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Cooking Job Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Opa Time

Cook

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$17/hr

Cooking and arranging food. Cook We are looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping ...

SONIC Drive-In - W. Broadway

Cook

Council Bluffs, IA · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

Requirements/Responsibilities Essential Duties: - Preparing and cooking food orders to meet product quality standards - Food preparation and portioning - Cooking on the grill - Operating the fry ...

IHOP

Cook

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$17 - $19/hr

Must be skilled in various cooking techniques. Must know and follow sanitation procedures. Must showcase teamwork and communication skills. Must showcase great organizational skills. Must be able to ...

IHOP

Cook

Cedar Falls, IA · On-site

$15 - $20/hr

Must be skilled in various cooking techniques. Must know and follow sanitation procedures. Must showcase teamwork and communication skills. Must showcase great organizational skills. Must be able to ...

IHOP

Cook

Urbandale, IA · On-site

$12 - $16/hr

Must be skilled in various cooking techniques. Must know and follow sanitation procedures. Must showcase teamwork and communication skills. Must showcase great organizational skills. Must be able to ...

IHOP

Cook

West Des Moines, IA

$17 - $19/hr

Must be skilled in various cooking techniques. Must know and follow sanitation procedures. Must showcase teamwork and communication skills. Must showcase great organizational skills. Must be able to ...

Cherokee Regional Medical Center

Cook

Cherokee, IA · On-site

$13.75 - $18.25/hr

COOK REPORTS TO: Dietary Manager POSITION SUMMARY: The morning cook works from 5:30am - 2:00pm. He/She prepares meals for in-house patients, employees, hospital guests, the Beck (independent living ...

Mill Valley Care Center

Cook - PT

Bellevue, IA · On-site

$18/hr

Experience in using various ingredients and cooking techniques is important. The goal is to provide meals our residents will look forward to. Responsibilities * Set up workstations with all needed ...

Charter Senior Living

Cook

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$15 - $16/hr

Do you love cooking meals that bring comfort, joy, and connection to others? At Charter Senior Living, our cooks do more than prepare food - they help create meaningful dining experiences for our ...

Lantis Enterprises, Inc.

Cook

Alta, IA · On-site

$17/hr

We are seeking someone who can elevate institutional meals - down-home cooking is the goal with an emphasis on quality. If you have special skills such as baking, we'd love to hear about what you ...

Lantis Enterprises, Inc.

Cook

Red Oak, IA · On-site

$15 - $18.75/hr

We are seeking someone who can elevate institutional meals - down-home cooking is the goal. If you have special skills such as baking, we'd love to hear about what you could add to our kitchen. Red ...

Wingstop

Cook

Coralville, IA · On-site

$14/hr

Ensure that each guest has a positive, long lasting impression of the Wingstop experience Ability to practice safe cooking procedures Quickly scan and comprehend the order tickets Accurately count ...

Wingstop

Cook

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$14/hr

Ensure that each guest has a positive, long lasting impression of the Wingstop experience Ability to practice safe cooking procedures Quickly scan and comprehend the order tickets Accurately count ...

Wingstop

Cook

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$14/hr

Ensure that each guest has a positive, long lasting impression of the Wingstop experience Ability to practice safe cooking procedures Quickly scan and comprehend the order tickets Accurately count ...

Wingstop

Cook

Ames, IA · On-site

$14/hr

Ensure that each guest has a positive, long lasting impression of the Wingstop experience Ability to practice safe cooking procedures Quickly scan and comprehend the order tickets Accurately count ...

Wingstop

$14/hr

Ensure that each guest has a positive, long lasting impression of the Wingstop experience Ability to practice safe cooking procedures Quickly scan and comprehend the order tickets Accurately count ...

English Valley Nursing Care Center

Cook

North English, IA · On-site

$14 - $15/hr

Do you have a passion for cooking? If so join our team at EVNCC and help make a difference in the healthcare journey in the residents that we serve. We are looking for a day cook (5AM-1PM). Minimum ...

Wingstop

Cook

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$14/hr

Ensure that each guest has a positive, long lasting impression of the Wingstop experience Ability to practice safe cooking procedures Quickly scan and comprehend the order tickets Accurately count ...

Cassia

Cook

Boone, IA · On-site

$13.75 - $18.50/hr

Do you enjoy cooking and learning different recipe variations that will benefit residents who live in long term and assisted care campuses? Would you like to take your skills to the next level and ...

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All JobsCooking Job JobsCooking Job Jobs in Iowa

Cooking Job information

See Iowa salary details

$9

$16

$20

How much do cooking job jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooking job in Iowa is $16.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $17.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive in a cooking job, you need strong culinary skills, knowledge of food safety, and often a culinary degree or relevant kitchen experience. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and food handling certifications is typically required. Attention to detail, creativity, time management, and teamwork are standout soft skills in this field. These abilities ensure consistently high food quality, efficient kitchen operations, and a positive dining experience for customers.

What is the difference between Cooking Job vs Food Preparation Worker?

AspectCooking JobFood Preparation Worker
CredentialsNone required, culinary training preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, hotels, catering servicesFood processing plants, kitchens, cafeterias
Industry UsageCommonly used in hospitality and food serviceUsed in food manufacturing and institutional settings
Job FocusPreparing and cooking mealsPreparing ingredients, assembling dishes

Cooking jobs primarily involve preparing and cooking meals in restaurants or catering settings, often requiring culinary skills and training. Food preparation workers focus on preparing ingredients and assembling dishes, typically in food manufacturing or institutional environments. While both roles involve food handling, cooking jobs emphasize culinary techniques, whereas food prep roles concentrate on ingredient preparation.

What is a cooking job?

Cooking jobs involve preparing, cooking, and presenting food in various settings such as restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, and private homes. People in these roles may work as chefs, cooks, line cooks, or kitchen assistants, and are responsible for following recipes, ensuring food safety, and maintaining kitchen cleanliness. Cooking jobs often require creativity, efficiency, and the ability to work under pressure, especially during busy meal times. Depending on the position, formal culinary training or on-the-job experience may be necessary.

What are some common challenges faced by cooks in a busy kitchen environment?

Cooks in busy kitchens often face challenges such as managing time efficiently during rush periods, maintaining consistency in food quality, and handling multiple orders simultaneously. Strong communication with the kitchen team and front-of-house staff is crucial for smooth service. Adapting to last-minute menu changes or special dietary requests is also common, requiring flexibility and a calm demeanor under pressure.
What are popular job titles related to Cooking Job jobs in Iowa? For Cooking Job jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Cooking Job jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Cooking Job jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Cooking Job jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Cooking Job job openings:
Cooking Job jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cooking Job job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,421 per year, or $16.1 per hour.

Cook

Opa Time

Sioux City, IA • On-site

$17/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Main Responsibilities of a Cook:
  • Preparing workstations, cooking ingredients, and kitchen equipment for cooking.
  • Cooking and arranging food.
Cook Job Description:

We are looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant.

The person we are hoping to employ is first and foremost a skilled, organized, and creative cook. We are looking for someone to work as a team player, follow instructions, and help us delight our customers with delicious food from our menu. In addition to cooking prowess, great communication and organizational skills are paramount.

A good candidate for this job is a person with attention to detail who can keep the kitchen tidy and clean all while preparing, cooking, and arranging food together with the rest of our kitchen staff. We pride ourselves in our exceptional service, and we expect nothing less from our cooks. The advantage goes to candidates with a diploma from a culinary school.

Responsibilities of a Cook:
  • Maintaining a sanitized and well-organized kitchen.
  • Preparing workstations for cooking.
  • Preparing and maintaining kitchen equipment.
  • Checking the quality of the ingredients.
  • Preparing cooking ingredients using various techniques.
  • Cooking food using various culinary techniques.
  • Arranging food and ensuring appealing presentation.
  • Manage food storage, stock, and ingredient orders.
Cook Job Requirements:
  • Must have prior experience as a cook.
  • Must be skilled in operating kitchen equipment.
  • Must be skilled in various cooking techniques.
  • Must know and follow sanitation procedures.
  • Must showcase teamwork and communication skills.
  • Must showcase great organizational skills.
  • Must be able to multitask and act quickly.
  • Must carry at least a high school diploma.

Locally owned and operated since 2010, Opa Time Restaurant has been providing the Siouxland community with a family-friendly experience through our blend of Greek-American street food. Following the devastating fire that occurred on January 29, 2023 Opa Time was re-built from the ground up in 2024 and is proud to continue serving the Siouxland community. From our mouth watering gyros and Philly cheesesteaks to our delicious burgers grab a friend and an appetite and head down to Opa Time.