Food Counter Assistant

Tasks & duties

Food counter assistants may do some or all of the following:

• make food items such as fresh salads, meat, fish and chicken dishes, sandwiches, cakes, slices, pastries, quiches and pies
• take food orders from customers over the counter or phone
• prepare customer orders
• make drinks such as coffee and tea
• answer customers' questions about specialty foods
• weigh and price food for customers and put it into punnets, bags or bowls
• clean and refill the food and drink containers and cabinets
• collect payment and give change, or put a price sticker on the customer's purchase
• serve people at tables and clear and clean tables
• order fresh food from suppliers
• monitor the prices of foods
• monitor the storage temperature of food and the temperature of the food counter area
• supervise other staff and organise work rosters

Skills & knowledge

Food counter assistants need to have:

• knowledge of food and drink preparation and presentation
• knowledge of food hygiene and safety regulations
• excellent customer service and communication skills
• basic maths skills for weighing food and calculating ingredient quantities
• the ability to use kitchen equipment

Depending on where they work, they may need to know about specialty foods and promotions or special offers available.

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements to become a food counter assistant. However, a food hygiene certificate may be useful.

Training on the job

Food counter assistants gain many skills on the job. They may also be sent by their employers to do courses in food handling and hygiene. For further information about training, contact the Hospitality Standards Institute.

Useful experience

Retail work experience is useful, as is any work with food or dealing with customers.

Related courses

Baking and Pastry Making
Food and Beverage Service
Food Hygiene
Hospitality

For more information, please refer to Career Services.