A pizza cook makes dough, builds pies, and bakes them in a pizza oven for a pizzeria or restaurant. The role sits on its own station, often the center of the kitchen in a pizza-focused concept. Here is what the job looks like across a shift, in the order it happens.
Opening duties
- Light and heat the oven to the right temperature and confirm it holds steady
- Pull dough from the walk-in or proofing area and let it come to the right temperature
- Stock the make line with sauce, cheese, and toppings for the expected volume
- Check flour, peels, pans, and boxes and refill anything low
- Sanitize the prep table and set up the cutting boards and rollers
During service
- Stretch dough, sauce, and top pizzas to order in the right sequence
- Load pies into the oven and rotate them for even color
- Pull and cut pizzas, then pass them to expo or the counter
- Keep the make line stocked and replace empty containers right away
- Read tickets and online orders and prioritize by timing and order type
- Communicate with drivers and the counter on pickup times and delays
- Wipe the work surface and sweep flour spills to keep the area safe
Closing duties
- Scrape and brush the oven deck and clean around the opening
- Wrap, label, and store leftover toppings and cheese
- Portion and ball the next day's dough and place it in the cooler
- Wash peels, pans, cutters, and small equipment
- Mop the pizza station and note anything running low
Weekly duties
- Deep clean the oven exterior, hood, and make table
- Check and order flour, cheese, and sauce ingredients
- Test dough hydration and fermentation times and adjust for weather changes
- Count boxes and supplies and report on waste or remakes
Writing a posting? The pizza cook job description turns these duties into a ready-to-paste template. For shift planning, try the free restaurant schedule template.