Short Order Cook

Your Fit

Income

$36K

Preparation

Some

Growth

-6.1%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Short Order Cook?

A Short Order Cook specializes in quickly preparing and serving simple dishes, often in casual dining settings like diners, cafes, and fast-food restaurants. They are adept at efficiently cooking and presenting a variety of foods in a fast-paced environment.

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Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Short Order Cook.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

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How much does a Short Order Cook earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$24K per year	$30K per year	$36K per year	$40K per year	$46K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $14K below the national average.

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What does a Short Order Cook do?

Work environment

Short Order Cooks typically work in small kitchens of diners, fast-food establishments, cafes, or food trucks. The work environment is fast-paced and can be hectic, especially during peak dining hours. These cooks often work in tight spaces and under time pressure to deliver meals promptly.

Quick task list

Quickly prepares and cooks a variety of simple dishes.
Operates various kitchen equipment like grills, fryers, and microwaves.
Manages kitchen inventory and ensures ingredients are fresh.
Maintains cleanliness and sanitation in the cooking area.
Adapts to customer preferences and special dietary requests.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Grill Cooking: Focusing on grilled items like burgers, steaks, and sandwiches.
Breakfast Cooking: Specializing in breakfast items such as eggs, pancakes, and waffles.
Fryer Operations: Concentrating on deep-fried foods like fries, onion rings, and chicken.
Healthy and Diet-Specific Cooking: Catering to health-conscious or dietary-restricted customers.

Description

The role of a Short Order Cook demands speed, efficiency, and the ability to handle multiple orders simultaneously. These cooks must have a good memory and be able to work quickly without sacrificing the quality of the food. Precision and attention to detail are crucial, as is the ability to adapt to fast-paced changes, such as switching between different types of orders and accommodating special customer requests.

This occupation requires minimal formal education, making it accessible to many. It offers valuable experience in food preparation and kitchen management, which can be beneficial for career progression in the culinary field. Short Order Cooks often develop excellent time management and multitasking skills, essential in any fast-paced work environment.

While the job can be demanding with its fast pace and high volume of orders, it offers a unique sense of accomplishment and immediacy. Seeing customers enjoy the food prepared is often a source of job satisfaction. Additionally, the position can offer flexibility in terms of hours, which might be appealing to those seeking non-traditional work schedules.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

The fast-paced nature of the work, providing a dynamic and engaging environment.
The immediate satisfaction of seeing customers enjoy the food.
Opportunities to develop and refine culinary skills quickly.

You might make a good Short Order Cook if you are...

Able to work efficiently and accurately under pressure.
Skilled at multitasking and managing multiple orders simultaneously.
A quick learner, adaptable to various cooking techniques and recipes.
Enjoy working in a team-oriented kitchen environment.
Interested in a culinary career and eager to gain practical cooking experience.

Pros:

Fast-paced work environment that's constantly engaging.
Opportunity to develop a wide range of cooking skills quickly.
Flexible hours, often with options for part-time work.
A stepping stone for further culinary career opportunities.

Cons:

High-pressure and potentially stressful during peak times.
Physically demanding, requiring long periods of standing.
Typically lower wages compared to other culinary positions.
Limited creative expression in food preparation.

How to become a Short Order Cook

Typical education

Formal education beyond a high school diploma is not typically required. Most skills are acquired through on-the-job training. Some short order cooks may attend culinary school or participate in vocational training programs, but this is not mandatory.

High school preparation

Courses:

Home Economics or Culinary Arts to learn basic cooking skills.
Time Management or Organizational Skills classes.
Basic Business or Math for understanding inventory and portion control.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in cooking clubs or culinary competitions.
Working part-time or summer jobs in food service or restaurants.
Volunteering for catering events or community kitchens.

Preparation after high school

Vocational training or culinary school for those seeking formal education.
Entry-level positions in kitchens to gain practical experience.
Short courses or workshops in specific cooking skills or food safety.

More resources

National Restaurant Association (NRA) - Offers resources and information about careers in the restaurant industry.
American Culinary Federation (ACF) - Provides educational resources and certification programs for various culinary professions.
ServSafe - Offers training and certification in food safety, a crucial aspect of kitchen work.
Culinary Institute of America (CIA) ProChef Certification - Offers certification programs that can enhance a cook's skills and credentials.

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