What are some common qualifications of U.S. food service workers?

Food service workers are required to know government regulations regarding food handling and sanitation. In some states, workers are required to become licensed in food handling before they can prepare or serve food. While not mandatory in all restaurants, many employers prefer food service workers to have high school diplomas.

Most food service jobs require employees to participate in on-the-job training. There are additional courses and training programs for some specialty jobs in food service, such as bartending and food preparation. These courses can teach aspiring food service workers some of the basics of the job, but they are generally not required by employers.