Food Preparation Workers

How AI is changing food preparation workers work

2 of 22 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use yet) — 9%. 2 newer tasks are not in the data yet and left out.

This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.

Tasks in this job and recorded AI use

• Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage (main task) — some recorded AI use
• Weigh or measure ingredients (main task) — some recorded AI use
• Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Wash, peel, and cut various foods (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Prepare a variety of foods (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Assemble meal trays with foods following patients' diets (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Stock cupboards and refrigerators, and tend salad bars and buffet meals (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Use manual or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice, and trim foods (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Load dishes, glasses, and tableware into dishwashing machines (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Portion and wrap food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons (main task) — too new for the AI data
• Add cutlery, napkins, food, and other items to trays on assembly lines in hospitals, cafeterias, airline kitchens, and similar establishments (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Prepare and serve a variety of beverages (main task) — too new for the AI data
• Mix ingredients for green salads, molded fruit salads, vegetable salads, and pasta salads (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Receive and store food supplies, equipment, and utensils in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Stir and strain soups and sauces (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Make special dressings and sauces as condiments for sandwiches (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Scrape leftovers from dishes into garbage containers (main task) — no recorded AI use
• Keep records of the quantities of food used — some recorded AI use
• Distribute food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers — no recorded AI use
• Operate cash register, handle money, and give correct change — no recorded AI use
• Distribute menus to hospital patients, collect diet sheets, and deliver food trays and snacks to nursing units or directly to patients — no recorded AI use
• Package take-out foods or serve food to customers — no recorded AI use
• Cut, slice or grind meat, poultry, and seafood to prepare for cooking — no recorded AI use
• Butcher and clean fowl, fish, poultry, and shellfish to prepare for cooking or serving — no recorded AI use

Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).

Your first steps (guidance)

1. Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
2. Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage”. Try the prompt for: “Weigh or measure ingredients”.

Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.

Questions about AI and food preparation workers

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