Position Overview
Food preparation assistants provide support to food preparers in handling a wide variety of food preparation activities, within restaurants, cafeterias, and other such food service facilities.
They are required to handle many tasks at the same time, all of which lead to the preparation of food items on a menu.
Position Requirements
A high school diploma or a GED equivalent is sufficient to work as a food preparation assistant. Prior experience or exposure to the food service industry is important if you want to work at this position.
Many food preparation assistants are also hired at the entry level, but if you have some previous experience, you will be considered a great hire. It is important for people working in this position to be knowledgeable about food preparation in general, and specifically in sync with the facility where they will be working.
Knowledge of different food items, garnishing activities, and food presentation are important while working in this position. Moreover, you have to remain in sync with the work of other people alongside whom you will be working, such as food preparers, and cooks, so that you are on the same page as they are.
Working as a food preparation assistant can be tricky since you will be working with food items, and it is imperative that you keep food hygiene a priority. To see what specific job duties you may be expected to perform in this role, have a look at the following list:
Sample Job Description for Food Preparation Assistant Resume
• Look through customers’ orders to determine what food preparation activities are required.
• Clean and sanitize workplaces such as counters and tables, to make them ready for food preparation activities.
• Store food items in designated containers in fridges, pantries, and other storage areas.
• Clean and wash meats, vegetables, and fruits, and place them aside for food preparation work.
• Prepare a wide array of food items, such as salads and soups, and assist in making desserts.
• Record temperatures of food items to ensure that they are stored in proper areas, and are rotated on a constant basis.
• Handle portioning activities, and check to see if portions are created according to specified standards.
• Ascertain that prepared food items are placed on hot plates, to keep them warm until it is time to serve them.
• Place prepared food items on trays or trolleys, and coordinate with waiters and servers to ensure timely delivery to customers.
• Perform preventative and regular maintenance on kitchen equipment, such as refrigerators, fryers, grills, cooking ranges, and hot plates.