Short-order cooks prepare food in restaurants that emphasize fast service.

Short-order cooks focus on serving food quickly to their customers. They may work in:

• Coffee shops
• Diners
• Restaurants

Short-order cooks only need to know how to prepare certain popular items. They often prepare several foods at once. For example, while grilling hamburgers, they may also be frying eggs or heating French fries. In fast food restaurants, cooks may only prepare one item such as hamburgers, French fries, or fried chicken.

To prepare for busy times, cooks may slice meats or vegetables and make soups or salads in advance. Sometimes they cook food ahead of time and keep it warm until it's sold.

Cooks also clean the grills, counters, and floors. Some may order supplies and place items on shelves.

In smaller restaurants cooks may take customers' orders and serve the food. They may also accept payment and make change.