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Food Service Associate Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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4 min read

A food service associate or a food service worker will prepare, heat and finish cooking food for customers. A food service associate will work at food counters, food trucks, or fast-food restaurants helping with preparing food and cleaning the facility. Some of their duties include taking orders, serving customers, cleaning tables and cleaning kitchen areas.

Food Service Associate job duties and responsibilities

A Food Service Associate should expect to perform many different duties, which can include:

  • Preparing, cooking or heating food for customers.
  • Taking food orders and getting payment from customers.
  • Maintaining cleanliness of workstation, tables and kitchen.
  • Assisting other kitchen staff with their duties.
  • Serving food and beverages to customers while maintaining food and beverage safety protocols.

Hire your next Food Service Associate today.

Post a job

Hire your next Food Service Associate today.

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
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What does a Food Service Associate do?

A food service associate or food service worker helps with preparing food in restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets, cafeterias or hospitals. They serve customers by taking their orders and finishing cooking simple food items such as French fries or beverages. Food service associates also help with cleaning, making sure that tables and counters are clean. They can also help in the kitchen, assisting other kitchen staff with their duties.

Food Service Associates skills and qualifications

A successful food service associate or food service worker will have the following skills and qualifications:

  • Client services or customer service skills
  • Oral and written communication skills
  • Cleaning and sanitization skills
  • Basic math skills
  • Food and beverage safety skills or the ability to learn about food and beverage safety
  • Ability to multitask and organizational skills.

Food Service Associate experience requirements

A successful candidate for a food service associate or food service worker position should have experience in customer service and using a cash register. They will also need experience with food and beverage preparation and keeping a safe work environment. Having experience working in a fast-paced environment is also an asset for the successful food service associate candidate.

Food Service Associate education and training requirements

A food service associate or food service worker will be working directly with customers and need to know how to treat them. They also need to know about food and beverage safety before they start handling any food. A food service worker should have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Food and beverage safety training should be provided with each province having laws about what needs to be taught.

Food Service Associate salary expectation

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Food Service Associate is $16.98 per hour. Salaries for Food Service Associates depend on experience, location and company.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a food service associate is not quite what you are looking for, check out these similar positions that can be found on here. A few examples of job descriptions for similar positions are:

Food Service Associate Job Description FAQs

What qualities make a good Food Service Associate?

A food service associate should have impeccable customer service skills. You want someone who feels comfortable talking to anyone and who can handle serving multiple people at a time. A good food service associate should also be able to keep a clean workstation and make sure that food and beverages go out quickly to all customers.

What are the day-to-day duties of a food service associate?

Food services associates take orders and serve customers their food once it is prepared. They also prepare some of the smaller items on the menu, making sure to keep the facility working smoothly. Food service associates are also in charge of keeping things clean so that the food and beverages are safe for consumption.

What should you look for in a food service associate resume?

When looking at a food service associate or food service worker’s resume, you want to make sure the candidate demonstrates their ability to multitask. A food service associate is in charge of a lot of small tasks throughout the day and needs to keep the facility running smoothly. You should also check that they have a significant amount of customer service experience. A food service associate spends most of their time dealing with customers, so you should look for skills that ensure they are able to do this easily.

What makes a good food service associate job description?

A good job description for a food service associate or food service worker will describe the type of environment they will be working in. There is a big difference between working in a fast food restaurant and a café, so you must make sure that the candidates know what they are applying for. Being able to provide a description of the company and how it operates can allow you to avoid receiving applications from people who may not fit into your establishment.

Create a culture of innovation
Download our free step-by-step guide on encouraging healthy risk-taking
Get the guide

Two chefs, one wearing a red headband, review a laptop and take notes at a wooden table in a kitchen setting.

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Job Description Examples

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