Will AI replace Cooks, Restaurant?

AI can do 7% of the work Cooks, Restaurant do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 1 of their 20 tasks, while 3 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 14 physical tasks. 2 still need a person.

AI is already doing this1 · 1% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Plan and price menu items.Mostly automated1% of time

AI could do this next3 · 5% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Estimate expected food consumption, requisition or purchase supplies, or procure food from storage.3% of time
  • Consult with supervisory staff to plan menus, taking into consideration factors such as costs and special event needs.1% of time
  • Keep records and accounts.1% of time

Robots can technically do this14 · 87% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Season and cook food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience.Robots: purpose built settings17% of time
  • Portion, arrange, and garnish food, and serve food to waiters or patrons.Robots: purpose built settings11% of time
  • Bake, roast, broil, and steam meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods.Robots: purpose built settings9% of time
  • Inspect and clean food preparation areas, such as equipment, work surfaces, and serving areas, to ensure safe and sanitary food-handling practices.Robots: purpose built settings9% of time
  • Weigh, measure, and mix ingredients according to recipes or personal judgment, using various kitchen utensils and equipment.Robots: purpose built settings8% of time
  • Wash, peel, cut, and seed fruits and vegetables to prepare them for consumption.Robots: purpose built settings8% of time
  • Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking.Robots: purpose built settings5% of time
  • Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or piercing them with utensils.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Ensure freshness of food and ingredients by checking for quality, keeping track of old and new items, and rotating stock.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Carve and trim meats such as beef, veal, ham, pork, and lamb for hot or cold service, or for sandwiches.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Butcher and dress animals, fowl, or shellfish, or cut and bone meat prior to cooking.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Bake breads, rolls, cakes, and pastries.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Prepare relishes and hors d'oeuvres.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time

Still needs a person2 · 7% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Coordinate and supervise work of kitchen staff.4% of time
  • Substitute for or assist other cooks during emergencies or rush periods.3% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

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What this means

Little of this work suits AI. The bigger change here is robots: today's robots can technically do 89% of the working time, though they are rarely cheap enough to replace people yet.

What to do next

  • Do the 1 task AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 3 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 14 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 2 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Cooks, Fast Food2%Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria6%Cooks, Private Household26%Cooks, Short Order0%Food Preparation Workers5%Fast Food and Counter Workers10%

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