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Cooking Job Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Cook

Council Bluffs, IA

$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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Cook

Urbandale, IA

$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 ...

Cook

West Des Moines, 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 ...

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 ...

Cook

Ackley, IA

$13 - $17.50/hr

Direct and assist team members in the planning, preparation, cooking, and serving of meals * Prepare high-quality, great-tasting, and visually appealing food * Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary ...

Cook

Ackley, IA · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

Direct and assist team members in the planning, preparation, cooking, and serving of meals * Prepare high-quality, great-tasting, and visually appealing food * Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary ...

Cook

Ackley, IA

$13 - $17.50/hr

Direct and assist team members in the planning, preparation, cooking, and serving of meals * Prepare high-quality, great-tasting, and visually appealing food * Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary ...

Cook

Ackley, IA · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

Direct and assist team members in the planning, preparation, cooking, and serving of meals * Prepare high-quality, great-tasting, and visually appealing food * Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary ...

Cook

Webster City, IA · On-site

$17/hr

Cooking or food service experience preferred * Knowledge of food safety standards * Ability to work in a fast-paced environment Apply today to contribute to resident dining as a Cook at Crestview ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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Showing results 1-20

Cooking Job information

See Iowa salary details

$9

$16

$20

How much do cooking job jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 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 jobs can you do if you like cooking?

If you enjoy cooking, you can pursue roles such as chef, line cook, pastry chef, or sous chef in restaurants and hotels. Other options include catering, food styling, food service management, or working as a personal chef or culinary instructor, often requiring culinary training or certifications.

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 highest paying job in cooking?

The highest paying jobs in cooking are executive chef and culinary director roles, which can earn six-figure salaries, especially in high-end restaurants or hotel chains. These positions require extensive experience, leadership skills, and often advanced culinary certifications or degrees.

Can I get paid to cook at home?

Cooking jobs can include freelance catering, private chef services, or online cooking instruction, which allow individuals to earn money by preparing food at home or remotely. These roles often require culinary skills, food safety knowledge, and sometimes certifications, and may involve scheduling flexibility or client interactions.

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 are some careers that involve cooking?

Careers that involve cooking include chef, cook, sous chef, pastry chef, line cook, and culinary instructor. These roles typically require knowledge of food preparation, kitchen safety, and often certification or training in culinary arts. Opportunities exist in restaurants, hotels, catering, and institutional food services.

What are cooking jobs?

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:
Infographic showing various Cooking Job job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 61% Full Time, 36% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $33,421 per year, or $16.1 per hour.

$13 - $17.50/hr

Other

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

As a SONIC Drive-In restaurant Cook, you will oversee the Appetite Satisfaction Department, which involves operating the following stations: Food Production, Grill, Fryer and other tasks if applicable.
Job opportunities as Cook / Food Prep / Kitchen Team Member / BOH Crew Member is generally offered as full time or part time restaurant job.
Prior experience as a cook, grill cook, fry cook, prep cook, line cook, chef, or restaurant crew member, team member or other BOH part time restaurant jobs is not required but preferred.

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 station
- Dressing items to order
- Packaging all menu items and checking for product quality and consistency
- Cleaning including trash disposal, mopping, sweeping, washing dishes, wiping counter-tops and sanitizing food areas
Job opportunities as Cook / Food Prep / Kitchen Team Member / BOH Crew Member is generally offered as full time or part time restaurant job.
Prior experience as a cook, grill cook, fry cook, prep cook, line cook, chef, or restaurant crew member, team member or other BOH part time restaurant jobs is not required but preferred.

Special Instructions

Please do not send any emails, resumes, or call.
We are making it really easy to apply for this position.
Simply submit a ZippyApp application package which may include the Common Employment Application, Resume, and a Cover Letter. In your Cover Letter, please write a short paragraph describing yourself and why you would make a great addition to our team.

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