of cooks is the line cook; this group is responsible for doing the main cooking.

The leader of them all is the head chef, who plays the role of the supervisor of the whole cooking process, and even to its serving.

To most people, it sounds like fun to be a cook, but an in-depth look at the nature of the position will show you that being a cook isn’t all glitz and glamour.

The term cook is often used interchangeably with chef, but generally reflects the same thing.

Their job entails working in potentially dangerous environs; they spend most of their cooking hours with a covering on them – from head to toe.

In establishments where they serve seafoods, they should be constantly prepared to smell like old shrimp – that doesn’t really sound fun.

Their job description does not end at just cooking. It involves cleaning and disinfecting tools and items they use in working, this includes counter surfaces, fryers, and grills.

Each cook or chef is assigned a station equipped with the necessary equipment.

Another brutal aspects of this job is the working hours. As a cook, you may be required to work early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and even holidays.

This is one job that does not need any formal education, its requirements dwell more on the cooking skills which can be gotten through experience, a training program, a trade, or vocational school.

Cook Job Description Example/Sample/Template

The position of a cook comes with the responsibilities, duties, and tasks shown in the job description example below:

• Cook / prepare the provided menu items
• Sanitize food preparation and serving areas
• Stir or turn foods to ensure even cooking
• Cook and season food according to recipes
• Test foods before servicing in other to determine if they have been sufficiently cooked – methods employed for this purpose involves smelling, tasting, or piercing them with utensils.
• Prepare, arrange, and serve food to waiters for distribution
• Give estimate of expected food consumption; requisite or purchase supplies
• Consult with supervisory staff as regards menu plans
• Keep records and manage accounts
• Figure out what quantity of food will be needed for a specified period
• Place orders for food supplies when available food is getting low
• Get customers’ orders and prepare food according to specification
• Package foods for serving workers to deliver to customer
• Ensure that the equipment are always in the right condition; report to employer when any fault occurs
• Keep work areas clean and monitor oven temperatures
• Assist other cooks in times of emergencies
• Create and prepare recipes and meals
• Prepare side dishes and desserts
• Perform other tasks as employer requires

Cook Job Description for Resume

When you need to prepare a resume to use in applying for a cook job, the sample job description given above contains the relevant information that you can apply in creating the job experience and other sections of the resume.

To learn how to create a resume for the position, the line cook resume example here will help you out.

Cook Requirements: Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge for Career Success

Like any other job position, there are skills and other qualities expected of an intending cook. These requirements may vary between different establishments; however, here are the common ones with most firms.

• Certificate of completion of any training program in cooking, or vocational school attended gives you an edge over others
• Cooking experience in any food service establishment
• Must possess passion for cooking
• Ability to multitask and display highest possible form of endurance when conditions get tough
• Ability to adhere strictly to directives and instructions from superiors
• Sound mental condition: ability to avoid as much mistakes as possible during work
• Must have integrity and honesty
• Possess good communication skills
• Knowledge of the basic skills involved in cooking; how to prepare recipes offered by the establishment; how to use pans, knives, grills and other cooking equipment
• Must have self confidence to be comfortable with all persons
• Must possess the ability to be flexible
• Ability to work with little or no supervision
• Ability to integrate into a team