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Cooks Assistant Jobs in Topeka, KS (NOW HIRING)

Panda Restaurant Group

Assistant Manager

Topeka, KS · On-site

What You'll Do As An Assistant Manager: You are in charge of assisting the operation of a single ... Employees must prepare hot and cold foods, use Chinese cook knife and other kitchen equipment and ...

Panda Restaurant Group

Assistant Manager

Topeka, KS · On-site

What You'll Do As An Assistant Manager: You are in charge of assisting the operation of a single ... Employees must prepare hot and cold foods, use Chinese cook knife and other kitchen equipment and ...

Q39

Sous Chef

Lawrence, KS · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

... and cooking standards, ensuring consistent food quality. * Team Management - Train, develop, and oversee back-of-house staff, provide coaching on performance, safety, and teamwork, and assist the ...

Q39 LLC INC

Sous Chef

Lawrence, KS · On-site

$44K - $59K/yr

... and cooking standards, ensuring consistent food quality. * Team Management - Train, develop, and oversee back-of-house staff, provide coaching on performance, safety, and teamwork, and assist the ...

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Cooks Assistant information

See Topeka, KS salary details

$8

$15

$19

How much do cooks assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooks assistant in Topeka, KS is $15.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.56 and $16.30 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 Topeka, KS are hiring for Cooks Assistant jobs?

Cities near Topeka, KS with the most Cooks Assistant job openings:

Cooks Assistant jobs near you

Restaurant & Bakery Cook

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery - Dan Esmond

Topeka, KS • On-site

$12 - $14/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Prepares menu items according to recipes, portioning, and food safety standards.

  • Maintains cleanliness of the kitchen, prep areas, and equipment, and follows safety procedures.

  • Assists team members and front of house staff to ensure guest satisfaction and smooth kitchen operations.

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery rating

5.0

Company rating: 5.0 out of 10

Based on 136 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

79th of 89 rated restaurants

Job description

At Perkins Restaurant & Bakery our employees are part of the Perkins extended family and the families we serve. And you'll be responsible for making special days memorable and everyday meals something extraordinary.  At Perkins where we've experienced years of success through ensuring 100% guest satisfaction on every visit. If you want to work and grow with a company who has a proven track record of success, has an unmatched commitment to their employees and employees the best in the industry, you are in the right place! We respect one another for our talent, creativity and individual differences. We bring our greatest individual strengths to achieve success as a team. If career growth is what you are looking for- we got that too!
 
SUMMARY OF POSITION

Prepares menu items according to company policies, procedures, programs and performance standards. Responsible for helping to maintain food costs and maintain cleanliness of the kitchen at all times. Performs all duties to maximize guest satisfaction and quality of work environment as directed by Kitchen Manager or Manager on Duty.
 
POSITION ACTIVITIES AND TASKS

  • Prepares Cooking Items
  • Reports to work well-groomed, in clean and proper uniform and at all times practices good person hygiene.
  • Uses, maintains and cleans all kitchen equipment, plus preparation and storage areas.
  • Stocks and rotates products on line to ensure they are within shelf life standards.
  • Has sufficient knowledge of recipes, menu items and prep procedures to ensure correct portioning, quality, cooking time and performance standards.
  • Prepares prep items according to guest request within company standards and following food safety and sanitation procedures.
  • Controls Food Cost
  • Ensures products are accurately portioned and ensures food products are prepared as specified by recipes.
  • Utilizes FIFO (first in first out) standards when preparing items.
  • Maintains Cleanliness
  • Maintains cleanliness of the kitchen, prep areas, coolers and storage areas
  • Follows proper safety procedures and policies concerning food handling, rotation and storage
  • Conducts line sweeps throughout the shift
  • “Clean as you go” throughout the shift
  • Understands OSHA requirements and health department standards
  • Cleans all equipment on line and other areas as directed by the Kitchen manager or Manager on duty.
  • Anticipates, identifies and corrects system breakdowns to achieve maximum guest satisfaction.
  • Communicates with Manager on Duty and coworkers regarding product/service deficiencies, equipment, safety problems. Etc.
  • Keeps General Manager and Manager on Duty informed of problems and/or issues and proposes alternative solutions for consideration.
  • Assists Team Members
  • Preps items according to recipes and procedures
  • Assists dishwasher with washing and restocking dishes, pots, pans and utensils
  • Assist front of house staff with cleanliness of dining room
  • Provides guest service by communicating and cooperating with the front of house staff.
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ENVIRONMENT/WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Extensive standing and walking for up to 8 hours
  • Must be able to see at a distance (20) feet, at close range (12 inches), distinguish between shapes and utilize peripheral vision to avoid hazards.
  • Must be able to communicate clearly
  • Exposure to heat, steam, smoke, cold
  • Reaching heights of approximately 6 feet and depts. of 2 ½ - 3 feet.
  • Must have high level of mobility/flexibility in space provided
  • Must have time management skills
  • Must be able to read, write and perform addition/subtraction calculations
  • Must be able to control and utilize fingers to write, slice chop and operate equipment.
  • Must be able to fit through openings 30” wide
  • Must be able to work irregular hours under heavy pressure/stress during busy times
  • Bending, reaching, walking
  • Carrying trays of food products weighing about 50 pounds for distances up to 30 feet
  • Lifting up to 50 pounds
  • Exposure to dish and cleaning chemicals
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Receives direction and training from the Kitchen Manager or Manager on duty as to the specific procedures and assignments.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIRED:

Basic skills such as sanitation, safety, and customer service can be taught through in house training.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

None
 
Disclaimer

This position description in not intended, and should not be construed to be, an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with job. It is intended, however, to be an accurate reflection of those principle job elements essential for making decisions related to job performance, employee development and compensation. As such, the incumbent may perform other duties and responsibilities as required.
 

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