Cooks, Short Order Go Back to List Prepare and cook to order a variety of foods that require only a short preparation time. May take orders from customers and serve patrons at counters or tables.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Point of sale POS software

Tasks
	Clean food preparation equipment, work areas, and counters or tables.
	Plan work on orders so that items served together are finished at the same time.
	Grill, cook, and fry foods such as french fries, eggs, and pancakes.
	Take orders from customers and cook foods requiring short preparation times, according to customer requirements.
	Grill and garnish hamburgers or other meats, such as steaks and chops.
	Complete orders from steam tables, placing food on plates and serving customers at tables or counters.
	Order supplies and stock them on shelves.
	Accept payments, and make change or write charge slips as necessary.
	Restock kitchen supplies, rotate food, and stamp the time and date on food in coolers.
	Perform food preparation tasks, such as making sandwiches, carving meats, making soups or salads, baking breads or desserts, and brewing coffee or tea.

Skills
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Knowledge
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
	Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
	Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
	Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
	Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

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Education & Training   Education:   Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.   Related Experience:   Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $40,523.00 $19.48  $16.47  $16.85 - $21.04  Bridgeport/Stamford $42,352.00 $20.36  $17.51  $17.98 - $23.06  Hartford $39,906.00 $19.19  $16.58  $16.85 - $20.65  New Haven $44,693.00 $21.49  $17.28  $17.64 - $26.97  New London/Norwich $36,164.00 $17.39  $15.97  $16.63 - $17.26  Waterbury $37,784.00 $18.17  $16.17  $16.40 - $19.71

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   180   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow faster than average, and the number of annual openings will offer good or favorable job opportunities.

Related Occupations
	Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
	Cooks, Fast Food
	Cooks, Restaurant
	Food Preparation Workers
	Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
	Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
	Waiters and Waitresses
	Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
	Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
	Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.