Job description template
Cafeteria Cook Job Description Template
A copy-ready cafeteria cook job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.
Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows cafeteria cooks earn a median of $37,450 ($18.01/hour); the middle 50% earn $32,440–$44,800.
Job title
Cafeteria Cook
Job summary
[Company name] is seeking a dependable cafeteria cook to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will cook large batches, follow standardized recipes and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.
Responsibilities
- Cook large batches
- Follow standardized recipes
- Meet nutrition rules
- Prepare special diets
- Serve meals
- Track temperatures
- Clean kitchens
- Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations
Required qualifications
- No formal educational credential
- Working knowledge of batch cooking and recipe scaling
- Reliability and teamwork
- [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]
Preferred qualifications
- Food handler card
- ServSafe
- School nutrition certificate
- Experience with steam kettles
Skills
- Special diets
- Food safety
- Serving lines
- Cleaning
- Organization
- Care
Work environment and schedule
Cooks work in institutional kitchens. Day shifts, often weekdays at schools.
Pay and benefits
$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]
Equal opportunity
[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.
Tips for a cafeteria cook job posting that attracts applicants
- Use the title candidates search for. “Cafeteria Cook” is the clearest; alternates include Institutional Cook, School Cook, Hospital Cook.
- Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
- Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
- Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of a cafeteria cook so applicants self-select accurately.
- Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Cafeteria Cook training: widens your applicant pool.
Next steps
Screen and interview with our Cafeteria Cook hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.