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O*NET detailed work activityCook foods
Stays humanHands-on work
12 jobs24 tasks
This is physical, in-person work with real objects, tools, equipment and places that change from day to day. AI can't do it for you.
Part of Prepare foods or beverages, under the O*NET work activity group Handling and Moving Objects. Individual tasks below can carry a different label when their own wording calls for it (0 AI-ready, 0 AI-assist, 24 stays human).
Tasks built on this activity
- Season and cook food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience.
- Read food order slips or receive verbal instructions as to food required by patron, and prepare and cook food according to instructions.
- Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the exact number of items ordered by each customer, working on several different orders simultaneously.
- Grill, cook, and fry foods such as french fries, eggs, and pancakes.
- Bake, roast, broil, and steam meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods.
- Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.
- Prepare specialty foods, such as pizzas, fish and chips, sandwiches, or tacos, following specific methods that usually require short preparation time.
- Operate large-volume cooking equipment, such as grills, deep-fat fryers, or griddles.
- Prepare food items, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, or beverages.
- Grill and garnish hamburgers or other meats, such as steaks and chops.
- Prepare meals in private homes according to employers' recipes or tastes, handling all meals for the family and possibly for other household staff.
- Prepare daily food items, and cook simple foods and beverages, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, pizza, or coffee, using proper safety precautions and sanitary measures.
- Cook and package batches of food, such as hamburgers or fried chicken, prepared to order or kept warm until sold.
- Pre-cook items, such as bacon, to prepare them for later use.
- Prepare a variety of foods, such as meats, vegetables, or desserts, according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures.
- Stir and strain soups and sauces.
- Prepare and cook foods of all types, either on a regular basis or for special guests or functions.
- Take orders from customers and cook foods requiring short preparation times, according to customer requirements.
- Make special dressings and sauces as condiments for sandwiches.
- Prepare relishes and hors d'oeuvres.
- Prepare appetizers such as pickles, cheese, and cold meats.