O*NET-SOC 35-2021.00

Food Preparation Workers

Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 2 – Some preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Active Listening2.A.1.b3.008/2024
Service Orientation2.B.1.f3.008/2024
Time Management2.B.5.a3.008/2024
Coordination2.B.1.b2.8808/2024
Speaking2.A.1.d2.8808/2024
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a2.7508/2024

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Near Vision1.A.4.a.13.008/2024
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.13.008/2024
Trunk Strength1.A.3.a.43.008/2024
Arm-Hand Steadiness1.A.2.a.12.8808/2024
Finger Dexterity1.A.2.a.32.8808/2024
Manual Dexterity1.A.2.a.22.8808/2024

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.Core6008/2024
Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.Core6008/2024
Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.Core6008/2024
Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.Core6008/2024
Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.Core6008/2024

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Realistic6.4711/2023
Conventional4.2611/2023
Social2.511/2023
Enterprising2.2311/2023
Artistic1.7511/2023
Investigative1.3911/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 2

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.