Cutting and prep
Chef / Cook · Fast-food / Central Kitchen Cook
“Cutting and prep” (Chef / Cook) was largely replaced by AI in 2026, after AI entered in 2015.
What this task is
Cooks wash, peel, slice and dice vegetables and meat in the back kitchen, portioning ingredients according to each recipe so they are ready to use once service begins.
How AI replaces it
Central kitchens use automated vegetable cutters, meat slicers and washing-peeling lines to process ingredients in bulk for delivery to outlets, spreading through chains from 2015. By 2026 most cutting and prep for fast food and catering is done by machines.
What stays human
Specialized knife work, small varied batches and premium ingredients still need skilled cooks; other staff move toward running and cleaning equipment, quality control and food-safety management.