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Cook Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

Lizards Thicket

Cook/Prep Cook - Elmwood

Columbia, SC · On-site

$12 - $15/hr

This Breakfast Cook / Short-Order Cook position pays a competitive wage depending on skills and experience. We are pleased to offer a variety of excellent benefits to all of our eligible full-time ...

Kwik Way Store

Cook

Chapin, SC

$12.25 - $16.50/hr

Cook - Bring Your Passion for Food to Our Kitchen We are looking for skilled and dedicated Cooks to join our kitchen team. Whether you specialize in the line, grill, or fry station, you'll play a key ...

Kwik Way Store

Cook

Chapin, SC · On-site

$12.25 - $16.50/hr

DESCRIPTION Cook - Bring Your Passion for Food to Our Kitchen We are looking for skilled and dedicated Cooks to join our kitchen team. Whether you specialize in the line, grill, or fry station, you ...

Boca Grande Burritos

Cook

Columbia, SC · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

DESCRIPTION Cook - Bring Your Passion for Flavor to Our Kitchen We are looking for skilled and dedicated Cooks to join our kitchen team. Whether you specialize in the line, sauté, grill, or fry ...

Boca Grande Burritos

Cook

Columbia, SC

$13 - $17.25/hr

Cook - Bring Your Passion for Flavor to Our Kitchen We are looking for skilled and dedicated Cooks to join our kitchen team. Whether you specialize in the line, sauté, grill, or fry station, you'll ...

Premier Resorts Management Inc

COOK

Columbia, SC · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

This is an hourly cook position. We look for non-smoking, flexible, energetic self-starters. Experienced with Sautee, Pantry, Broiler, Fry Station and Garde Manger Working with high end salads and ...

Lizards Thicket

Cook/Prep Cook - Knox Abbott

Cayce, SC · On-site

$12 - $15/hr

This Breakfast Cook / Short-Order Cook position pays a competitive wage depending on skills and experience. We are pleased to offer a variety of excellent benefits to all of our eligible full-time ...

Eggs Up Grill

Cook

Irmo, SC

$12.75 - $16.25/hr

The Line Cook works with a team to provide excellent, delicious, and consistently prepared food in a fast-paced environment. The Line Cook/Prep Cook is able to proficiently cook recipes at each of ...

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All JobsCook JobsCook Jobs in Columbia, SC

Cook information

See Columbia, SC salary details

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How much do cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for cook in Columbia, SC is $13.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.01 and $14.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Cook, you need a solid grasp of culinary techniques, food safety standards, and menu preparation, often supported by a high school diploma or culinary training. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory systems, and certifications like ServSafe are typically required. Strong time management, teamwork, and attention to detail help Cooks stand out in busy kitchen environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for consistently delivering safe, high-quality dishes and maintaining efficient kitchen operations.

What does a cook do?

A Cook—also called a Chef—is ultimately responsible for preparing the food that is served in restaurants or other dining establishments. As the head of the kitchen, Cooks also supervise other work and oversee the kitchen to ensure it all runs smoothly. In some restaurants, Cooks are responsible for creating recipes and menus, planning events, ensuring that food and kitchen regulations are followed, and sticking to a restaurant budget. There are different levels of this position that you can earn, meaning that there can be a wide range to all the potential possibilities and responsibilities of a daily Cook. For example, there’s the Head Chef who runs the kitchen while the other Cooks are responsible for specific types of food.

What is the difference between Cook vs Chef?

AspectCookChef
CredentialsNone required or basic culinary trainingFormal culinary education or extensive experience
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, cafeterias, cateringFine dining, hotels, culinary establishments
ResponsibilitiesPreparing dishes, following recipesMenu creation, kitchen management, supervising cooks

In summary, a Cook typically prepares food following established recipes and has minimal formal training, while a Chef often has specialized culinary education and takes on leadership roles in the kitchen, overseeing cooking staff and menu development.

What does a cook do?

A cook is responsible for preparing and cooking food in restaurants, cafeterias, or other food service establishments. Their duties include following recipes, measuring ingredients, operating kitchen equipment, and ensuring food safety and cleanliness. Cooks may also help with menu planning, inventory management, and maintaining kitchen supplies. They work closely with other kitchen staff to deliver meals efficiently and meet customer expectations.

What are three careers in cooking?

Three careers in cooking include becoming a chef, a pastry chef, or a line cook. These roles involve preparing food in restaurants, bakeries, or catering services and often require culinary training or certifications. Each position offers different responsibilities and skill levels within the culinary industry.

What are some common challenges cooks face during busy service hours, and how can they effectively manage them?

During peak service times, cooks often encounter challenges such as time pressure, managing multiple orders simultaneously, and maintaining high standards of food quality and presentation. Effective communication with team members and staying organized are crucial for keeping up with the pace. Many cooks use strategies like prepping ingredients in advance, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining a clean workstation to ensure smooth workflow and minimize mistakes. Developing these habits helps cooks deliver consistent results even in high-stress environments.
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What are popular job titles related to Cook jobs in Columbia, SC?

For Cook jobs in Columbia, SC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Cook jobs in Columbia, SC are:

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Cities near Columbia, SC with the most Cook job openings:

Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cook job openings in Columbia, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, and 35% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $27,224 per year, or $13.1 per hour.

Cook/Prep Cook - Elmwood

Lizards Thicket

Columbia, SC • On-site

$12 - $15/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Lizard's Thicket is looking to hire a full or part-time Breakfast Cook / Short-Order Cook to help our kitchen staff prepare delicious food for our loyal customers. Are you a customer service rock star who loves country cooking and can contribute to our kitchen team? Are you interested in getting started with a family-friendly restaurant that cares about its employees and values your time and hard work? If so, please read on!
This Breakfast Cook / Short-Order Cook position pays a competitive wage depending on skills and experience. We are pleased to offer a variety of excellent benefits to all of our eligible full-time employees including medical, dental, vision, a FREE $15,000 life insurance policy after a 60-90 day period, and paid vacation/PTO annually. We also offer supplemental insurance benefits, an 8% discount on all Verizon Wireless plans, an employee referral bonus, discounted meals, annual performance reviews, and the ability to be paid on a daily basis for all employees, full or part-time!
ABOUT LIZARD'S THICKET
In 1977, in a home on Broad River Road in Columbia, S.C, Bob and Anna Williams opened the very first Lizard's Thicket. The phrase "home cooking" is exacting! All of our Lizard's Thicket meals were based on Anna's own recipes. In the past forty years, we have grown to 15 locations with over 700 employees! We still pride ourselves on being a place where families and groups of friends can gather for a hearty, southern cooked meal and catch up on their days. To this day, we are still owned and operated by Bob and Anna's children and grandchildren.
At Lizard's Thicket, we value our staff members and consider them to be one of the most important assets of our business. We offer competitive pay and robust benefits and consider the health and well-being of our staff members to be one of our highest priorities.
A DAY IN THE LIFE AS A BREAKFAST COOK / SHORT-ORDER COOK
As a Breakfast Cook / Short-Order Cook in Lizard's Thicket's kitchen, you are passionate about good food and exceeding our customer's expectations. You will generally report to work at 5 am and work an 8-10 hour shift. You will work fast and under pressure to ensure the quality and consistency of the food and that it is ready in an efficient and timely manner. Proper storage, handling, and inspecting serving areas regularly to ensure safe, sanitary food-handling practices are a part of your everyday routine. You will be preparing traditional style breakfast foods by following our recipe manual on the grill/oven/waffle iron/toaster/fryers or any other kitchen equipment. You may be preparing hundreds of cooked to order meals on a busy morning. Your attention to detail and commitment to customer service ensures that our customers enjoy a quality experience that keeps them coming back for more. You enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where you are never bored and time goes by quickly.
QUALIFICATIONS
  • High school diploma or equivalent is preferred
  • Experience as a cook or in a relevant role is preferred

Do you like to cook? Are you comfortable in the kitchen? Do you work well as part of a team? Do you have excellent customer service skills? Do you have good communication skills and the ability to memorize information easily? Can you read and follow directions well? Are you able to work independently and make sound judgment calls when appropriate? Are you flexible? Are you dependable? Are you quick on your feet and able to work in a fast-paced environment? Can you present a professional and well-kept appearance? If so, then you might just be perfect for this Breakfast Cook / Short-Order Cook position!
WORK SCHEDULE
This Breakfast Cook / Short-Order Cook position is full or part-time and has AM shifts available. The nature of our industry requires working some holidays and all weekends.
ARE YOU READY TO JOIN OUR TEAM?
We understand your time is valuable and that is why we have a very quick and easy application process. If you feel that you would be right for the Breakfast Cook / Short-Order Cook position, please fill out our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application so that we can review your information. We look forward to meeting you!

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