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Cooker Jobs in Schenectady, NY (NOW HIRING)

COOK - APPLEBEE'S

Rensselaer, NY · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

COOKS / KITCHEN TEAM MEMBERS This position prepares food items consistently and adheres to all recipe standards and maintains a safe working environment by using proper food handling skills and food ...

COOK - APPLEBEE'S

Johnstown, NY · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

COOKS / KITCHEN TEAM MEMBERS This position prepares food items consistently and adheres to all recipe standards and maintains a safe working environment by using proper food handling skills and food ...

COOKS / KITCHEN TEAM MEMBERS This position prepares food items consistently and adheres to all recipe standards and maintains a safe working environment by using proper food handling skills and food ...

COOK - APPLEBEE'S

Latham, NY · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

COOKS / KITCHEN TEAM MEMBERS This position prepares food items consistently and adheres to all recipe standards and maintains a safe working environment by using proper food handling skills and food ...

COOK - APPLEBEE'S

Rensselaer, NY · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

COOKS / KITCHEN TEAM MEMBERS This position prepares food items consistently and adheres to all recipe standards and maintains a safe working environment by using proper food handling skills and food ...

COOKS / KITCHEN TEAM MEMBERS This position prepares food items consistently and adheres to all recipe standards and maintains a safe working environment by using proper food handling skills and food ...

COOK - APPLEBEE'S

Schenectady, NY · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

COOKS / KITCHEN TEAM MEMBERS This position prepares food items consistently and adheres to all recipe standards and maintains a safe working environment by using proper food handling skills and food ...

Restaurant Discounts/Perks Program Line Cook accurately and efficiently cooks meats, fish, vegetables, soups and other hot food products as well as prepare and portion food products prior to cooking.

Restaurant Cook

Troy, NY · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Restaurant Discounts/Perks Program Line Cook accurately and efficiently cooks meats, fish, vegetables, soups and other hot food products as well as prepare and portion food products prior to cooking.

Cook

Schenectady, NY · On-site

$12 - $14/hr

Cook within a Fun Fast Paced Environment *$12.00-$14.00 per hour with experienceAs a SONIC Drive-In Line Cook, your primary responsibility is to provide every guest with a Super SONIC experience by:

Restaurant Cook

Amsterdam, NY · On-site

$17.50 - $20/hr

Restaurant Discounts/Perks Program Line Cook accurately and efficiently cooks meats, fish, vegetables, soups and other hot food products as well as prepare and portion food products prior to cooking.

Cook

Slingerlands, NY · On-site

$17.75 - $19/hr

Cook Responsibilities include: * Provide a high level of culinary customer service and promote a restaurant-style dining atmosphere * Participate in preparing and cooking meals according to ...

Line Cook

Albany, NY · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

A Line Cook, Wok Cook, Cook, Chef De Partie, or Station Chef accommodates guest's needs by preparing food according to established recipes and procedures as well as following safety and sanitation ...

Cook within a Fun Fast Paced Environment *$12.00-$14.00 per hour with experience As a SONIC Drive-In Line Cook, your primary responsibility is to provide every guest with a Super SONIC experience by:

Line Cook

Guilderland, NY · On-site

$16.50 - $20.75/hr

About the Job 110 Grill Albany is now hiring line cooks and prep cooks: * We are looking for both full time and part-time availability. * Nights and weekends are required; however, we do offer ...

Line Cook

Guilderland, NY · On-site

$16.50 - $20.75/hr

About the Job 110 Grill Albany is now hiring line cooks and prep cooks: * We are looking for both full time and part-time availability. * Nights and weekends are required; however, we do offer ...

Line Cook

Albany, NY · On-site

$15.75 - $19.50/hr

110 Grill Albany Is Now Hiring Line Cooks And Prep Cooks We are looking for both full time and part-time availability. Nights and weekends are required; however, we do offer flexible schedules. Line ...

Showing results 21-40

Cooker information

See Schenectady, NY salary details

$15

$18

$20

How much do cooker jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooker in Schenectady, NY is $18.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.21 and $19.76 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 Schenectady, NY are hiring for Cooker jobs?

Cities near Schenectady, NY with the most Cooker job openings:

Infographic showing various Cooker job openings in Schenectady, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $38,507 per year, or $18.5 per hour.

COOK - APPLEBEE'S

Applebee's

Rensselaer, NY • On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Applebee's rating

5.6

Company rating: 5.6 out of 10

Based on 746 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

61st of 89 rated restaurants


Job description

Applebee's started with the same philosophy we follow today - focused on serving good food to good people!

T.L. Cannon is the owner / operator of 55 Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants. The foundation of success is our Team Members, who bring remarkable industry experience to the table. As a team, we have an unparalleled commitment to exceed our guest's expectations and maintain the highest standards of service, quality, and value for our neighbors.

We offer a fun environment where real connections and friends are made!  YOU BELONG HERE!

What’s in it for you? We can offer you:

  • Paid vacation if you average 30 hours a week
  • Free shift meal when working 6+ hours
  • 401(k)
  • Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
  • A great work atmosphere
  • Flexible schedules & much more!

We're looking for talented:

  • COOKS / KITCHEN TEAM MEMBERS
This position prepares food items consistently and adheres to all recipe standards and maintains a safe working environment by using proper food handling skills and food safety guidelines. 

If you have a commitment to ensuring the best quality food for our guest and the drive to succeed, we want to hear from you!

COOK REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Eligible to work in the United States
  • 1+ year of restaurant cooking experience preferred, but not required
  • Must be able to lift 50 lbs up to 20 times per day
  • Team-oriented with a passion to succeed

OUR PRINCIPLES:

  • Respect your team; treat them as you would like to be treated.
  • Integrity is everything, act as an owner.
  • Cleanliness and attention to detail in all aspects of your restaurant.

Applebee’s is a full-service restaurant concept that has growth opportunities for team members in a well- established environment. Grow your career with us!  We offer great restaurant culinary careers for line cooks (concinero / cocinera) who have back of house cooking, chef, saute cook or grill cook kitchen experience in a high volume restaurant environment. We're also looking for people who have back of house preparation / food prep / production experience.

                                            We are a Franchisee of Applebee's and an Equal Opportunity / E-Verify Employer.

We use eVerify to confirm U.S. Employment eligibility.

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