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Cooks Assistant Jobs in Mattoon, IL (NOW HIRING)

Avid Health at Home

Caregiver

Effingham, IL · On-site

$17 - $22/hr

Description Responsibilities * Assist clients with ambulation and mobility around the house or ... Knowledge of housekeeping activities and cooking with attention to dietary constraints

Avid Health at Home

Caregiver

Effingham, IL · On-site

$17 - $22/hr

Responsibilities * Assist clients with ambulation and mobility around the house or outside (doctor ... Knowledge of housekeeping activities and cooking with attention to dietary constraints

Avid Health at Home

Caregiver

Effingham, IL · On-site

$17 - $22/hr

Help clients take prescribed medication * Assist clients with ambulation and mobility around the ... Knowledge of housekeeping activities and cooking with attention to dietary constraints

Avid Health at Home

Caregiver

Effingham, IL · On-site

$17 - $22/hr

Help clients take prescribed medication * Assist clients with ambulation and mobility around the ... Knowledge of housekeeping activities and cooking with attention to dietary constraints

Avid Health at Home

Caregiver

Effingham, IL · On-site

$17 - $22/hr

Help clients take prescribed medication * Assist clients with ambulation and mobility around the ... Knowledge of housekeeping activities and cooking with attention to dietary constraints

Guernsey Holdings LLC

Shift Manager

Charleston, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $17.50/hr

... * Assist with new employee orientation and training * Comply with all company policies, procedures ... while cooking; frequent exposure to freezer when stocking food items; occasional exposure to ...

Sonic Drive-In

Shift Manager

Charleston, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $17.50/hr

... * Assist with new employee orientation and training * Comply with all company policies, procedures ... while cooking; frequent exposure to freezer when stocking food items; occasional exposure to ...

Avid Health at Home

Caregiver

Effingham, IL · On-site

$17/hr

Help clients take prescribed medication * Assist clients with ambulation and mobility around the ... Knowledge of housekeeping activities and cooking with attention to dietary constraints

Chick-fil-A

Culinary (Kitchen) Professional

Mattoon, IL · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

Prepare, cook, assemble, and present food safely, quickly and efficiently, meeting Chick-fil-A standards * Be knowledgeable of the assignments for all kitchen stations, including fries, breading ...

Chick-fil-A

Culinary (Kitchen) Professional

Mattoon, IL · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

Prepare, cook, assemble, and present food safely, quickly and efficiently, meeting Chick-fil-A standards * Be knowledgeable of the assignments for all kitchen stations, including fries, breading ...

Pacs

Dietary Aide

Sullivan, IL · On-site

$16.28 - $20/hr

... Cook and Dietary supervisor. Essential Duties Must be able to learn food service routine within a short period. Set up meal trays. Must strip down returned trays and start washing dishes. Assist with ...

Walgreens

Shift Lead

Effingham, IL

$12.75 - $15.75/hr

Assists manager or assistant store manager in evaluating and developing displays, including ... Assists with separation of food items (e.g., raw foods from pre-cooked) and product placement as ...

Villas of Holly Brook

Dietary Aide

Charleston, IL · On-site

$15 - $17.50/hr

Responsibilities Responsible for setting and clearing tables, assisting the cook, taking residents ... Adhere to Quality standards and standard food safety practices. * Assist with preparation and ...

Walgreens

Shift Lead

Mattoon, IL · On-site

$13 - $16/hr

Assists manager or assistant store manager in evaluating and developing displays, including ... Assists with separation of food items (e.g., raw foods from pre-cooked) and product placement as ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsCooks JobsCooks Assistant JobsCooks Assistant Jobs in Mattoon, IL

Cooks Assistant information

See Mattoon, IL salary details

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$15

$19

How much do cooks assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooks assistant in Mattoon, IL is $15.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.56 and $16.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cooks assistant?

Cooks Assistants, also known as kitchen assistants or prep cooks, support chefs and cooks in preparing food in commercial kitchens. Their duties typically include washing and chopping ingredients, cleaning workstations, organizing kitchen supplies, and sometimes assisting with basic cooking tasks. They play a crucial role in keeping the kitchen running smoothly and efficiently, ensuring that chefs have everything they need to prepare meals. This position is often an entry point into the culinary field and offers valuable hands-on experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cooks assistant?

To thrive as a Cooks Assistant, you need a basic understanding of food preparation, kitchen safety, and sanitation practices, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food handling certifications, and inventory systems is typically required. Strong teamwork, time management, and attention to detail are soft skills that help you excel in fast-paced kitchen environments. These skills and qualifications are vital for maintaining food quality, ensuring safety, and supporting the smooth operation of the kitchen.

What are some common challenges faced by a cooks assistant and how can they be overcome?

As a Cook's Assistant, you may face challenges such as working in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks at once, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness and food safety. To overcome these challenges, it's important to stay organized, communicate effectively with the kitchen team, and be proactive in anticipating the needs of the cooks. Developing good time management skills and being adaptable to sudden changes in orders or priorities will also help you thrive in this role.

What is the difference between Cooks Assistant vs Kitchen Helper?

AspectCooks AssistantKitchen Helper
CredentialsMinimal; often no formal certificationMinimal; often no formal certification
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, cateringCommercial kitchens, restaurants, catering
Job RoleAssists cooks with food prep, cleaning, basic tasksSupports kitchen staff with cleaning, prep, and general support
Employer UsageCommonly used in hospitality and food serviceCommonly used in hospitality and food service

While both roles support kitchen operations, a Cooks Assistant typically performs more food preparation tasks under supervision, whereas a Kitchen Helper focuses on cleaning and general support. Both roles are entry-level and essential in maintaining efficient kitchen workflows.

What cities near Mattoon, IL are hiring for Cooks Assistant jobs?

Cities near Mattoon, IL with the most Cooks Assistant job openings:

Cooks Assistant jobs near you

Kitchen Team (P1-1376641-1)

Panda Restaurant Group

Mattoon, IL • On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Greet guests, serve food, and handle payments at the cash register.

  • Maintain the cleanliness and appearance of the store.

  • Follow operations standards and safety procedures to serve fresh and quality food.

Panda Express rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 738 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 107 rated fast food restaurants

Job description

Join us as a Kitchen Team Associate
We're looking for friendly team players to cook delicious food while maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness for our guests. Thrive in a safe and supportive work environment with team members who become friends. There's always something new to learn, do, and accomplish. If you don't have experience, we'll train you! You'll get opportunities to gain skills that help you rise in your career, no matter where you go. We're all about giving back, so you'll also get the chance to impact your community through our Panda Cares initiative. Let's work together.
Essential Functions for Kitchen Team Associates:
  • Provides exceptional dining experience to Guests - Greeting Guests, Serving food and handling payments at cash register
  • Maintains the cleanliness and appearance of the store
  • Follows Operations Standards and Safety Procedure to serve fresh and quality food
  • Works efficiently in fast paced kitchen environment, and may work at different positions - Front counter, Drive Through or Kitchen
  • Work effectively with team members to meet daily goals in a fun, positive environment.

Qualification:
  • Friendly and helpful team members
  • Operations experience is a plus
  • Some high school
  • Food Handler certification may be required depending on local requirements, acquired at your expense

How we reward you:**
  • Flexible schedules
  • Great pay
  • Free meals while working at Panda
  • Medical, Vision, Dental, Voluntary Short-Term Disability, Cancer Income Protection insurance for full-time associates
  • Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending accounts
  • 401K with company match
  • Vacation, sick leave, bereavement/funeral leave and Leave Share Program for eligible associates
  • Associate discounts for many brands
  • Referral bonus for eligible associates
  • Opportunity to give back to your community
  • Hands-on paid training to prepare you for success
  • On-Going Career & Leadership Development
  • Opportunities for growth into management positions
  • Pre-Tax Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
  • Please refer to https://www.pandacareers.com/files/PRG_HR_Recruiting_Benefits.pdf for details.

**Candidates must meet, and continue to meet if employed, eligibility requirements for each benefit to qualify.
ADA Statement:
While performing duties, counter areas are often hot with steam from steam table and food vapors. Workspace is restricted and employees are generally expected to remain standing for long periods of time. Employees must prepare hot and cold foods, use Chinese cook knife and other kitchen equipment and work quickly without losing accuracy. Employees must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., stand up to four hours and reach across counter tops measured at 36 inches to serve customers. Kitchens are hot and noise levels are usually high; storage space is limited and shelving is high. Employees must be able to work in a fast-paced work environment, have effective verbal communication skills, ability to adapt to a dynamic environment with changing priorities, and the ability to manage conflicts/difficult situations.
Panda Strong since 1983:
Founded in Glendale, California, we are now the largest family-owned American Chinese Restaurant concept in America. With close to 2,800 locations globally, we continue our mission of delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives. Whether it's impacting our team or the communities we work in, we're proud to be an organization that embraces family values.
You're wanted here:
Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity, and does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law, including but not limited to sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related conditions), gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, and veteran status. Additionally, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. complies with all federal, state, and local laws regarding requests for workplace accommodation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability. Applicants are entitled to reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, to effectively participate in the application and hiring process, for example, sign language interpreters. If you believe you require an accommodation for the application or interview process or for the position for which you are applying, please reach out to TASupport@PandaRG.com .
Pay Range: $17 per hour - $20 per hour
*Within the range, individual pay is determined using various factors, including work location and experience.

What Panda Express employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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About Panda Express

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Panda Express is a leader in the quick-service restaurant industry, specializing in American Chinese cuisine. It was established in 1983 in Glendale, California by Andrew and Peggy Cherng and has grown to become the largest Asian segment restaurant chain in the United States, with in excess of 2,200 locations. Its headquarters are located in Rosemead, California. The eatery offers a variety of menu items, including their signature dish, Orange Chicken, along with other favorites like Kung Pao Chicken and Beef and Broccoli. Guided by their mission to "deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences," Panda Express is beloved by many for its convenience, consistently high quality, and innovative twists on traditional Chinese dishes.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Rosemead, CA, US

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