ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Cooks Helper Jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA (NOW HIRING)

HHS LLC

Cook

Coralville, IA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Responsibilities Cook Wage: $18-20/hour Full-time and part-time positions available Day/Evening ... help the department operate efficiently Qualifications * Minimum of 2 years of experience in a ...

Hhs

Cook

Coralville, IA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Responsibilities Cook Wage: $18-20/hour Full-time and part-time positions available Day/Evening ... help the department operate efficiently Qualifications * Minimum of 2 years of experience in a ...

The Summit of Coralville

Senior Living Cook

Coralville, IA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

We are hiring for full and part time cooks. No late nights! Out by 9:00pm 1 year cooking experience ... Grace Management, Inc. is committed to helping nurture a sense of belonging by helping you grow ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCooks Helper JobsCooks Helper Jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA

Cooks Helper information

See Cedar Rapids, IA salary details

$9

$16

$20

How much do cooks helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooks helper in Cedar Rapids, IA is $16.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.05 and $19.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cooks helper?

Cooks Helpers assist chefs and cooks in the preparation and serving of food in restaurants, cafeterias, or other food service establishments. Their duties often include washing and chopping vegetables, preparing ingredients, cleaning work areas, and sometimes helping with basic cooking tasks. They play a vital role in ensuring the kitchen runs smoothly and efficiently by supporting the culinary team with day-to-day tasks. Cooks Helpers may also be responsible for stocking supplies and disposing of kitchen waste. This position is often an entry point for those interested in pursuing a career in the culinary arts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cooks helper, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cooks Helper, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of kitchen hygiene, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, food safety protocols, and inventory systems is often required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and a strong work ethic are important soft skills that help you stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining efficient kitchen operations, ensuring food safety, and supporting chefs in delivering quality meals.

What are some common challenges faced by a cooks helper, and how can they be addressed?

As a Cook's Helper, one common challenge is working efficiently in a fast-paced kitchen environment, especially during peak hours. Staying organized, communicating clearly with chefs and fellow kitchen staff, and mastering time management are key to overcoming this. Additionally, adapting quickly to changing priorities and maintaining strict food safety standards are essential. Seeking feedback and being proactive in learning new tasks can also help you succeed and potentially advance to higher kitchen positions.

What is the difference between Cooks Helper vs Kitchen Assistant?

AspectCooks HelperKitchen Assistant
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, cafeteriasCommercial kitchens, restaurants, catering services
Employer & Industry UsageFood service establishments, hotels, hospitalsFood service establishments, catering, hospitality
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both Cooks Helper and Kitchen Assistant roles typically require similar credentials and work in fast-paced kitchen environments. While their duties may overlap, Cooks Helpers often assist with food prep and basic cooking tasks, whereas Kitchen Assistants may focus more on cleaning, prep work, and supporting kitchen staff. Understanding these differences can help job seekers find the right position in the food service industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cooks jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA?

The most popular types of Cooks jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA are:

Cooks Helper jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cooks Helper job openings in Cedar Rapids, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, 34% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,146 per year, or $16.9 per hour.

Cook Part-Time for Hope Dining

Christian Retirement Services Inc

Iowa City, IA • On-site

$18.50/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Description:

With wages starting at $18.50/hour, Cooks at Oaknoll do more than plan and prepare dishes for our residents. Our Cooks help CREATE home for our residents, building lasting relationships with them and other staff members. Oaknoll is a not-for-profit community that provides resident-centered care and services through our CREATE culture.


CREATE is an acronym for our values: caring, respect, enthusiasm, awareness, teamwork, and encouragement. We believe that people should experience joyful, active, and connected lives as they age. We believe people should have the opportunity to receive competent, caring, and compassionate health care when they need it. We believe our community is both special and unique because of the people who live here, the people who work here, and the relationships that they build together. We strive to make the lives of our residents and our staff meaningful and fulfilling. If you want to share in these values and the relationships that they allow us to build, we are looking for YOU!


Oaknoll has openings for Cooks with Part-time hours available in our Hope Dining serving our licensed care population. Shifts will be from 3pm to 7pm. Some weekends and holidays will be required.


Do you want to cook for awesome people and still have a social life? Our kitchen staff generally don’t work past 8:30pm, so they still have tons of time to spend with friends and family after work! Do you want to put your culinary skills to the test? Our cooks create almost all the menu items from scratch so you will need to know more than just how to open a can. We love to incorporate new ideas to the menu and welcome suggestions.

Are you someone who:

  • can prepare menu items from recipes.
  • takes pride in maintaining a clean and safe kitchen area.
  • has at least one year experience as a line cook or a degree in culinary arts.
  • has basic cooking knowledge and knife skills.
  • has a great attitude and customer service skills.

If you said yes to any or all the above, we should talk!


Why choose Oaknoll? Not only are we a community focused not-for-profit, but we offer a wide range of employee benefits including: competitive pay, paid time off, retirement plan with company contributions, 40% off employee meals, free use of our gyms and pool, weekly access to a Nurse Practitioner free of charge, onsite parking, tuition reimbursement, scholarship program, and student loan repayment assistance, along with medical, dental, vision, life, FSAs, and voluntary short-term and long-term disability insurances for eligible employees.


Come check us out and learn why Oaknoll is right for you!



About Oaknoll


Oaknoll Retirement Residence is an independent, not-for-profit, continuing care retirement community in Iowa City, IA. We provide resident-centered service, driven by our values of caring, respect, enthusiasm, awareness, teamwork, and encouragement. We’re proud of our excellent reputation as a premier place to live and work. There’s a strong sense of family at Oaknoll, so coming to work is like coming home.


Oaknoll Retirement Residence is an Equal Opportunity Employer that welcomes and encourages all applicants to apply regardless of age, race, sex, religion, color, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or other reason prohibited by law.

Requirements:


Apply