Also called: kitchen prep, food prep cook
What a prep cook does
A prep cook does the behind-the-scenes work that makes service possible. You cut vegetables, portion proteins, make stocks and sauces, and stock the line from a daily prep list written by the sous chef. Most of your shift happens before the doors open. You work to a recipe, label and date everything, and keep the walk-in organized. It is a good job for someone who likes steady, hands-on work and wants to learn how a professional kitchen runs.
Pay snapshot: the BLS reports a national median of $16.98/hr for food preparation workers, and $19.07/hr in the Boston metro. See the full salary breakdown.
Responsibilities
- Follow the daily prep list and finish tasks in the order of priority set by the sous chef
- Wash, peel, chop, dice, and slice vegetables and herbs to the kitchen's cut specs
- Portion, trim, and marinate proteins according to recipe and yield standards
- Make stocks, soups, dressings, and basic sauces from scratch using recipe cards
- Measure ingredients accurately by weight and volume so batches come out consistent
- Label every container with the item name, prep date, and use-by date
- Store product in the right place and temperature and keep the walk-in and dry storage organized
- Break down deliveries, check them against the invoice, and put them away promptly
- Stock line stations with prepped items before service and restock during slow moments
- Keep your prep area, cutting boards, and tools clean and sanitized throughout the shift
Requirements
- No formal culinary degree required, and previous kitchen experience is a plus
- Basic knife skills or a willingness to learn them quickly
- Ability to lift heavy boxes and stand on your feet for a full shift
- Food handler card or ServSafe Food Handler certification is often required
- Ability to read a recipe and measure ingredients accurately
- Early morning availability, since prep shifts often start well before service
Skills
- Fast, safe knife work
- Following recipes precisely
- Time management across a long task list
- Labeling and storage discipline
- Basic math for scaling recipes
- Cleanliness and organization
- Working independently with little supervision
Schedule
Prep shifts are commonly mornings or early afternoons, often five days a week, and they usually finish before or as dinner service begins.
Prep Cook job posting template
Copy this, replace the bracketed parts, and post it.
Prep Cook - [Restaurant Name], [City] [Restaurant Name] in [City] is hiring a Prep Cook to set our kitchen up for success every day. You will be the person who makes sure the line has everything it needs before the first ticket prints. What you will do: - Work from a daily prep list to cut, portion, and prepare ingredients - Make sauces, stocks, and dressings from our recipes - Label, date, and store everything properly - Receive and put away deliveries - Keep your area clean and sanitized What we are looking for: - Some kitchen experience preferred, but we will train the right person - Comfort with knives and a fast, careful work pace - Ability to lift [XX] pounds and stand for a full shift - Food handler certification (or willingness to get it) - Availability for [Shift], including [days] What we offer: - [$XX-$XX/hr], paid weekly - Staff meal and a clear path to line cook - [Benefits, e.g. paid time off, health insurance] To apply, email your resume to [email] or come by [Address] and ask for [Hiring Manager].
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