ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Cooker Jobs in Naperville, IL (NOW HIRING)

Denny's

Cook - All Shifts

Carpentersville, IL · On-site

$118/hr

As a short order cook, line cook, grill cook, or breakfast cook, you'll be the one making sure plates hit the table hot, fresh, and on time. This isn't a station gig-you'll be cooking whole meals and ...

RREMC Restaurants

Cook - All Shifts

Carpentersville, IL · On-site

$118/hr

As a short order cook, line cook, grill cook, or breakfast cook, you'll be the one making sure plates hit the table hot, fresh, and on time. This isn't a station gig-you'll be cooking whole meals and ...

HIA Restaurant Partners LLC

Denny's Cooks

Aurora, IL

$17/hr

As a short order cook, line cook, grill cook, or breakfast cook, you'll be the one making sure plates hit the table hot, fresh, and on time. This isn't a station gig--you'll be cooking whole meals ...

RREMC Restaurants

Denny's Cooks

Aurora, IL · On-site

$17/hr

As a short order cook, line cook, grill cook, or breakfast cook, you'll be the one making sure plates hit the table hot, fresh, and on time. This isn't a station gig-you'll be cooking whole meals and ...

Gyu-Kaku

Cook

Naperville, IL · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Title : Cook Employment type : Hourly : The Cook prepares meals by chopping vegetables, slicing meats, making salads, and cooking / assembling appetizers & entrees. In addition, the Kitchen team ...

Sonic

Cook

Cicero, IL · On-site

$14 - $18.75/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

Crest Hill, IL · On-site

$13.50 - $18/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 ...

Old Tinley Pub

Kitchen Cook

Tinley Park, IL · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Old Tinley Pub is looking for a reliable Cook to join our kitchen team. This role involves preparing and cooking menu items while maintaining quality, consistency, and cleanliness in a fast-paced ...

Bridge Point

Cook Positions

Chicago, IL · On-site

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

Cook Positions - Position Summary We are seeking dependable, experienced cooks to join our culinary team. We are hiring for Banquet Cooks, Lounge Cooks, and Prep Cooks . Candidates should be ...

Wingstop

Cook

Elgin, IL · On-site

$16/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 ...

El fuego Mexican street food

cook

Tinley Park, IL · On-site

$16.50/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 ...

Leyden High School District 212

Cook

Franklin Park, IL · On-site

$14 - $18.75/hr

Food Services/Cook Date Posted: 7/18/2026 Location: East Leyden High School Leyden High School District 212 is seeking a talented candidate for the Cook position at East Leyden High School. Please ...

Wingstop

Cook

Bartlett, IL

$15/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

Elk Grove Village, IL · On-site

$15 - $17/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 ...

Sonic Drive-In

Cook

Crest Hill, IL · On-site

$13.50 - $18/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

Cicero, IL · On-site

$14 - $18.75/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 ...

Denny's

Denny's Cooks

Aurora, IL · On-site

$17/hr

As a short order cook, line cook, grill cook, or breakfast cook, you'll be the one making sure plates hit the table hot, fresh, and on time. This isn't a station gig-you'll be cooking whole meals and ...

El fuego Mexican street food

cook

Tinley Park, IL

$16.50/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 ...

Wingstop

Cook

Elgin, IL

$12 - $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 ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsCooker JobsCooker Jobs in Naperville, IL

Cooker information

See Naperville, IL salary details

$15

$19

$21

How much do cooker jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooker in Naperville, IL is $19.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.74 and $20.38 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 near Naperville, IL are hiring for Cooker jobs?

Cities near Naperville, IL with the most Cooker job openings:

Cooker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cooker job openings in Naperville, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $39,740 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Cook - All Shifts

Denny's

Carpentersville, IL • On-site

$118/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Denny's rating

4.5

Company rating: 4.5 out of 10

Based on 259 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

82nd of 88 rated restaurants

Job description

About the Job:
Denny's is hiring Short Order Cooks for multiple restaurant locations. As a short order cook, line cook, grill cook, or breakfast cook, you'll be the one making sure plates hit the table hot, fresh, and on time. This isn't a station gig-you'll be cooking whole meals and coordinating multiple tickets at once to keep the kitchen flowing. If you're looking for a role where your skills actually matter and timing is everything, this is it.
What You'll Do:
  • Cook entire meals simultaneously, coordinating multiple items for each order
  • Manage multiple tickets at a time with strong attention to timing and accuracy
  • Prepare and cook menu items including breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrées
  • Operate grills, fryers, and kitchen equipment safely and efficiently
  • Follow food safety, sanitation, and portion control standards
  • Collaborate with servers and kitchen staff to deliver excellent guest experiences
  • Keep your station clean, organized, and ready for the next rush

What We're Looking For:
  • Previous experience as a short order cook, line cook, grill cook, or restaurant cook strongly preferred
  • Ability to multitask and manage full meal prep across multiple tickets
  • Knowledge of food preparation, kitchen operations, and cooking techniques
  • Team player with solid communication skills
  • Flexible schedule availability (weekends, holidays, nights)

What We Offer:
  • Competitive hourly pay
  • Flexible scheduling (full-time and part-time available)
  • Career growth opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry
  • Employee meal discounts
  • Supportive team environment

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

What Denny's employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Denny's logo

About Denny's

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

We are the classic American diner and proud of everything that means. Since 1953, we've served quality food and healthy portions at a fair price. No matter where we are, our light is always on, inviting guests around the world into a place where everyone is welcome. Our Denny's family is our most important asset. We trust, support and respect each other and work together for the greater good. We recognize the contributions of all. "Open" means so much more than just being open 24/7. It means being open to all people, appetites and budgets. It says we're open-minded and open to new ideas. Honest, warm and inviting. "Open" is the way we think and act every hour of every day.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Spartanburg, SC, US

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All Denny's Jobs

Apply