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.
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.
Ensure freshness of food and ingredients by checking for quality, keeping track of old and new items, and rotating stock.
Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.
Season and cook food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience.
Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking.
Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or piercing them with utensils.
Portion, arrange, and garnish food, and serve food to waiters or patrons.
Weigh, measure, and mix ingredients according to recipes or personal judgment, using various kitchen utensils and equipment.
Bake, roast, broil, and steam meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods.
Wash, peel, cut, and seed fruits and vegetables to prepare them for consumption.
Coordinate and supervise work of kitchen staff.
Estimate expected food consumption, requisition or purchase supplies, or procure food from storage.
Substitute for or assist other cooks during emergencies or rush periods.
Consult with supervisory staff to plan menus, taking into consideration factors such as costs and special event needs.
Butcher and dress animals, fowl, or shellfish, or cut and bone meat prior to cooking.
Prepare relishes and hors d'oeuvres.
Carve and trim meats such as beef, veal, ham, pork, and lamb for hot or cold service, or for sandwiches.
Keep records and accounts.
Bake breads, rolls, cakes, and pastries.
Plan and price menu items.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect and clean food preparation areas, such as equipment and work surfaces, or serving areas to ensure safe and sanitary food-handling practices. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 5% | |
| Ensure freshness of food and ingredients by checking for quality, keeping track of old and new items, and rotating stock. | 70Estimated | 77.2% | 4% | |
| Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters. | 54.17Observed | 70.9% | 4% | |
| Season and cook food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 12% | |
| Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or piercing them with utensils. | 20Estimated | 35.0% | 5% | |
| Portion, arrange, and garnish food, and serve food to waiters or patrons. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 8% | |
| Weigh, measure, and mix ingredients according to recipes or personal judgment, using various kitchen utensils and equipment. | 64.88Observed | 59.0% | 8% | |
| Bake, roast, broil, and steam meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods. | 61.9Observed | 57.8% | 10% | |
| Wash, peel, cut, and seed fruits and vegetables to prepare them for consumption. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 10% | |
| Coordinate and supervise work of kitchen staff. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 5% | |
| Estimate expected food consumption, requisition or purchase supplies, or procure food from storage. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Substitute for or assist other cooks during emergencies or rush periods. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Consult with supervisory staff to plan menus, taking into consideration factors such as costs and special event needs. | 50Estimated | 35.0% | 2% | |
| Butcher and dress animals, fowl, or shellfish, or cut and bone meat prior to cooking. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 3% | |
| Prepare relishes and hors d'oeuvres. | 25Estimated | 43.0% | 3% | |
| Carve and trim meats such as beef, veal, ham, pork, and lamb for hot or cold service, or for sandwiches. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 2% | |
| Keep records and accounts. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 2% | |
| Bake breads, rolls, cakes, and pastries. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 2% | |
| Plan and price menu items. | 63.5Observed | 52.4% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
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/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis