1

Cook Helper Jobs in Traverse City, MI (NOW HIRING)

Line Cook

Traverse City, MI ยท On-site

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

Text HELP for help or smshelp@paradox.ai . Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. Text STOP to ... As a Line Cook, you will be committed to safe food handling, cleanliness, and sanitation standards ...

Line Cook

Traverse City, MI ยท On-site

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

Text HELP for help or smshelp@paradox.ai. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. Text STOP to ... As a Line Cook, you will be committed to safe food handling, cleanliness, and sanitation standards ...

Lead Cook

Beulah, MI ยท On-site

$20/hr

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING As a Lead Cook, you will help oversee and participate in the daily kitchen operation. Your responsibilities will include: * Leading and assisting inmates within the kitchen

Posted today

Lead Cook

Beulah, MI ยท On-site

$20/hr

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING As a Lead Cook, you will help oversee and participate in the daily kitchen operation. Your responsibilities will include: * Leading and assisting inmates within the kitchen

New

Cook

Traverse City, MI ยท On-site

$18 - $24/hr

Join Our Team as a Part-Time Cook at Millie and Pepper! Are you passionate about cooking and ready to take on a role where you can shine in the kitchen? Millie and Pepper, located in beautiful ...

Cook I - Full time

Frankfort, MI ยท On-site

$14.25 - $19.25/hr

Share your ideas and help shape the way we work through improvement huddles, employee surveys, and town hall meetings A Day in the Life * The Cook will accurately and efficiently prepare, portion ...

Cook I - Full time

Frankfort, MI ยท On-site

$14.25 - $19.25/hr

Share your ideas and help shape the way we work through improvement huddles, employee surveys, and town hall meetings A Day in the Life * The Cook will accurately and efficiently prepare, portion ...

Cook

Traverse City, MI ยท On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

As a Cook, you might be prepping ingredients, plating comfort food, or cooking up someone's new ... Support that starts on day one | Onboarding, training, and development to help you thrive ...

Cook

Traverse City, MI ยท On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

As a Cook, you might be prepping ingredients, plating comfort food, or cooking up someone's new ... Support that starts on day one | Onboarding, training, and development to help you thrive ...

Cook

Traverse City, MI ยท On-site

$17.50 - $20/hr

Wages and hours of Cook: This position is weekday evenings and every other weekend. It is a part-time position, with rotating holidays required. Hourly range: $17.50 - $20.00 based on experience ...

Cook

Traverse City, MI ยท On-site

$14 - $18.75/hr

As a Cook, you might be prepping ingredients, plating comfort food, or cooking up someone's new ... Support that starts on day one | Onboarding, training, and development to help you thrive ...

Cook

Traverse City, MI ยท On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

As a Cook, you might be prepping ingredients, plating comfort food, or cooking up someone's new ... Support that starts on day one | Onboarding, training, and development to help you thrive ...

Cook

Traverse City, MI

$17.50 - $20/hr

Wages and hours of Cook: This position is weekday evenings and every other weekend. It is a part-time position, with rotating holidays required. Hourly range: $17.50 - $20.00 based on experience ...

Cook

Traverse City, MI ยท On-site

$17.50 - $20/hr

Wages and hours of Cook: This position is weekday evenings and every other weekend. It is a part-time position, with rotating holidays required. Hourly range: $17.50 - $20.00 based on experience ...

Cook

Traverse City, MI

$17.50 - $20/hr

Wages and hours of Cook: This position is weekday evenings and every other weekend. It is a part-time position, with rotating holidays required. Hourly range: $17.50 - $20.00 based on experience ...

Hotel Cook

Traverse City, MI ยท On-site

$18 - $23/hr

... kitchen environment, helping to deliver exceptional dining experiences for our guests ... Prepare and cook menu items in accordance with standardized recipes and quality standards.

next page

Showing results 1-20

Cook Helper information

See Traverse City, MI salary details

$9

$17

$21

How much do cook helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for cook helper in Traverse City, MI is $17.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.48 and $19.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cook helper?

Cook Helpers assist chefs and cooks in preparing and serving food in kitchens. Their duties often include washing and chopping ingredients, cleaning kitchen equipment, organizing supplies, and helping with basic cooking tasks. They play an essential role in maintaining kitchen hygiene and ensuring that food preparation runs smoothly and efficiently. Cook Helpers typically work in restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, or other food service establishments.

What are some common challenges cook helpers face during busy meal service times?

Cook Helpers often face the challenge of working efficiently under pressure during peak meal service times. They must keep up with rapidly changing orders, maintain cleanliness, and ensure ingredients are prepped and available for cooks. Balancing speed with attention to detail is crucial, as mistakes can impact food quality and kitchen workflow. Strong communication and teamwork help Cook Helpers support chefs and contribute to a smooth, successful service.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cook helper, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cook Helper, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of kitchen safety, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food handling certifications, and inventory tracking systems is beneficial. Strong teamwork, time management, and the ability to follow instructions help you stand out in this role. These skills ensure efficient kitchen operations, food safety, and effective support for chefs and cooks.

What is the difference between Cook Helper vs Kitchen Assistant?

AspectCook HelperKitchen Assistant
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; basic culinary skillsHigh school diploma; general kitchen knowledge
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, catering servicesRestaurants, cafeterias, food service establishments
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in food service industry to assist cooksUsed across various food service settings to support kitchen operations

Cook Helper and Kitchen Assistant roles often overlap, with both supporting kitchen staff in food prep and cleaning. However, Cook Helpers typically focus more on assisting cooks with specific culinary tasks, while Kitchen Assistants handle broader support duties like cleaning and basic prep. Both roles require similar credentials and are vital in maintaining efficient kitchen operations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cook jobs in Traverse City, MI?

The most popular types of Cook jobs in Traverse City, MI are:

What are popular job titles related to Cook Helper jobs in Traverse City, MI?

For Cook Helper jobs in Traverse City, MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Traverse City, MI are hiring for Cook Helper jobs?

Cities near Traverse City, MI with the most Cook Helper job openings:

Infographic showing various Cook Helper job openings in Traverse City, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $36,073 per year, or $17.3 per hour.

Packaging and Production Roles -All Shifts Available

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery,LLC

Traverse City, MI โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

About Sara Lee Frozen Bakery:

Sara Lee desserts have always stood for incredible flavor and superior value in the frozen food aisle and away from home markets.  The Sara Lee Frozen Bakery collection of top brands includes Sara Lee®, Chef Pierre®, Van’s®, Bistro Collection®, Superior on Main® and Cyrus O’Leary’s®.  Sara Lee Frozen Bakery is proud to take these iconic brands into a new era and to continue the evolution that transformed one small Chicago bakery into an American institution. Using carefully sourced ingredients and time-honored recipes, the company is committed to making life’s moments a little sweeter, putting its customers first and discovering new ways to make everyone’s favorite foods even better.

Working for Sara Lee:

Our vision is to be the world’s most beloved bakery by creating irresistible foods, growing with our customers, and delivering value for all.  We will achieve success through collaboration and innovation in an environment where employees feel empowered to execute with speed. We believe that each of us has unique points of difference and experience to offer. We believe that there is always a better way, and we will never be satisfied with status quo. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, continually seek process improvements and a strong sense of customer service, then this is the right type of environment for you.  
________________________________________________________________________
Sara Lee Frozen Bakery has a need to hire hard-working individuals to add to our team for all three shifts! We are planning for orientations to ramp up for pie season! 


Location: 2314 Sybrandt Road, Traverse City, MI 49684

Some positions that may be available are:

Production:

  • Cook Helper - $24.66
  • Cook Mixer I - $25.18
  • Doughballer/Doughmaker II - $24.66
  • Dough Maker I - $25.18
  • Production PSS - $28.60

Packaging

  • Packaging Coordinator - $24.66
  • Palleter - $24.60
  • Packaging PSS - $28.60

Successful candidates must be able to:
• Pass an initial drug screen, background check, and pre-placement physical exam
• Be flexible with respect to work hours as start times and line assignments may vary daily
• Work daily and weekend overtime as needed
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and/or pull 50 pounds regularly throughout a shift 

Why Sara Lee? Medical, Dental and Vision benefits start 1st of the month following 30 days, continuous growth opportunities, 401K with a company match and much more!

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.