Cook

Explore This Path

Perfect for those passionate about crafting delicious and diverse culinary creations.
Cooks play a vital role in delighting diners and elevating the dining experience.
Explore creativity by experimenting with flavors and designing unique menu items.

💰 Earn $37K-$46K

📚 NO DEGREE REQUIRED

⏱️ 6–12 MONTH TRAINING

📈 17% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

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.

Inspect and clean food preparation areas, such as equipment, work surfaces, and 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.

Scoop

Minimum Education

None

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

6 months to 1 year

Job Openings

257,700 Annually

Median Earnings

$41,400 in California

$35,780 Nationally

$25K

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Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Cook? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@tamiriswenni

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Influencing or leading others
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Speaking
Writing
Monitoring

You value 🙏

Having support
Having freedom
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Cook

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years