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Cooking Helper Jobs in Nebraska (NOW HIRING)

Cook

Papillion, NE · On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

As a Cook, you will help bring that mission to life by preparing and serving nutritious, appetizing meals while maintaining high standards for food safety, sanitation, infection control, and kitchen ...

Cook

Papillion, NE · On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

As a Cook, you will help bring that mission to life by preparing and serving nutritious, appetizing meals while maintaining high standards for food safety, sanitation, infection control, and kitchen ...

New

Cook

Saint Paul, NE · On-site

$14 - $18.75/hr

This position is responsible for preparing and cooking all meals for patients, employees and ... HCMC is proud to be a vital part of our community and continue to grow with the help of our donors ...

Cook

Paul, NE · On-site

$12.50 - $16.75/hr

This position is responsible for preparing and cooking all meals for patients, employees and ... HCMC is proud to be a vital part of our community and continue to grow with the help of our donors ...

Cook - Kawasaki

Lincoln, NE · On-site

$12.25 - $16.50/hr

... cooking styles. At Aramark, we care about your health, so we have production guidelines and safety procedures in place to help you do what you love. Get ready to reach new heights, ignite your ...

Cook - Kawasaki

Lincoln, NE · On-site

$12.25 - $16.50/hr

... cooking styles. At Aramark, we care about your health, so we have production guidelines and safety procedures in place to help you do what you love. Get ready to reach new heights, ignite your ...

Cook - Kawasaki

Lincoln, NE · On-site

$12.25 - $16.25/hr

... cooking styles. At Aramark, we care about your health, so we have production guidelines and safety procedures in place to help you do what you love. Get ready to reach new heights, ignite your ...

Your responsibilities will include: - Preparing and cooking menu items to our high standards ... No problem! We're happy to help you grow your skills. Perks of the Job At B&J's, we take care of ...

Cook PT

Bellevue, NE · On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

If you enjoy cooking, take pride in quality, and want your work to make a difference, we invite you to apply for the Cook - Hillcrest Health & Rehab role. Join Hillcrest Health & Living and help us ...

Cook

Omaha, NE

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

... and help us continue the Louisiana tradition of cooking and serving with love. Enjoy paid training, flexible scheduling, and comprehensive benefits while working in a supportive and stable ...

Cook

Omaha, NE

$13.50 - $17/hr

... and help us continue the Louisiana tradition of cooking and serving with love. Enjoy paid training, flexible scheduling, and comprehensive benefits while working in a supportive and stable ...

Cook

Lincoln, NE

$13.50 - $17/hr

... and help us continue the Louisiana tradition of cooking and serving with love. Enjoy paid training, flexible scheduling, and comprehensive benefits while working in a supportive and stable ...

Cook

Omaha, NE · On-site

$13.50 - $17/hr

... and help us continue the Louisiana tradition of cooking and serving with love. Enjoy paid training, flexible scheduling, and comprehensive benefits while working in a supportive and stable ...

Cook

La Vista, NE

$13.50 - $17/hr

... and help us continue the Louisiana tradition of cooking and serving with love. Enjoy paid training, flexible scheduling, and comprehensive benefits while working in a supportive and stable ...

Cook

Omaha, NE

$13.50 - $17/hr

... and help us continue the Louisiana tradition of cooking and serving with love. Enjoy paid training, flexible scheduling, and comprehensive benefits while working in a supportive and stable ...

Showing results 21-40

Cooking Helper information

What is a cooking helper?

Cooking Helpers are kitchen staff who assist chefs and cooks by performing basic food preparation tasks, such as washing, peeling, and chopping ingredients, as well as maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen. They often help with setting up workstations, measuring ingredients, and ensuring that all necessary items are available for meal preparation. Cooking Helpers play a vital role in keeping kitchen operations efficient and organized, supporting the culinary team in delivering quality meals.

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

To thrive as a Cooking Helper, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of kitchen safety, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, food handling certifications, and basic inventory systems are commonly required. Dependability, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently in a team are valuable soft skills. These skills are important to ensure food is prepared safely and efficiently, supporting kitchen operations and maintaining high standards of hygiene.

What are some common challenges faced by cooking helpers in a busy kitchen, and how can they overcome them?

Cooking Helpers often work in fast-paced environments where multitasking and attention to detail are crucial. Common challenges include managing time efficiently, maintaining cleanliness while juggling multiple prep tasks, and communicating clearly with chefs and other team members. To overcome these challenges, it's important to stay organized, ask for clarification when needed, and prioritize tasks based on kitchen needs. Building strong teamwork skills and being adaptable to sudden changes in orders or kitchen workflow will help you succeed and grow in this role.

What is the difference between Cooking Helper vs Kitchen Assistant?

AspectCooking HelperKitchen Assistant
Required CredentialsNone typically required, on-the-job training commonNone typically required, on-the-job training common
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, catering servicesCommercial kitchens, restaurants, catering services
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in hospitality and food service industriesCommonly used in hospitality and food service industries
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with food prep, cleaning, basic cooking tasksSupporting kitchen staff, cleaning, prep work

Both Cooking Helpers and Kitchen Assistants work in similar environments and perform supportive roles in food service. While their responsibilities often overlap, Cooking Helpers typically focus more on assisting with food preparation and basic cooking tasks, whereas Kitchen Assistants may have broader support duties, including cleaning and equipment maintenance. Both roles are entry-level and require minimal formal credentials, making them accessible entry points into the culinary industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cooking jobs in Nebraska?

The most popular types of Cooking jobs in Nebraska are:

What are popular job titles related to Cooking Helper jobs in Nebraska?

For Cooking Helper jobs in Nebraska, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cooking Helper jobs in Nebraska look for?

The top searched job categories for Cooking Helper jobs in Nebraska are:

Infographic showing various Cooking Helper job openings in Nebraska as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 32% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution.

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

Full-Time Cook (Culinary Chef) - Hillcrest Shadow Lake
Location: Papillion, NE
Service Line: Hillcrest Shadow Lake
Schedule: Full-Time | 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Some Weekends & Holidays Required
Hillcrest Health & Living is looking for a dependable, experienced, and service-focused Cook (Culinary Chef) to join our culinary team at Hillcrest Shadow Lake in Papillion, NE.
Hillcrest Shadow Lake provides a welcoming senior living environment where residents are supported with personalized care, meaningful connections, and the opportunity to maintain as much independence as possible. Our culinary team plays an important role in creating a positive daily experience by preparing meals that are nutritious, appealing, and enjoyable.
At Hillcrest, our mission is simple: Inspiring people to live their best lives. As a Cook, you will help bring that mission to life by preparing and serving nutritious, appetizing meals while maintaining high standards for food safety, sanitation, infection control, and kitchen operations.
What You'll Do
As a Cook, you will prepare meals using a variety of cooking methods while ensuring individual dietary needs, food-safety standards, and established culinary procedures are followed.
You will:
  • Prepare and serve nutritious, appetizing, and visually appealing meals.
  • Prepare foods using a variety of cooking methods, including à la carte and quantity cooking.
  • Prepare mechanically altered and therapeutically modified foods according to physician orders.
  • Follow established recipes, menus, portion standards, and dietary requirements.
  • Follow HACCP cooking procedures with a strong emphasis on infection control and food safety.
  • Maintain high sanitation standards throughout your work area and the entire kitchen.
  • Complete required opening and closing procedures and properly secure culinary areas.
  • Clean and sanitize culinary equipment according to established equipment-cleaning procedures.
  • Monitor and document dry, refrigerated, and frozen food-storage areas as required.
  • Complete required food-safety and regulatory documentation accurately and timely.
  • Properly store, label, and handle food products to maintain quality and safety.
  • Safely store and use cleaning chemicals according to MSDS and OSHA requirements.
  • Provide direction to Hosts/Hostesses during the shift and help ensure assigned responsibilities are completed.
  • Work collaboratively with culinary and community team members to keep meal service running smoothly.
  • Assist with additional culinary responsibilities when needed.
  • Be flexible in supporting other responsibilities or positions temporarily when operational needs require.

The role includes food preparation, therapeutic and mechanically altered diets, HACCP compliance, infection control, sanitation, documentation, equipment cleaning, and supporting daily culinary operations.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who enjoys cooking, takes pride in the quality of their work, and understands that meals are an important part of a resident's day.
The right candidate will be organized, dependable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced kitchen while maintaining strong attention to food safety, dietary requirements, sanitation, and presentation.
Ideal candidates will have:
  • Previous restaurant, hotel, senior living, healthcare, institutional, or similar cooking experience preferred.
  • Experience preparing meals in a high-volume kitchen environment.
  • Strong understanding of food-safety and sanitation practices.
  • Ability to follow recipes, menus, therapeutic diets, and food-preparation standards.
  • Strong attention to detail with food temperatures, storage, sanitation, and required documentation.
  • Ability to manage multiple food-preparation priorities during busy meal periods.
  • Dependability and consistent follow-through.
  • Strong organization and time-management skills.
  • Ability to remain calm and flexible when priorities or meal-service needs change.
  • Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative culinary team.
  • A service-focused approach when preparing meals for aging adults.
  • Willingness to assist team members and support other culinary responsibilities when needed.

Education & Experience
  • High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
  • At least two years of hotel or restaurant line-cooking experience preferred.

Why Hillcrest?
Meals are an important part of everyday life at Hillcrest Shadow Lake.
For residents, food can provide comfort, familiarity, connection, and something to look forward to each day. That means the work happening behind the scenes in the kitchen matters.
As a Cook, you will have the opportunity to use your culinary skills in a setting where the meals you prepare have a direct impact on the people you serve. You will also work closely with a team that understands the importance of both great food and excellent service.
This full-time day opportunity from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. is a great fit for an experienced cook who enjoys an earlier schedule while still being part of a fast-paced culinary environment.
What Hillcrest Offers
  • Competitive compensation.
  • Full-time day schedule.
  • 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. hours.
  • Some weekends and holidays required.
  • Multiple health insurance plan options.
  • Vision, dental, and life insurance.
  • Professional development support, including tuition reimbursement, certifications, and career-growth programs.
  • Dayforce Wallet, allowing you to choose when you get paid.
  • Gym membership reimbursement and partner discounts.
  • Supportive leadership and a collaborative culinary team.
  • Opportunities to grow within a mission-driven senior care organization.

Physical & Other Requirements
  • Must be able to speak, read, and write English.
  • Must be able to independently lift up to 35 pounds.
  • Must be able to perform repetitive sitting, bending, standing, walking, reaching, lifting, and movement as needed.
  • Must be flexible and calm when working in stressful or changing situations.
  • Must be able to work in a fast-paced culinary environment with strong attention to detail.
  • Must be able to safely utilize culinary equipment, cleaning chemicals, technology, and available resources.
  • Must follow established HACCP, infection-control, sanitation, MSDS, and OSHA requirements.
  • Must be available to work some weekends and holidays as scheduled.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Ready to Cook With Purpose?
If you are an experienced Cook who takes pride in preparing quality meals and wants to be part of a team where your work has a meaningful impact, we invite you to apply for the Full-Time Cook - Hillcrest Shadow Lake position.
Join Hillcrest Health & Living and help us continue inspiring people to live their best lives through great food, dependable service, and an enjoyable dining experience.