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How exposed to AI is a Food Preparation Worker?

Of the 31 tasks O*NET lists for food preparation workers, 0 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 28 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
CookCook AideDeli Clerk (Delicatessen Clerk)Diet AideDietary AideFood Prep (Food Preparer)Food Service AideFood Service Worker (FSW)Line CookNutrition Aide
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
31
tasks rated for this occupation
4%
hold a degree, from a survey of only 17
783k
people do this job in the US
12 of 16
least protected in food preparation

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Only with software built on top

3
  • Distribute food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers
  • Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items
  • Keep records of the quantities of food used

Cannot be sped up

28
  • Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware
  • Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage
  • Portion and wrap food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons
  • Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers
  • Prepare a variety of foods, such as meats, vegetables, or desserts, according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures
  • Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets
  • Package take-out foods or serve food to customers
  • Stock cupboards and refrigerators, and tend salad bars and buffet meals
  • Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving
  • Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas
  • Cut, slice or grind meat, poultry, and seafood to prepare for cooking
  • Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers
  • Receive and store food supplies, equipment, and utensils in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas
  • Weigh or measure ingredients
  • Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items
  • Add cutlery, napkins, food, and other items to trays on assembly lines in hospitals, cafeterias, airline kitchens, and similar establishments
  • Use manual or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice, and trim foods
  • Scrape leftovers from dishes into garbage containers
  • Load dishes, glasses, and tableware into dishwashing machines
  • Make special dressings and sauces as condiments for sandwiches
  • Mix ingredients for green salads, molded fruit salads, vegetable salads, and pasta salads
  • Operate cash register, handle money, and give correct change
  • Vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor
  • Assemble meal trays with foods in accordance with patients' diets
  • Distribute menus to hospital patients, collect diet sheets, and deliver food trays and snacks to nursing units or directly to patients
  • Stir and strain soups and sauces
  • Butcher and clean fowl, fish, poultry, and shellfish to prepare for cooking or serving
  • Prepare and serve a variety of beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.