Takeover Tracker
32%medium risk

Cooks, Restaurant

Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.

Higher risk than 48% of occupations
Checking for existing plan...

How AI Impacts Each Task

20 tasks analyzed

Inspect and clean food preparation areas, such as equipment and work surfaces, or serving areas to ensure safe and sanitary food-handling practices.

Risk: 45.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 5%

Ensure freshness of food and ingredients by checking for quality, keeping track of old and new items, and rotating stock.

Risk: 77.2%AI: 70EstimatedTime: 4%

Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.

Risk: 70.9%AI: 54.17ObservedTime: 4%

Season and cook food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience.

Risk: 17.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 12%

Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 5%

Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or piercing them with utensils.

Risk: 35.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 5%

Portion, arrange, and garnish food, and serve food to waiters or patrons.

Risk: 45.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 8%

Weigh, measure, and mix ingredients according to recipes or personal judgment, using various kitchen utensils and equipment.

Risk: 59.0%AI: 64.88ObservedTime: 8%

Bake, roast, broil, and steam meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods.

Risk: 57.8%AI: 61.9ObservedTime: 10%

Wash, peel, cut, and seed fruits and vegetables to prepare them for consumption.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 10%

Coordinate and supervise work of kitchen staff.

Risk: 27.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 5%

Estimate expected food consumption, requisition or purchase supplies, or procure food from storage.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 3%

Substitute for or assist other cooks during emergencies or rush periods.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 5%

Consult with supervisory staff to plan menus, taking into consideration factors such as costs and special event needs.

Risk: 35.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 2%

Butcher and dress animals, fowl, or shellfish, or cut and bone meat prior to cooking.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 3%

Prepare relishes and hors d'oeuvres.

Risk: 43.0%AI: 25EstimatedTime: 3%

Carve and trim meats such as beef, veal, ham, pork, and lamb for hot or cold service, or for sandwiches.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 2%

Keep records and accounts.

Risk: 87.2%AI: 95EstimatedTime: 2%

Bake breads, rolls, cakes, and pastries.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 2%

Plan and price menu items.

Risk: 52.4%AI: 63.5ObservedTime: 2%

Skill Impact Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

AI-Resistant Skills (11)

Adaptability/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Service Orientation82%

Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Persuasion80%

Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Negotiation85%

Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Cooks, Restaurant skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.

Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.

Upskill to Reduce Risk

Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-6.8pt risk+$2K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Pluralsightbeginner

Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path

by Pluralsight

30 hours$29/mo4.5Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Monitoring

Estimated Impact

-4.9pt risk+$2K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Courseraintermediate

Leading People and Teams Specialization

by University of Michigan

~6 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Leadership

Estimated Impact

-3.8pt risk+$2K/yr salary

We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.

Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.

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Score History

Risk score over 2 scoring runs

+2.8

overall change

Education & Training

Percentage of workers at each education and training level

Education Level

Less than High School19%
High School Diploma44%
Some College18%
Post-Secondary Certificate11%
Associate's Degree5%
Bachelor's Degree1%
Level 123%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

None10%
Up to 1 month10%
1-3 months8%
3-6 months8%
6 months - 1 year14%
1-2 years23%
2-4 years26%
8-10 years1%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

None1%
Up to 1 month57%
1-3 months22%
3-6 months8%
6 months - 1 year3%
1-2 years9%

Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis