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Cook Jobs in Denver, IA (NOW HIRING)

Line Cook

Waverly, IA · On-site

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

Line Cook (Kitchen Team Member) Invitation: To love people by cooking up great tasting and great looking food. You'll be responsible for your assigned prep work and cook's station, while you maintain ...

Line Cook

Waverly, IA

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

Line Cook (Kitchen Team Member) Invitation: To love people by cooking up great tasting and great looking food. You'll be responsible for your assigned prep work and cook's station, while you maintain ...

Line Cook

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

Line Cook (Kitchen Team Member) Invitation: To love people by cooking up great tasting and great looking food. You'll be responsible for your assigned prep work and cook's station, while you maintain ...

Line Cook

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

Line Cook (Kitchen Team Member) Invitation: To love people by cooking up great tasting and great looking food. You'll be responsible for your assigned prep work and cook's station, while you maintain ...

Line Cook

Waverly, IA · On-site

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

Line Cook (Kitchen Team Member) Invitation: To love people by cooking up great tasting and great looking food. You'll be responsible for your assigned prep work and cook's station, while you maintain ...

Line Cook

Waterloo, IA

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

Line Cook (Kitchen Team Member) Invitation: To love people by cooking up great tasting and great looking food. You'll be responsible for your assigned prep work and cook's station, while you maintain ...

Line Cook

Cedar Falls, IA · On-site

$14.75 - $18.25/hr

Line Cook (Kitchen Team Member) Invitation: To love people by cooking up great tasting and great looking food. You'll be responsible for your assigned prep work and cook's station, while you maintain ...

Line Cook

Cedar Falls, IA · On-site

$14.75 - $18.25/hr

Line Cook (Kitchen Team Member) Invitation: To love people by cooking up great tasting and great looking food. You'll be responsible for your assigned prep work and cook's station, while you maintain ...

Line Cook

Cedar Falls, IA

$14.75 - $18.25/hr

Line Cook (Kitchen Team Member) Invitation: To love people by cooking up great tasting and great looking food. You'll be responsible for your assigned prep work and cook's station, while you maintain ...

Prep Cook

Cedar Falls, IA

$13.25 - $16.75/hr

As a Prep Cook your responsibilities would include: * Reading a prep sheet * Following Texas Roadhouse legendary recipes * Keeping the walk-in refrigerator clean and organized * Maintaining and using ...

Line Cook - Broil/Grill

Cedar Falls, IA · On-site

$14.75 - $18.25/hr

As a Broil Cook your responsibilities would include: * High volume restaurant experience * Understand cooking steak temperatures * Meat seasoning, searing, and cooking * Meat seasoning, searing, and ...

Line Cook - Broil/Grill

Cedar Falls, IA

$14.75 - $18.25/hr

As a Broil Cook your responsibilities would include: * High volume restaurant experience * Understand cooking steak temperatures * Meat seasoning, searing, and cooking * Meat seasoning, searing, and ...

Line Cook

Cedar Falls, IA

$14.75 - $18.25/hr

Line Cook (Kitchen Team Member) Invitation: To love people by serving up great tasting and great looking food. You'll be responsible for your assigned prep work and cook's station, while you maintain ...

Line Cook

Cedar Falls, IA · On-site

$14.75 - $18.25/hr

Line Cook (Kitchen Team Member) Invitation: To love people by serving up great tasting and great looking food. You'll be responsible for your assigned prep work and cook's station, while you maintain ...

Line Cook

Cedar Falls, IA · On-site

$14.75 - $18.25/hr

Line Cook (Kitchen Team Member) Invitation: To love people by serving up great tasting and great looking food. You'll be responsible for your assigned prep work and cook's station, while you maintain ...

Prep Cook

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$14 - $17.75/hr

As a prep cook, you must have a strong passion for delivering and flawlessly executing recipes to meet and exceed our guest expectations. In addition, as a prep cook, you must have a firm commitment ...

Line Cook

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

Our line cooks also have a firm commitment to the highest safety and sanitation standards. We'd love to welcome you home as the newest member of the Family! #MyOliveGardenFam

Line Cook

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

Our line cooks also have a firm commitment to the highest safety and sanitation standards. We'd love to welcome you home as the newest member of the Family! #MyOliveGardenFam

Prep Cook

Waterloo, IA

$14 - $17.75/hr

As a prep cook, you must have a strong passion for delivering and flawlessly executing recipes to meet and exceed our guest expectations. In addition, as a prep cook, you must have a firm commitment ...

Line Cook

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

As a line cook, you must have a strong passion for delivering and flawlessly executing recipes and plate presentation to delight our guests. Our line cooks also have a firm commitment to the highest ...

Showing results 41-60

Cook information

See Denver, IA salary details

$8

$14

$20

How much do cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for cook in Denver, IA is $14.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $16.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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.

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 jobs can you do if you like cooking?

If you enjoy cooking, you can pursue roles such as chef, line cook, pastry chef, or culinary assistant. These jobs typically require culinary skills, knowledge of food safety, and sometimes certifications like a food handler's permit. Opportunities exist in restaurants, hotels, catering companies, and institutional food services.

What job categories do people searching Cook jobs in Denver, IA look for?

The top searched job categories for Cook jobs in Denver, IA are:

What cities near Denver, IA are hiring for Cook jobs?

Cities near Denver, IA with the most Cook job openings:

Infographic showing various Cook job openings in Denver, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $30,961 per year, or $14.9 per hour.

Line Cook

Applebee's

Waverly, IA • On-site

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Applebee's rating

5.6

Company rating: 5.6 out of 10

Based on 745 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

61st of 88 rated restaurants


Job description


Thrive Restaurant Group is a family-owned restaurant company that’s been in business for over 50 years, and we’re looking for the next member of our family. We are committed to making a difference in the lives of the people we serve and the communities in which we live. If you want to work in a fun family atmosphere and are interested in learning business, leadership, and hospitality, this is the place for you.

In Applebee’s, we’re known as Legacy Apple. Applebee’s has become synonymous with the neighborhood, which inspires us to be a good neighbor in the communities we serve, not just a great place to eat. Whether we’re helping save a high school prom, or raising money for children battling cancer, we’ve given over $5 million to strengthen the lives and relationships in our communities. Our guiding value is “Be a Good Neighbor”.

Title:  Line Cook (Kitchen Team Member)

Invitation: To love people by cooking up great tasting and great looking food. You’ll be responsible for your assigned prep work and cook’s station, while you maintain our high standards for product presentation, product quality and cook times. You’ll learn to prepare all menu items according to our recipes, and specifications and as a member of the Kitchen Team you will work-in and be cross-trained in all kitchen department roles.

Specific Functions and Duties:

  • Prepare menu items according to Applebee’s Recipes, Plate Presentations and specifications (50%*).
  • Complete all assigned prep work (15%*).
  • Set up workstation according to station diagram (15%*).
  • Practice sanitary and safe food handling at all times (10%*).
  • Clean and sanitize the work area before, during and after shift (5%*).
  • Complete assigned daily and weekly cleaning projects (5%*).

Qualification Standards:

  • A positive attitude and desire to learn and grow
  • Able to place plates, utensils, pans and cases on high and low shelves.
  • Reading, writing and verbal communication skills required.
  • Capable of using knives, slicing equipment and other food preparation equipment.
  • Mobility required during the entire shift.
  • Transports cases up to 50 pounds up to 20 times per day.
  • Able to respond in emergency situations to avoid imminent dangers to self and others.

Physical

There are physical demands that come with this role. To be successful in this role you’ll be regularly required to 1) navigate throughout the restaurant and communicate with guests, 2) move and grasp items up to five pounds, 3) occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, 4)  bend and stoop. You must have adequate vision to be able to discern cleanliness throughout the restaurant and operate a touchscreen. To perform these essential functions, reasonable accommodations may be made if you have disabilities.

Thrive Restaurant Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Tennessee locations use E-Verify per state requirements. 


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