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Cook Jobs in Waterloo, IA (NOW HIRING)

Texas Roadhouse

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 ...

Thrive Restaurant Group

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 ...

Olive Garden

Line Cook

Waterloo, IA

$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

Carlos O'Kelly's

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 ...

Thrive Restaurant Group

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 ...

Olive Garden

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 ...

Olive Garden

Line Cook

Waterloo, IA

$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

Olive Garden

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 ...

Olive Garden

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

Olive Garden

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 ...

Olive Garden

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 ...

Panda Restaurant Group

Cook (P1-1480540-1)

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$13.75 - $18.50/hr

Our Panda Cook associates are important leaders of our team and the heart of our kitchen. You are responsible for creating food with passion, service with heart and ambiance with pride. As a Cook for ...

LongHorn Steakhouse

Line Cook

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

For this position, pay will be variable by location - See additional job details and benefits below Combining quality and bold FLAVOR starts with our Line Cooks. They bring it... every steak, every ...

LongHorn Steakhouse

Line Cook

Waterloo, IA

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

For this position, pay will be variable by location - See additional job details and benefits below Combining quality and bold FLAVOR starts with our Line Cooks. They bring it... every steak, every ...

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Cook information

See Waterloo, IA salary details

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How much do cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for cook in Waterloo, IA is $15.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.27 and $17.79 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 is a chef vs. cook?

A cook is a person who prepares and cooks food, often working in kitchens with basic skills and following recipes. A chef is a trained culinary professional who typically has formal education, oversees kitchen operations, and creates menus and recipes. The main difference lies in training, responsibilities, and level of expertise.

Can I get paid to cook at home?

A cook can earn money by preparing meals at home through options like catering, meal prep services, or selling homemade food. These opportunities often require cooking skills, food safety knowledge, and sometimes permits or certifications. Income varies based on the scale of the operation and local regulations.

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 highest paying job for a cook?

The highest paying roles for cooks typically include executive chefs, head chefs, or specialized culinary professionals in high-end restaurants, hotels, or private establishments. These positions often require extensive experience, leadership skills, and culinary certifications, and can offer salaries significantly above standard line cook roles.

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.

How do I get a job as a cook?

To get a job as a cook, you typically need relevant culinary skills, which can be gained through culinary school, training programs, or on-the-job experience. Employers often look for food safety certifications and a good work ethic, and job opportunities are available in restaurants, hotels, and catering services.

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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Cook jobs near you
Line Cook - Broil/Grill

Line Cook - Broil/Grill

Texas Roadhouse

Cedar Falls, IA

$14.75 - $18.25/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted yesterday

Texas Roadhouse rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 1,086 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

51st of 86 rated restaurants

Job description

At Texas Roadhouse, we are a people-first company that just happens to serve steaks. Legendary Food and Legendary Service is who we are. We're about loving what you're doing today and preparing you for what you'll be doing tomorrow. Are you ready to be a Roadie?

Do you feel that you have the potential to be a grill master for Texas Roadhouse? Our legendary steaks are our most popular menu item at Texas Roadhouse, and our Broil Cook position is an important one!

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 grilling
  • Using proper safety and sanitation guidelines
  • Understanding equipment and prep sheets
  • Exhibiting teamwork

If you think you would be a legendary Broil Cook, apply today!

At Texas Roadhouse, our Roadies are the heart and soul of our company. We have a fun culture with flexible work schedules, discounts in our restaurants, friendly competitions, recognition, formal training, and career growth opportunities.

Our Roadies are paid weekly. In addition, we offer one of the industry's most competitive total rewards packages after one year of service to Roadies that meet our benefit eligibility requirements. The total rewards package includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • A choice of medical plans that are best in class
  • Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 annually
  • Paid vacation time
  • Short-Term Disability
  • Life, Accident, and Critical Illness insurance
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Business Travel Insurance
  • Annual holiday bonus

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, pregnancy, gender identity, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, citizenship, national origin, or any other legally-protected status. We encourage and welcome all applicants to apply.

Employment Type: PART_TIME

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Hours and flexibility

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