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Cooking Helper Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Pie Five Pizza

Prep Kitchen Helper

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$12 - $14/hr

Prepares and cooks pizzas * Assists with preparation of other menu items such as spicy wings, salads, and desserts * Complies with all portion sizes, quality standards, policies, and procedures.

Bottleneck Management

Prep Cook

Naperville, IL · On-site

$14.25 - $18/hr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Prep Cooks help prepare and maintain assigned par levels of food items. They produce all proteins, sauces, dressing, and stocks from scratch; they are the heart of the kitchen. Prep Cook upholds the ...

Bottleneck Management

Prep Cook

Chicago, IL · On-site

$14.75 - $18.50/hr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Prep Cooks help prepare and maintain assigned par levels of food items. They produce all proteins, sauces, dressing, and stocks from scratch; they are the heart of the kitchen. Prep Cook upholds the ...

Performance Team

COMMERCIAL COOKING TECHNICIAN

Carol Stream, IL · On-site

$25 - $50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... cooking equipment, we want you to apply!" Commercial Kitchen Equipment (Hot Side) Service ... help our customers run a more profitable business. Let us know if you want to be part of our team!

PT Holdings LLC

COMMERCIAL COOKING TECHNICIAN

Carol Stream, IL · On-site

$25 - $50/hr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... cooking equipment, we want you to apply!" Commercial Kitchen Equipment (Hot Side) Service ... help our customers run a more profitable business. Let us know if you want to be part of our team!

Great Lakes South Town

COMMERCIAL COOKING TECHNICIAN

Gary, IN · On-site

$25 - $50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... cooking equipment, we want you to apply!" Commercial Kitchen Equipment (Hot Side) Service ... help our customers run a more profitable business. Let us know if you want to be part of our team!

Great Lakes South Town

COMMERCIAL COOKING TECHNICIAN

Elgin, IL · On-site

$25 - $50/hr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... cooking equipment, we want you to apply!" Commercial Kitchen Equipment (Hot Side) Service ... help our customers run a more profitable business. Let us know if you want to be part of our team!

Great Lakes South Town

COMMERCIAL COOKING TECHNICIAN

Gary, IN · On-site

$25 - $50/hr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... cooking equipment, we want you to apply!" Commercial Kitchen Equipment (Hot Side) Service ... help our customers run a more profitable business. Let us know if you want to be part of our team!

Great Lakes South Town

COMMERCIAL COOKING TECHNICIAN

Lansing, IL · On-site

$25 - $50/hr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... cooking equipment, we want you to apply!" Commercial Kitchen Equipment (Hot Side) Service ... help our customers run a more profitable business. Let us know if you want to be part of our team!

Great Lakes South Town

COMMERCIAL COOKING TECHNICIAN

Gary, IN · On-site

$25 - $50/hr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... cooking equipment, we want you to apply!" Commercial Kitchen Equipment (Hot Side) Service ... help our customers run a more profitable business. Let us know if you want to be part of our team!

doco

Pastry Helper

Chicago, IL

$16.25 - $20.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

We have an incredible opportunity for a dynamic, energetic, and eager Pastry Helper in Des Plaines ... Responsibilities: * Assist pastry production team, chefs, and cooks with mixing pastry products ...

doco

Pastry Helper

Chicago, IL · On-site

$16.25 - $20.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

We have an incredible opportunity for a dynamic, energetic, and eager Pastry Helper in Des Plaines ... Responsibilities: * Assist pastry production team, chefs, and cooks with mixing pastry products ...

DO & CO

Pastry Helper

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$19.35/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

We have an incredible opportunity for a dynamic, energetic, and eager Pastry Helper in Des Plaines ... Responsibilities: * Assist pastry production team, chefs, and cooks with mixing pastry products ...

Great Lakes South Town

COMMERCIAL COOKING TECHNICIAN

Elgin, IL · On-site

$25 - $50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... cooking equipment, we want you to apply!" Commercial Kitchen Equipment (Hot Side) Service ... help our customers run a more profitable business. Let us know if you want to be part of our team!

PT Holdings LLC

COMMERCIAL COOKING TECHNICIAN

Frankfort, IL · On-site

$25 - $50/hr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... cooking equipment, we want you to apply!" Commercial Kitchen Equipment (Hot Side) Service ... help our customers run a more profitable business. Let us know if you want to be part of our team!

doco

Pastry Helper

Chicago, IL

$16.25 - $20.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

We have an incredible opportunity for a dynamic, energetic, and eager Pastry Helper in Des Plaines ... Responsibilities: * Assist pastry production team, chefs, and cooks with mixing pastry products ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsCooking Helper JobsCooking Helper Jobs in Chicago, IL

Cooking Helper information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$9

$15

$19

How much do cooking helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooking helper in Chicago, IL is $15.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.38 and $16.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Cooking jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Cooking jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Cooking Helper jobs in Chicago, IL? For Cooking Helper jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Cooking Helper jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Cooking Helper jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Cooking Helper jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Cooking Helper job openings:
Cooking Helper jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cooking Helper job openings in Chicago, IL as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,625 per year, or $15.7 per hour.

Prep Kitchen Helper

Pie Five Pizza

Oak Brook, IL • On-site

$12 - $14/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

The BOH team member is responsible for the successful execution of the Pizza Inn experience through serving


the guest in a team member capacity by performing all the back of house functions.


Essential Job Functions

Qualifications and Requirements:

Basic Qualifications

  • Prior food preparation experience of 1 year

Minimum Qualifications

  • Must be organized, flexible, and detail-oriented
  • Ability to effectively communicate with other employees
  • Ability to prioritize and multitask
  • Sense of urgency

Physical & Mental Requirements

  • Must be able to stand for periods of up to 11 hours
  • Must be able to read and write to facilitate communication
  • Must be able to speak clearly and listen attentively to team members and management
  • Must be able to bend, stoop, and kneel repeatedly over a long period of time
  • Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds

Essential Functions:

  • Able wash dishes
  • Prepares and cooks pizzas
  • Assists with preparation of other menu items such as spicy wings, salads, and desserts
  • Complies with all portion sizes, quality standards, policies, and procedures.
  • Cuts all food according to standards
  • Prepares orders for proper service
  • Evaluates the quality of the products and packages orders according to standards
  • Knows menu and able to read guest checks
  • Keeps Cut & Pack area clean and organized
  • Keeps pace with oven and products
  • Responsible for oven settings: proper speed and temperature
  • Removes orders from oven
  • Completes and is certified in the Dough Master Program (must be 18 to use dough mixer)
  • Able to roll Italian, Thin and NY dough
  • Able to prepare stuffed crust pizza
  • Able to take apart, clean and assemble the dough roller
  • Maintains a sanitary workstation environment
  • Keeps area stocked, organized, and clean at all times
  • Controls flow of traffic in kitchen
  • Helps out in other areas of the restaurant when needed
  • Completes opening and/or closing checklists
  • Perform other related duties, as assigned by company management

At PIE FIVE, we're here to change the way you think about pizza. Sure, it’s still round, it’s still sliced, and it’s still delicious, but ours is all about quality. We make our dough fresh every morning, chop garden-fresh veggies by hand, and mix up our own marinara sauce with fresh packed tomatoes. Not only that, but we give you unlimited toppings! It’s crazy, but we want you to try all our amazing ingredients so you can discover your new favorite pizza.