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Balam Labs
ISCO-08 3434

Chefs

51.7%
ADI · 181st of 433 · 95% interval 36.0–68.7

An AI agent can at least partly carry out 51.7% of the task time of chefs, and finish 1.5% alone. The barrier that holds most of the rest back is access to the systems the work runs on.

ADI · partial or full51.7%

181st of 433 · interval 36.0–68.7

ADI3 · full delegation1.5%

139th of 433 · interval 0.0–4.8

ADIs · share of time42.0%

177th of 433 · interval 35.5–49.1

Evidence47

task statements rated by two models and weighted by importance and frequency. World employment: 4.0 million.

Task weight by level

How the tasks rate

10%
39%
50%
L0No meaningful role · 9.6%L1Augmentation · 38.7%L2Partial delegation · 50.3%L3Full delegation · 1.5%
Barriers

What stops the agent

Physical presence64%
Accountability23%
Trust and care45%
Access to systems60%

Share of task weight flagged by each barrier; a task can carry several.

47 task statements, heaviest first
Task statement (O*NET occupation)WeightLevelSonnet · HaikuShareHuman timeBarriers
Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.Chefs and Head Cooks5.2%L1L1L225%45 minPhysical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food.Chefs and Head Cooks5.0%L1L1L228%25 minPhysical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems
Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation.Chefs and Head Cooks4.6%L1L1L225%2.5 hPhysical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Inspect supplies, equipment, or work areas to ensure conformance to established standards.Chefs and Head Cooks4.1%L1L1L222%30 minPhysical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Check the quality of raw or cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.Chefs and Head Cooks3.9%L0L0L115%12 minPhysical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Order or requisition food or other supplies needed to ensure efficient operation.Chefs and Head Cooks3.8%L2L2L265%45 minAccess to systems
Check the quantity and quality of received products.Chefs and Head Cooks3.6%L1L1L225%18 minPhysical presence, Access to systems
Estimate amounts and costs of required supplies, such as food and ingredients.Chefs and Head Cooks3.3%L2L2L378%1.3 hAccess to systems
Plan, direct, or supervise food preparation or cooking activities of multiple kitchens or restaurants in an establishment such as a restaurant chain, hospital, or hotel.Chefs and Head Cooks3.2%L2L2L238%3.0 hPhysical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Determine how food should be presented and create decorative food displays.Chefs and Head Cooks3.1%L1L1L228%1.3 hPhysical presence
Determine production schedules and staff requirements necessary to ensure timely delivery of services.Chefs and Head Cooks3.0%L2L2L258%1.3 hAccess to systems
Record production or operational data on specified forms.Chefs and Head Cooks3.0%L2L2L255%20 minPhysical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Prepare and cook foods of all types, either on a regular basis or for special guests or functions.Chefs and Head Cooks2.8%L0L0L19%2.0 hPhysical presence, Accountability, Trust and care
Analyze recipes to assign prices to menu items, based on food, labor, and overhead costs.Chefs and Head Cooks2.5%L2L2L378%1.4 hAccess to systems
Meet with customers to discuss menus for special occasions, such as weddings, parties, or banquets.Chefs and Head Cooks2.5%L2L2L248%1.3 hTrust and care
Show the other 32 tasks
Task statement (O*NET occupation)WeightLevelSonnet · HaikuShareHuman timeBarriers
Coordinate planning, budgeting, or purchasing for all the food operations within establishments such as clubs, hotels, or restaurant chains.Chefs and Head Cooks2.4%L2L2L255%6.0 hAccountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Collaborate with other personnel to plan and develop recipes or menus, taking into account such factors as seasonal availability of ingredients or the likely number of customers.Chefs and Head Cooks2.3%L2L2L258%2.5 hTrust and care, Access to systems
Demonstrate new cooking techniques or equipment to staff.Chefs and Head Cooks2.2%L1L1L222%1.3 hPhysical presence, Trust and care
Arrange for equipment purchases or repairs.Chefs and Head Cooks2.1%L2L2L260%1.8 hAccess to systems
Meet with sales representatives to negotiate prices or order supplies.Chefs and Head Cooks2.0%L2L2L255%52 minPhysical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems
Recruit and hire staff, such as cooks and other kitchen workers.Chefs and Head Cooks1.9%L2L2L252%6.5 hPhysical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Assess nutritional needs of patients, plan special menus, supervise the assembly of regular and special diet trays, and oversee the delivery of food trolleys to hospital patients.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers · supplemental task1.6%L2L2L240%1.8 hPhysical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Compile and balance cash receipts at the end of the day or shift.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers · supplemental task1.6%L2L2L255%25 minPhysical presence, Access to systems
Forecast staff, equipment, and supply requirements, based on a master menu.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers · supplemental task1.5%L2L2L375%1.8 hAccess to systems
Estimate ingredients and supplies required to prepare a recipe.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers · supplemental task1.5%L3L3L390%20 min–
Perform food preparation and serving duties, such as carving meat, preparing flambe dishes, or serving wine and liquor.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers · supplemental task1.4%L0L0L04%22 minPhysical presence, Accountability, Trust and care
Supervise and participate in kitchen and dining area cleaning activities.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1.4%L0L0L112%1.0 hPhysical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Assign duties, responsibilities, and work stations to employees in accordance with work requirements.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1.4%L2L2L258%25 minTrust and care, Access to systems
Record production, operational, and personnel data on specified forms.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers · supplemental task1.4%L2L2L262%30 minAccess to systems
Present bills and accept payments.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1.4%L1L1L122%5 minPhysical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems
Perform various financial activities, such as cash handling, deposit preparation, and payroll.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1.4%L2L2L248%1.3 hPhysical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Train workers in food preparation, and in service, sanitation, and safety procedures.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1.4%L1L1L238%1.8 hPhysical presence, Accountability, Trust and care
Specify food portions and courses, production and time sequences, and workstation and equipment arrangements.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1.3%L2L2L262%1.3 hPhysical presence, Access to systems
Perform personnel actions, such as hiring and firing staff, providing employee orientation and training, and conducting supervisory activities, such as creating work schedules or organizing employee time sheets.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers · supplemental task1.3%L2L2L252%2.0 hPhysical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Resolve customer complaints regarding food service.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1.3%L1L1L238%15 minPhysical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems
Greet and seat guests, and present menus and wine lists.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1.3%L1L1L115%8 minPhysical presence, Trust and care
Analyze operational problems, such as theft and wastage, and establish procedures to alleviate these problems.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1.3%L2L2L255%4.0 hPhysical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems
Control inventories of food, equipment, smallware, and liquor, and report shortages to designated personnel.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1.3%L2L2L245%1.0 hPhysical presence, Access to systems
Observe and evaluate workers and work procedures to ensure quality standards and service, and complete disciplinary write-ups.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1.2%L1L1L230%52 minPhysical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems
Recommend measures for improving work procedures and worker performance to increase service quality and enhance job safety.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1.2%L1L1L248%1.8 hPhysical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems
Purchase or requisition supplies and equipment needed to ensure quality and timely delivery of services.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers · supplemental task1.2%L2L2L262%52 minAccess to systems
Inspect supplies, equipment, and work areas to ensure efficient service and conformance to standards.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1.2%L1L1L118%38 minPhysical presence, Accountability, Access to systems
Schedule parties and take reservations.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers · supplemental task1.1%L2L3L272%18 minAccess to systems
Conduct meetings and collaborate with other personnel for menu planning, serving arrangements, and related details.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers · supplemental task1.1%L1L1L235%1.0 hPhysical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems
Develop departmental objectives, budgets, policies, procedures, and strategies.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers · supplemental task0.9%L2L2L260%4.0 hAccess to systems
Develop equipment maintenance schedules and arrange for repairs.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers · supplemental task0.9%L2L2L258%2.0 hPhysical presence, Access to systems
Evaluate new products for usefulness and suitability.First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers0.8%L1L1L245%1.8 hPhysical presence, Access to systems

Level: consensus of the two models (the lower level when they disagree). Share: part of the task’s working time an agent could take over. Human time: minutes a competent person needs for one instance, as estimated by the models.

Against other measures

Exposure is not delegation

MeasureValuePercentile
ADI (this index)51.7%58
Eloundou et al. (2024), GPT exposure β0.32251
Felten et al. (2021), AI occupational exposure-0.26445
Webb (2020), AI patent exposure22.66714
Eisfeldt et al. (2026), generative AI exposure0.19856
Anthropic Economic Index, observed use0.01947

Earlier indices measure whether AI can touch a task; ADI measures how much of it an agent can carry out from a goal. – : the source does not cover this occupation.

Same sub-major group (34)

Neighbouring occupations

Dashed line: chefs (51.7%).

Cite this record
Text

Espinal Maya, Cristian, and Santiago Jiménez Londoño. 2026. ADI v2026.1: Agent Delegability Index data, code and MCP server. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23552918. Record: Chefs (ISCO-08 3434), https://balamlabs.org/adi/occupations/3434

BibTeX
@misc{espinal2026adidata,
  title     = {{ADI} v2026.1: Agent Delegability Index data, code and {MCP} server},
  author    = {Espinal Maya, Cristian and Jim{\'e}nez Londo{\~n}o, Santiago},
  year      = {2026},
  publisher = {Zenodo},
  version   = {v2026.1},
  doi       = {10.5281/zenodo.23552918},
  url       = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23552918},
  note      = {Record: Chefs (ISCO-08 3434)}
}
Machine-readable

The same record as static JSON, with its citation: /adi/v2026.1/isco/3434.json.