ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Cooker Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Lazy Dog Restaurants LLC

Cook

Vernon Hills, IL · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Cook: At this location, our cooks e arn $18-$20 / hour. Be part of the excitement and freshness of a "Scratch Kitchen" We hand-craft everything in our kitchens. We are looking for talented ...

Lazy Dog Restaurants LLC

Cook

Buffalo Grove, IL · On-site

$18.25 - $21.50/hr

Cook: At this location, our cooks e arn $18.25 - $21.50 / hour. Be part of the excitement and freshness of a "Scratch Kitchen" We hand-craft everything in our kitchens. We are looking for talented ...

Golden Corral

Cook

Joliet, IL · On-site

$13.50 - $18.25/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 ...

Trulee Evanston

Cook

Evanston, IL

$19 - $21/hr

Cook - Trulee Evanston Shift Available: Full Time Minimum of 3 year of cooking experience (restaurant, senior living, or similar environment) and can work as a scratch cook. Love making a difference ...

Denny's

Cook

Pekin, IL · On-site

$12.75 - $17.25/hr

Cook Brand: Denny's Reports To: Restaurant Manager/General Manager/Manager on Duty Job Overview The Cook is responsible for preparing and cooking menu items according to Denny's recipes, plating ...

Golden Corral

Cook

Gurnee, IL · On-site

$13.50 - $18/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 ...

Golden Corral

Cook

Bolingbrook, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $18.50/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 ...

Rosati's Pizza

Cook

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $18.25/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 ...

Denny's

Cook

Salem, IL · On-site

$13.50 - $18/hr

Cook Brand: Denny's Reports To: Restaurant Manager/General Manager/Manager on Duty Job Overview The Cook is responsible for preparing and cooking menu items according to Denny's recipes, plating ...

Solera Senior Living, LLC

Cook

Evanston, IL · On-site

$19 - $21/hr

) Cook - Trulee Evanston Shift Available: Full Time Minimum of 3 year of cooking experience (restaurant, senior living, or similar environment) and can work as a scratch cook. Love making a difference ...

Denny's

Cook

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

Cook Brand: Denny's Reports To: Restaurant Manager/General Manager/Manager on Duty Job Overview The Cook is responsible for preparing and cooking menu items according to Denny's recipes, plating ...

Denny's

Cook

O Fallon, IL · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

Cook Brand: Denny's Reports To: Restaurant Manager/General Manager/Manager on Duty Job Overview The Cook is responsible for preparing and cooking menu items according to Denny's recipes, plating ...

Village Inn

Cook

Moline, IL · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

You will be preparing and cooking a variety of dishes for restaurant guests to enjoy. You are passionate about creating exceptional dining experiences through good, quality food. With previous ...

Golden Corral

Cook

Algonquin, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $18.25/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 ...

Golden Corral

Cook

Aurora, IL · On-site

$15 - $16.50/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 ...

Rosati's Pizza

Cook

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $18.25/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 ...

Rosati's Pizza

Cook

Vernon Hills, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $18.25/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 ...

Lake Street Staffing

COOKS

Chicago, IL · On-site

$18 - $23/hr

COOKS Are you passionate about cooking from scratch and taking pride in the food you create? A respected Chicago culinary organization is seeking experienced Cooks to join our growing team. This is ...

Dog Haus

Be Seen First

Experienced Cooks Needed!

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17.05/hr

Main Responsibilities of a Cook: ● Preparing workstations, cooking ingredients, and kitchen equipment for cooking. ● Cooking and arranging food. We are looking for an experienced cook to fill a ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsCooker JobsCooker Jobs in Illinois

Cooker information

See Illinois salary details

$15

$18

$20

How much do cooker jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooker in Illinois is $18.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.26 and $19.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a cooker do?

A cooker, often referred to as a cook or chef, is responsible for preparing and cooking food in restaurants, cafeterias, or other dining establishments. Their duties include following recipes, measuring and mixing ingredients, monitoring food while it cooks, and ensuring meals are served at the right temperature and presentation. Cookers also maintain kitchen cleanliness and adhere to food safety standards. Depending on the workplace, their responsibilities may range from simple food preparation to creating complex dishes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cooker?

To thrive as a Cooker (Chef or Cook), you need a solid understanding of food preparation, cooking techniques, and food safety standards, often gained through culinary school or hands-on experience. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and certifications like ServSafe are typically required. Attention to detail, time management, and teamwork are vital soft skills that set exceptional cooks apart. These skills and qualifications ensure efficient kitchen operations, high-quality dishes, and a safe dining environment for customers.

What are some common challenges a professional cooker faces in a high-volume kitchen, and how can they be managed?

In a high-volume kitchen, cookers often face challenges such as managing time efficiently, maintaining consistency in food quality, and handling pressure during peak service hours. To manage these, it's important to develop strong organizational skills, communicate clearly with kitchen staff, and stay calm under pressure. Many successful cookers also rely on prep work and mise en place to streamline service and ensure a smooth workflow. Building good relationships with team members helps foster a supportive environment, making it easier to overcome challenges together.

What is the difference between Cooker vs Chef?

AspectCookerChef
CredentialsBasic culinary skills, sometimes certifications in food safetyFormal culinary education or extensive experience, culinary certifications
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, catering servicesProfessional kitchens, restaurants, hotels, culinary establishments
ResponsibilitiesPreparing and cooking food according to recipesOverseeing kitchen operations, menu creation, supervising cooks

The main difference between a Cooker and a Chef lies in their roles and responsibilities. A Cooker typically focuses on preparing and cooking food, often with basic skills and certifications. A Chef, on the other hand, has advanced culinary training, oversees kitchen operations, and is responsible for menu development. While both work in similar environments, the Chef's role is more managerial and creative, whereas the Cooker primarily executes cooking tasks.

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Cooker jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Cooker job openings:

Cooker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cooker job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $38,567 per year, or $18.5 per hour.

Cook

Lazy Dog Restaurants LLC

Vernon Hills, IL • On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 28 days ago

Lazy Dog Restaurants rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Certified Great Place to Work 8 Years in a row!
Cook: At this location, our cooks earn $18-$20 / hour.
Be part of the excitement and freshness of a "Scratch Kitchen" We hand-craft everything in our kitchens. We are looking for talented individuals that want to grow with a company that cares.
What we offer:
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Teammate discount
  • Supplemental medical, dental, vision, 401k
  • Discounted supplemental benefits
  • Eligibility for an Emergency Financial plan
  • Discounts to theme parks, pet insurance, Legal and Identity Theft Insurance
  • A family that supports YOUR personal and professional growth

We are looking for Full- Service Line Cooks:
  • 2 to 5 years' experience on a fast-paced line, working all stations.
  • Accountable for all aspects of assigned cooking stations to include set up, stock product, cook and present dishes according to Lazy Dogs recipes.
  • Ensure only "fresh" high-quality ingredients are used when preparing all recipes.
  • Ensure the proper recipe is displayed on the monitor during the preparation and cooking process.
  • Ensure proper recipe adherence is followed whenever producing items.
  • Strive to never sell a dish that is not up to Lazy Dog Standards.
  • Follow food safety procedures, clean, sanitize and maintain equipment, utensils, and tools throughout kitchen.
  • Ensure proper use of PPE when applicable and ensuring a safe work environment by following all safety guidelines.
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of cooking equipment in assigned cooking station to include startup, shut down, shift maintenance, cleaning and repairing as needed.
  • Maintain a clean and organized workstation.
  • Alert chef team immediately of any product, equipment and/or food safety concerns.
  • Guest focused and likes to multi-task.
  • Demonstrate basic English/Spanish communication skills a plus.
  • Trusting, passionate, humble, and gracious team player.
  • Build lasting relationships with trust and respect.
  • Create fun.

Education
  • High School (preferred)

Licenses & Certifications
  • Food Handlers Card (California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Texas, Virginia)

Join Lazy Dog and be part of a culture of caring, great benefits, and continuous growth.

What Lazy Dog Restaurants employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply