Job description Food Service Helper in Canada

Find out what work is like for a food service helper in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 65201).

Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations

Description

Food counter attendants and food preparers prepare, heat and finish cooking simple food items and serve customers at food counters. Kitchen helpers, food service helpers and dishwashers clear tables, clean kitchen areas, wash dishes, and perform various other activities to assist workers who prepare or serve food and beverages. They are employed by restaurants, cafés, hotels, fast food outlets, cafeterias, hospitals and other establishments.

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Food counter attendants and food preparers
  • Take customers' orders
  • Clean, peel, slice and trim foodstuffs using manual and electric appliances
  • Use deep fryer, grill, oven, dispensers and other equipment to prepare fast food items such as sandwiches, hamburgers, fries, salads, ice cream dishes, milkshakes and other beverages
  • Portion, assemble, and wrap food or place it directly on plates for service to patrons, and package take-out food
  • Use equipment to prepare hot beverages such as coffee and tea specialties
  • Serve customers at counters or buffet tables
  • Stock refrigerators and salad bars and keep records of the quantities of food used
  • May receive payment for food items purchased.
  • Kitchen helpers
  • Wash and peel vegetables and fruit
  • Wash work tables, cupboards and appliances
  • Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers
  • Unpack and store supplies in refrigerators, cupboards and other storage areas
  • Sweep and mop floors, and perform other duties to assist cook and kitchen staff.
  • Food service helpers
  • Clear and clean tables and trays in eating establishments
  • Bring clean dishes, flatware and other items to serving areas and set tables
  • Replenish condiments and other supplies at tables and in serving areas
  • Remove dishes before and after courses
  • Perform other duties such as scraping and stacking dishes, carrying linen to and from laundry area and running errands.
  • Dishwashers
  • Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, pots and pans using dishwasher or by hand
  • Place dishes in storage area
  • Scour pots and pans, and may clean and polish silverware.

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 65201), and a list of similar occupations:

  • bartender helper
  • bus boy/girl
  • cafeteria counter attendant
  • cook's helper
  • dishwasher
  • fast-food preparer
  • food counter attendant
  • food preparer
  • food service helper
  • ice cream counter attendant
  • kitchen helper
  • salad bar attendant
  • sandwich maker

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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