What is the average salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?

The median salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the US is $35,000, ranging from $25,000 to $45,000.

What skills do Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias need in 2026?

Key skills for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria include: Food Production Knowledge, Food Safety Knowledge, Inventory Management, Data Analysis, Customer Service.

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

Q: How is AI affecting Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs?

AI impact on Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria is rated as Low. Institution and cafeteria cooks are essential for providing nutritious meals in settings like schools and hospitals. While traditional culinary skills remain vital, understanding technology for food management and safety is increasingly important in this role.

AI Impact Analysis

Career Summary

Institution and cafeteria cooks are essential for providing nutritious meals in settings like schools and hospitals. While traditional culinary skills remain vital, understanding technology for food management and safety is increasingly important in this role.

AI Impact Score

Low

Salary Data

Minimum: $25,000
Median: $35,000
Maximum: $45,000

Job Responsibilities

Monitor and record food temperatures to ensure food safety. (AI can assist)
Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.
Rotate and store food supplies. (AI can assist)
Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.
Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons.
Plan menus considering costs, nutritional needs, and customer preferences. (AI can assist)
Train and supervise kitchen staff.

Requirements

Education: High school diploma or equivalent; vocational training in culinary arts is a plus.
Experience: On-the-job training is common; some positions may require prior experience in food preparation.

In-Demand Skills

Food Production Knowledge High
Understanding food preparation techniques and equipment is essential.
Food Safety Knowledge High
Ensuring food is prepared and stored safely to prevent illness.
Inventory Management Medium
Effectively managing food supplies to minimize waste and control costs.
Data Analysis Low
Analyzing data to identify trends and improve menu planning and operations.
Customer Service Medium
Providing excellent service to facility residents, employees, or patrons.
Adaptability High
Adjusting to changing dietary needs and customer preferences.
Technology Literacy Medium
Ability to use software for inventory management, menu planning, and data analysis.

Job Market Demand

AI Integration

AI Co-Pilot Tasks

AI monitors food temperatures in real-time, sending alerts if temperatures fall outside safe ranges.
AI suggests optimal cooking times and temperatures based on food type and quantity.
AI analyzes past consumption data to predict future demand and minimize food waste.
AI generates customized meal plans based on dietary restrictions and nutritional requirements.
AI assists with inventory tracking and ordering, reducing manual effort and errors.
AI provides real-time feedback on cooking techniques and recipes to improve food quality.
AI automates the creation of nutrition labels based on recipe ingredients.

Automation Opportunities

Washing pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.
Basic food preparation tasks like chopping vegetables.
Routine temperature checks and logging.
Inventory counting and stock rotation.
Simple order taking and cashier duties.
Dishwashing tasks.
Following basic standardized recipes.

New Frontiers

AI-powered personalized nutrition planning for institutional residents.
Development of AI-optimized recipes for specific dietary needs.
Management of automated kitchen equipment for large-scale food production.
Creation of AI-driven waste reduction programs in institutional kitchens.
Data analysis of food consumption patterns to improve menu planning.
Remote monitoring and diagnostics of kitchen equipment using AI.
Predictive maintenance of kitchen appliances to prevent downtime.

Recommended Tools

Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet
Used for tracking inventory, managing budgets, and analyzing data.
Meals Plus Database
Software for managing school meal programs and tracking student accounts.
Microsoft Word Word Processing
Used for creating menus, recipes, and other documents.
GNOME Gnutrition Analytical Software
Software for analyzing nutritional content of foods and recipes.
AI Food Safety Monitoring Systems AI Tool
Monitors temperature and other food safety parameters in real-time.
Recipe Recommendation Engines AI Tool
Suggests recipes based on dietary restrictions and available ingredients.
Inventory Management Systems AI Tool
Tracks food inventory and automates ordering processes.

Risks & Considerations

Automation of Routine Tasks
AI and automation could reduce the need for some entry-level food preparation tasks.
Changing Dietary Preferences
Keeping up with evolving dietary trends and customer preferences can be challenging.
Economic Downturns
Economic downturns can lead to budget cuts and reduced staffing in institutional settings.
Increased Health Code Scrutiny
Stringent health code regulations can pose compliance challenges and potential fines.

Career Outlook

The demand for institution and cafeteria cooks is expected to remain relatively stable, with opportunities arising from the need to cater to diverse dietary needs and preferences.