Cooks, Short Order
Food Preparation and Serving Related
Grills, fries, and assembles foods that cook quickly—eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, fries—then plates them so items ordered together finish at the same time. Work happens at the grill and steam table, with orders taken from customers and served at counters or tables. Throughout the shift, supplies are restocked, cooler stock is rotated and dated, and equipment, work areas, and dining spaces are cleaned. Suits people who like fast, hands-on cooking, timing several orders at once, and mixing kitchen work with brief customer contact.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$35'880
Median Wage Market Position
$35'880
What you might do
- Grill eggs, pancakes, and french fries
- Take orders and cook them to request
- Plate food and serve it at the counter
- Time dishes so they finish together
- Make sandwiches, soups, salads, or coffee
- Restock supplies and date food in coolers
Skills that matter
- Planning orders so items finish together
- Taking orders and cooking to each request
- Grilling eggs, pancakes, and fries to order
- Date-stamping and rotating cooler stock
- Serving customers at counters or tables
- Reading orders and coordinating with coworkers
AI & the future of this role
Fast counter cooking depends on hands-on skill and quick customer exchanges. Kiosks and prep automation may handle simpler steps, but timing, plating, and in-person service still carry much of the job.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details