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Cooker Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Darling Ingredients

Cooker Operator

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$16.25 - $21/hr

Job Summary The Cooker Operator is responsible for the operation of PLC to control the machinery. They must monitor pumps and grinders to ensure quality assurance. Shift: Night Shift Essential Duties ...

Opa Time

Cook

Sioux City, IA

$17/hr

Cook We are looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping to employ is first and ...

SONIC Drive-In - W. Broadway

Cook

Council Bluffs, IA

$13 - $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 ...

IHOP

Cook

Ankeny, IA

$17 - $19/hr

IHOP Cooks are responsible for the preparation and cooking of food products accurately and with minimal waste. Duties of this position include learning and applying all IHOP-specialized galley ...

IHOP

Cook

West Des Moines, IA

$17 - $19/hr

IHOP Cooks are responsible for the preparation and cooking of food products accurately and with minimal waste. Duties of this position include learning and applying all IHOP-specialized galley ...

IHOP

Cook

Urbandale, IA

$12 - $16/hr

IHOP Cooks are responsible for the preparation and cooking of food products accurately and with minimal waste. Duties of this position include learning and applying all IHOP-specialized galley ...

IHOP

Cook

Cedar Falls, IA

$15 - $20/hr

IHOP Cooks are responsible for the preparation and cooking of food products accurately and with minimal waste. Duties of this position include learning and applying all IHOP-specialized galley ...

Western Home Communities

Cook

Ackley, IA · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

Do you want to learn how to cook or expand your current cooking skills? The Village of Ackley is excited to provide that opportunity! We're looking for a Part-time Cook to join our team who enjoys ...

The Village of Ackley

Cook

Ackley, IA · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

Do you want to learn how to cook or expand your current cooking skills? The Village of Ackley is excited to provide that opportunity! We're looking for a Part-time Cook to join our team who enjoys ...

Western Home Communities

Cook

Ackley, IA · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

Do you want to learn how to cook or expand your current cooking skills? The Village of Ackley is excited to provide that opportunity! We're looking for a Part-time Cook to join our team who enjoys ...

The Village of Ackley

Cook

Ackley, IA

$13 - $17.50/hr

Do you want to learn how to cook or expand your current cooking skills? The Village of Ackley is excited to provide that opportunity! We're looking for a Part-time Cook to join our team who enjoys ...

Cherokee Regional Medical Center

Cook

Cherokee, IA

$13.75 - $18.25/hr

COOK REPORTS TO: Dietary Manager POSITION SUMMARY: The morning cook works from 5:30am - 2:00pm. He/She prepares meals for in-house patients, employees, hospital guests, the Beck (independent living ...

New

Mill Valley Care Center

Cook - PT

Bellevue, IA · On-site

$18/hr

An excellent cook must be able to follow instructions in cooking and delivering well-prepared meals. They must be deft in moving around the kitchen and apt in multi-tasking. Experience in using ...

Charter Senior Living

Cook

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$15 - $16/hr

) Cook - Senior Living Culinary Team Charter Senior Living Now hiring a passionate Cook to join our culinary team! Do you love cooking meals that bring comfort, joy, and connection to others? At ...

Lantis Enterprises, Inc.

Cook

Alta, IA · On-site

$17/hr

Description Cook Our recipe for success includes a great cook. Are you the missing ingredient? Join us as a Cook! We are seeking someone who can elevate institutional meals - down-home cooking is the ...

Lantis Enterprises, Inc.

Cook

Red Oak, IA · On-site

$15 - $18.75/hr

Description Cook Our recipe for success includes a great cook. Are you the missing ingredient? Join us as a Cook! We are seeking someone who can elevate institutional meals - down-home cooking is the ...

Wingstop

Cook

Ames, IA

$14/hr

A Wingstop cook is responsible to prepare quality food that tastes great and is consistent from day-to-day. This position is critical to Wingstop Restaurants; ensuring compliance with company ...

Wingstop

Cook

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$14/hr

A Wingstop cook is responsible to prepare quality food that tastes great and is consistent from day-to-day. This position is critical to Wingstop Restaurants; ensuring compliance with company ...

Wingstop

Cook

Coralville, IA

$14/hr

A Wingstop cook is responsible to prepare quality food that tastes great and is consistent from day-to-day. This position is critical to Wingstop Restaurants; ensuring compliance with company ...

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All JobsCooker JobsCooker Jobs in Iowa

Cooker information

See Iowa salary details

$14

$17

$20

How much do cooker jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooker in Iowa is $17.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.73 and $19.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

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 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 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 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 popular job titles related to Cooker jobs in Iowa? For Cooker jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Cooker jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Cooker jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Cooker jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Cooker job openings:
Cooker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cooker job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $37,382 per year, or $18 per hour.
Cooker Operator

Cooker Operator

Darling Ingredients

Sioux City, IA • On-site

$16.25 - $21/hr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Darling Ingredients rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 57 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

177th of 432 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Job Summary

The Cooker Operator is responsible for the operation of PLC to control the machinery. They must monitor pumps and grinders to ensure quality assurance.

Shift:

Night Shift

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

  • Always conduct yourself in a safe and controlled manner
  • Blow grease lines as required
  • Clean up to include but not limited to shoveling the floor, hosing floors and machinery down, using wheelbarrows and PIT's.
  • Operate the cooking process within selected parameters
  • Document plant operations per our GMP program
  • Notify shift manager of any issues or maintenance problems
  • Attendance at all safety meetings required
  • All other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

  • Must be 18 years of age.
  • Manufacturing, industrial, or agricultural experience preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prior experience in a rendering facility or production environment preferred.
  • High School diploma or GED preferred
  • Works well with others in a team environment.
  • Dependable; reliable; ability to work nights and/or weekends as needed.

Physical Demands

  • Constantly required to walk, stand, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crawl, and crouch.
  • Must be able to stand for 8 hours and work 12 hour shifts occasionally
  • Occasionally lift up to 25 lbs.
  • Regularly required reach with hands and arms

Darling Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military service, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state and local law. Know Your Rights: If you would like more information, please click on the link and paste into your browser: https://www.eeoc.gov/poster

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