Kid Territory:Jobs: Making the Meals

People come to the Zoo and Park to have a good time, but they sure get hungry! It’s important for Food Service clerks to serve our guests efficiently and with a smile.

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how our juicy hamburgers are put together by one of our many cooks.

Many companies and other groups have parties at our facilities. Our catering staff makes sure everyone gets fed during these catered events.

Chefs are in charge of planning the menus and making sure food is prepared properly at our restaurant facilities and for special parties.

What we do

If it involves food for people, we do it! We work on cash registers taking guests’ orders, we keep the restaurants clean, take inventory, train staff, handle money, plan meals, and prepare and serve all the food, from the cotton candy at the snack stands to the filet mignon prepared for catered functions.

The Food Service Department includes many different jobs. Chefs oversee and manage all of the food that is produced at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, and assist with catered events at their respective facilities. Cooks prepare the food served in our restaurants, cafeterias, food stands, and catered functions. Food service clerks work behind the counters at our food stands and cafeterias, taking orders and serving food. Catering staff assist at special events such as parties or business meetings. Wait staff serve guests in Albert’s, our fine dining restaurant.

What’s cool about this job

First of all, we work for a major conservation organization. That makes us feel good about the work we do. We get free training and opportunities to develop new skills. We can advance through nearly 20 different jobs, from kitchens to warehouse work, based on performance. It’s also a really fun place to work. It’s enjoyable interacting with guests who are vacationing because they seem to be in a happy mood!

As food service staff we are able to work with most of the other departments and their employees. There are a lot of opportunities to make new friends. During our busy summer season there are about 500 employees working in our department, and about 200 who work here year round. And who wouldn’t enjoy helping to plan and run all the neat events that the Zoo and Wild Animal Park host? There is nothing more rewarding than being part of a function that goes beyond the expectations of the people who are hosting and attending.

Job challenges

There are two major centralized kitchens at the Zoo, and one kitchen at the Wild Animal Park. This can sometimes be interesting, as the location of these kitchens compared to the locations of the catered events present challenges in delivering the food, but somehow we always make it work out just fine! We’ve also adapted to prepare a little bit of food in each of the other small kitchens throughout the Zoo and Park.

Our work requires good customer service. We need to represent the Zoological Society of San Diego well, and be patient and helpful with the guests. Usually, that’s easy. But with guests coming from all over the world and speaking so many different languages, occasionally communication can be a bit harder.

Finally, sometimes the number of people we’re serving presents a challenge. We do catered events for up to 5,000 people at a time—whew!

How this job helps animals

Even though we don’t get to work with the animals, the work we do contributes to the mission of the Society, which in turn helps the animals. Because the Society is a nonprofit organization, proceeds from food sales go into helping maintain and care for the animals. We like to say that the Food Service Department not only feeds people, but “feeds the animals” through its sales.

How to get a job like this

Food service staff has to be outgoing and not afraid to talk to strangers. This department is always looking for people who aren’t afraid to work hard. Several times each year, the Zoological Society holds job fairs during which we hire many employees into entry-level positions in the Food Service Department.

Food service clerks do not require previous experience, but we do look for people who have a cheerful disposition, are comfortable working with the public, and have a well-groomed appearance. Other jobs in food service require experience. That can come in the form of hospitality courses, math classes, cooking classes, and even retail situations that lead to experience using a cash register. Working in different kitchens to pick up the tricks of the trade would be essential for a job as a cook or a chef. The chef position also requires diverse knowledge of all cuisines and the flexibility to prepare food under "creative" conditions. A chef has to balance several things every day in order to be successful: purchases, food production, and managing employees. Being extremely organized is mandatory!

There’s always something new to learn that will help you become a great food service employee. There certainly is a lot on our plates!