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Cooking Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cooks Assistant

Massillon, OH

$13.75 - $16.50/hr

This role assists with preparing, cooking, packaging, and maintaining quality standards for meals while ensuring compliance with food safety and health department regulations. The Cook's Assistant ...

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Cooking Assistant information

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

To thrive as a Cooking Assistant, you need basic culinary knowledge, food safety awareness, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, food handling procedures, and certifications like a Food Handler’s Permit are typically required. Strong teamwork, time management, and attention to detail are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications ensure efficient food preparation, a safe kitchen environment, and smooth collaboration within the culinary team.

What are some common challenges faced by Cooking Assistants during busy service periods?

Cooking Assistants often experience high-pressure situations during peak meal times, where quick and accurate preparation of ingredients is crucial. Managing multiple tasks simultaneously—such as chopping vegetables, prepping proteins, and maintaining a clean workstation—can be challenging but is essential for a smooth kitchen operation. Clear communication with chefs and other kitchen staff helps prevent mistakes and ensures timely service. Adapting to a fast-paced environment and staying organized are key to overcoming these challenges.

What are Cooking Assistants?

Cooking Assistants, sometimes known as kitchen assistants or prep cooks, are entry-level staff members who support chefs and cooks in the preparation and organization of food in a kitchen. Their duties typically include washing and chopping ingredients, maintaining cleanliness, organizing supplies, and occasionally assisting with simple cooking tasks. Cooking Assistants play a crucial role in ensuring the kitchen runs efficiently and that food is prepared quickly and safely.

What is the difference between Cooking Assistant vs Kitchen Helper?

AspectCooking AssistantKitchen Helper
Required CredentialsBasic culinary skills, sometimes food safety certificationMinimal credentials, on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, cateringRestaurants, cafeterias, food prep areas
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in food service establishmentsOften used interchangeably with Cooking Assistant, but more general

The Cooking Assistant and Kitchen Helper roles both support kitchen operations, but Cooking Assistants typically have more culinary responsibilities and may require basic food safety knowledge. Kitchen Helpers usually perform more general support tasks with less emphasis on cooking skills. Both roles are essential in food service environments, but Cooking Assistants often have a slightly higher skill requirement and more involvement in food preparation.

More about Cooking Assistant jobs
What cities are hiring for Cooking Assistant jobs? Cities with the most Cooking Assistant job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Cooking jobs? The most popular types of Cooking jobs are:
What states have the most Cooking Assistant jobs? States with the most job openings for Cooking Assistant jobs include:

$16 - $19/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Nino Salvaggio rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee discounts
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance

BE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTOR TO OUR BUSY KITCHEN!
Nino Salvaggio is currently looking for a Prep Cook for our Troy location.
RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Prepare and cook lasagna according to company recipes.
  • Cut and prepare vegetables for soups following the direction of management.
  • Operate large-volume cooking equipment, such as grills, kettles, griddles and smoker.
  • Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking.
  • Assist in packaging soup and other products made in the commissary kitchen.
  • Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.
  • Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or piercing them with utensils to ensure quality standards.
  • Clean and inspect galley equipment, kitchen appliances and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation.
  • Inspect and clean food preparation areas, such as equipment and work surfaces, to ensure safe and sanitary food-handling practices.
  • Operate all necessary and authorized equipment according to company policies, procedures and safety guidelines.
  • Handle any damaged and/or spoiled product according to company guidelines and assist in controlling the level of damaged goods.
  • Comply with safety and sanitation policies and procedures as outlined in the employee handbook, postings, and manuals, etc.
  • Notify management immediately of any safety or equipment issues or violations.
  • Assist in training associates when necessary.
  • Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:

  • One year of cook experience, preferred.
  • Must have reliable transportation.
  • Must have some weekend availability.
  • High school diploma or GED preferred, but not required.
  • Knowledge of the quality standards, varieties, preparation methods, etc. of the various products/food products available in the department.
  • Must be able to work with all products and equipment available within the department including ovens, grills, stoves, knives, slicers*, etc. (*Must be 18 years old to use slicers).
  • Ability to work in extreme cold and wet and/or humid conditions.
  • Must be able to stand and/or walk for 8 or more hour periods.
  • Must be able to regularly bend, lift and/or move 25 pounds.
BENEFITS:

  • 401K match
  • Employee discount
  • Health
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Flexible Spending
  • Supplemental Benefits
If you are interested in this position, please follow the 2 step application process which includes a formal application after some initial questions.
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