OCCUPATION: COOK

Name: Leo Escalera

Company: Burrell’s Rib Cage

Thumbs up: “We know a lot of people. I’ve started to learn the catering end of the business. I’ve met people like Michael Jackson and Mike Tyson. Two years ago, we catered the Soul Train Music Awards. This year we did several catering jobs for Michael Jackson, and we’re doing another one for him in January. It’s great working here. The owner (Fred Burrell) teaches me a lot.”

Thumbs down: “I like everything about this job.”

Next step: “To manage some of his (Fred Burrell’s) other stores. Right now, I’m taking care of this store and the one in Irvine.”

Advice: “Learn everything you can about the restaurant and the operation.”

Salary range: $5 to $12 hourly.

Fringe benefits: Most employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, medical and dental insurance.

Hours: Most work is full time, though some opportunity for part-time work exists. Hours may include late evening, holidays and weekends.

Educational and training requirements: Most skills are acquired through on-the-job training.

Size of work force: Large. In Orange County, 6,300 to 8,000 people, or 0.6% of the labor force, work as cooks.

Expected demand: The industry expects a faster-than-average growth rate.

Job description: Cooks prepare, season and cook soups, meats, vegetables, desserts and other foods.

Major employing industries: Restaurants, hotels and caterers.

Advancement: Cooks may be promoted to chef or to supervisory or management positions.

For more information: Call or visit the job service window at any office of the state Employment Development Department. In Orange County, the offices are at 900 E. Pacifico Ave. in Anaheim (714) 978-7421; 233 E. Commonwealth Ave. in Fullerton (714) 680-7800; and 1001 S. Grand Ave. in Santa Ana (714) 558-4294.

Source: Employment Development Department