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Cook Jobs in Mattoon, IL (NOW HIRING)

Golden Corral - Effingham/Springfield IL

Cook

Effingham, IL · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

The Cook is responsible for the quality, quantity, tastiness, and freshness of all Hot Choice Buffet products. The Cook pays special attention to speed, cleanliness, organization, and product ...

Myerscough Foods

Cook

Mattoon, IL

$16 - $19/hr

Cook Location: Stadium Grill, Mattoon, IL Department: Kitchen Reports to: Kitchen Manager Job Summary: Stadium Grill is seeking a passionate and skilled Cook to join our kitchen team. The ideal ...

Golden Corral

Cook

Effingham, IL · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

The Cook is responsible for the quality, quantity, tastiness, and freshness of all Hot Choice Buffet products. The Cook pays special attention to speed, cleanliness, organization, and product ...

Sonic

Cook

Mattoon, IL

$13.25 - $17.50/hr

As a SONIC Drive-In restaurant Cook, you will oversee the Appetite Satisfaction Department, which involves operating the following stations: Food Production, Grill, Fryer and other tasks if ...

Sonic Drive-In

Cook

Mattoon, IL · On-site

$13.25 - $17.50/hr

As a SONIC Drive-In restaurant Cook, you will oversee the Appetite Satisfaction Department, which involves operating the following stations: Food Production, Grill, Fryer and other tasks if ...

Sonic

Cook

Mattoon, IL

$13.25 - $17.50/hr

As a SONIC Drive-In restaurant Cook, you will oversee the Appetite Satisfaction Department, which involves operating the following stations: Food Production, Grill, Fryer and other tasks if ...

Sonic

Cook

Charleston, IL · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

Cook Immediate Supervisor: Manager on Duty (MOD) Position Summary: This position cooks, prepares, and packages product. Job Duties: * Cook, prepare, and package food product pursuant to operational ...

Guernsey Holdings LLC

Cook

Charleston, IL · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

Cook Immediate Supervisor: Manager on Duty (MOD) Position Summary: This position cooks, prepares, and packages product. Job Duties: * Cook, prepare, and package food product pursuant to operational ...

Sonic Drive-In

Cook

Charleston, IL · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

Cook Immediate Supervisor: Manager on Duty (MOD) Position Summary: This position cooks, prepares, and packages product. Job Duties: * Cook, prepare, and package food product pursuant to operational ...

HAVEN OF TUSCOLA LLC

Cook

Tuscola, IL · On-site

$17.50/hr

  • PTO

Cook - Part-Time PM Shift Haven of Tuscola Experience individualized care at a Haven Healthcare affiliated facility. Our highly skilled clinical and therapy teams are dedicated to delivering ...

Yona Solutions

Cook

Charleston, IL · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Yona is looking for a cook to join the team! Benefits of Yona * Comprehensive medical, dental, and vison insurance * Employer paid life insurance * 401(k) plan * Competitive paid time off * Employee ...

Palm Garden of Mattoon

Night Cook

Mattoon, IL

$15.50 - $16.50/hr

As a Night Cook, you will be responsible for preparing and serving delicious meals to our residents, while ensuring that our high standards of quality and safety are met. If you share our passion for ...

Meridian Senior Living

Cook

Effingham, IL · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

As a Cook, you will work closely with our Dining Services Manager and will be responsible for the Community's food ordering, preparation, and delivery as well as kitchen sanitation. Cook tasks in ...

Meridian Senior Living

Cook

Effingham, IL · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

As a Cook, you will work closely with our Dining Services Manager and will be responsible for the Community's food ordering, preparation, and delivery as well as kitchen sanitation. Cook tasks in ...

MERIDIAN SENIOR LIVING

Cook

Effingham, IL · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

As a Cook, you will work closely with our Dining Services Manager and will be responsible for the Community's food ordering, preparation, and delivery as well as kitchen sanitation. Cook tasks in ...

MERIDIAN SENIOR LIVING

Cook

Effingham, IL · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

As a Cook, you will work closely with our Dining Services Manager and will be responsible for the Community's food ordering, preparation, and delivery as well as kitchen sanitation. Cook tasks in ...

MERIDIAN SENIOR LIVING

Cook

Effingham, IL · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

As a Cook, you will work closely with our Dining Services Manager and will be responsible for the Community's food ordering, preparation, and delivery as well as kitchen sanitation. Cook tasks in ...

Meridian Senior Living

Cook

Effingham, IL · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

As a Cook, you will work closely with our Dining Services Manager and will be responsible for the Community's food ordering, preparation, and delivery as well as kitchen sanitation. Cook tasks in ...

MERIDIAN SENIOR LIVING

Cook

Effingham, IL · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

As a Cook, you will work closely with our Dining Services Manager and will be responsible for the Community's food ordering, preparation, and delivery as well as kitchen sanitation. Cook tasks in ...

MERIDIAN SENIOR LIVING

Cook

Effingham, IL

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

As a Cook, you will work closely with our Dining Services Manager and will be responsible for the Community's food ordering, preparation, and delivery as well as kitchen sanitation. Cook tasks in ...

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See Mattoon, IL salary details

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How much do cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for cook in Mattoon, IL is $15.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.64 and $16.92 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.
More about Cook jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Cook jobs in Mattoon, IL?

The most popular types of Cook jobs in Mattoon, IL are:

What job categories do people searching Cook jobs in Mattoon, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Cook jobs in Mattoon, IL are:

What cities near Mattoon, IL are hiring for Cook jobs?

Cities near Mattoon, IL with the most Cook job openings:

Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cook job openings in Mattoon, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 34% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $31,317 per year, or $15.1 per hour.

Cook

Golden Corral - Effingham/Springfield IL

Effingham, IL • On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Our franchise organization, Golden Corral - Effingham/Springfield IL, is currently seeking energetic, friendly individuals to join our team!   
The Cook is responsible for the quality, quantity, tastiness, and freshness of all Hot Choice Buffet products. The Cook pays special attention to speed, cleanliness, organization, and product specifications.
Food Production:
  • Prepares Hot Choice Buffet products, including Carving and Display Cooking products, according to Golden Corral recipes and procedures.
  • Grills all items according to Golden Corral standards to ensure quality.
  • Ensures that every fried product is always fresh and hot.
  • If the Buffet Attendant is unavailable, the Cook restocks the items at the Display Cooking Station.
  • If the Carver is unavailable, assists guests with carved meat options.
  • Complete use and following of the buffet production system to insure quality and shelf life compliance.
Operational Excellence:
  • Maintains the correct temperature of all products during cooking, holding and serving.
  • Uses the Hot Choice Buffet Production Guide and the Display Cooking Hot Cook Production Guide to maintain an inventory of all hot cook products.
  • Conducts opening and closing administrative procedures.
  • Properly maintains equipment according to the Equipment Maintenance manual.
  • Restocks and rotates food products by using the first-in, first-out method (FIFO).
  • Takes inventory of products and checks build-to with the Manager at the beginning and end of each shift.
Cleanliness:
  • Ensures that that Hot Cook area and all smallwares are clean and checks dishes for cleanliness before using them.
  • Performs duty roster and ensures cleanliness, service, and quality standards are met. .
  • Follows local health department laws.
  • Keeps Char Grill clean and scraped to ensure product quality and sanitation.  
Guest Service:
  • Ensures that Hot Choice Buffet products, including Display Cooking products, are always hot and fresh for the guests.
  • Knows and follows position responsibilities as they relate to just-in-time delivery.
  • Is friendly and courteous to guests and assists them with the products.
  • Maintains professional communication at all times.
Thank you for your interest in Golden Corral. Upon completion of your online application, you may be directed to complete an additional online questionnaire that is specific to the position in which you are applying.
The job opening listed on this page has been posted by an independent franchisee of Golden Corral Corporation. Golden Corral Corporation does not hire or employ any individuals at this franchise location. The franchisee will make all decisions with respect to applications for the position listed on this page. The name of the franchisee appears in this job posting. All questions concerning this job opportunity should be directed to the franchisee.