Food Preparer/Server

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Work Tasks

• Take orders and serve food to people sitting at counters
• Carve meat, serve vegetables and soups, and fill drink glasses
• Make items like milkshakes, ice-cream sundaes, salads, and take-out orders
• Clean counters and equipment and make sure salt and pepper shakers are full
• Work indoors in restaurants, coffee shops, bars, hotels, bowling alleys, and country clubs
• Work with food, ovens, grills, stoves, pots and pans, dishes, utensils, and money

Salary, Size & Growth

• $23,000 average per year ($11.00 per hour)
• A very large occupation (1,454,600 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (0.7% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: On-the-job training
• Skills/Courses: Skills include the ability to get along with customers, to present food in an attractive way, and working well with others.