1

Food Prep Associate Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Store Hospitality Associate Trainee

Rochester, NY ยท On-site

$18.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... food prep and storage areas, processing customer purchases, cleaning the store facilities, and following proper cash handling procedures. Store Hospitality Associates understand the importance of ...

Store Hospitality Associate Trainee

Rochester, NY ยท On-site

$18.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... food prep and storage areas, processing customer purchases, cleaning the store facilities, and following proper cash handling procedures. Store Hospitality Associates understand the importance of ...

Store Hospitality Associate Trainee

Rochester, NY ยท On-site

$18.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... food prep and storage areas, processing customer purchases, cleaning the store facilities, and following proper cash handling procedures. Store Hospitality Associates understand the importance of ...

Store Hospitality Associate Trainee

NY ยท On-site

$18.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... food prep and storage areas, processing customer purchases, cleaning the store facilities, and following proper cash handling procedures. Store Hospitality Associates understand the importance of ...

Store Hospitality Associate Trainee

NY ยท On-site

$18.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... food prep and storage areas, processing customer purchases, cleaning the store facilities, and following proper cash handling procedures. Store Hospitality Associates understand the importance of ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Food Prep Associate information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$9

$15

$20

How much do food prep associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for food prep associate in Rochester, NY is $15.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.27 and $17.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food prep associate?

Food Prep Associates are workers responsible for preparing ingredients and assisting with basic cooking tasks in restaurants, cafeterias, or other food service establishments. Their duties often include washing, chopping, and measuring ingredients, maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen, and following food safety procedures. They support chefs and cooks to ensure efficient meal preparation and service. This role is essential for keeping kitchen operations running smoothly and safely.

What are some common challenges food prep associates face during busy meal times?

Food Prep Associates often experience high-pressure situations during peak meal times, such as lunch and dinner rushes. Managing time efficiently, keeping workstations organized, and maintaining food safety standards can be challenging when orders are coming in quickly. Effective communication with kitchen staff and front-of-house teams is crucial to ensure orders are accurate and timely. Adapting to changing priorities and staying calm under pressure are essential skills for success in this fast-paced environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food prep associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Prep Associate, you need basic culinary skills, knowledge of food safety, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food handling certifications (like ServSafe), and inventory systems is often required. Attention to detail, time management, teamwork, and a positive attitude are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure efficient, safe, and high-quality food preparation in a fast-paced environment, directly impacting customer satisfaction and operational success.

What is the difference between Food Prep Associate vs Kitchen Helper?

AspectFood Prep AssociateKitchen Helper
ResponsibilitiesPreparing ingredients, assembling dishes, following recipesAssisting with basic kitchen tasks, cleaning, and supporting cooks
CredentialsHigh school diploma often preferred; food safety certificationsMinimal formal credentials; on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, catering servicesSimilar settings, often in fast-paced kitchens
Industry UsageCommonly used in restaurants and food serviceOften used interchangeably with Food Prep Associate in entry-level roles

While both roles support kitchen operations, Food Prep Associates focus more on preparing ingredients and assembling dishes, whereas Kitchen Helpers assist with basic tasks and cleaning. The roles often overlap, but Food Prep Associates typically require some food safety knowledge and specific prep skills, making them slightly more specialized.

How to become a food prep associate?

To become a food prep associate, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and some experience in food handling or kitchen work. Basic skills include knowledge of food safety practices, ability to follow instructions, and familiarity with kitchen tools and equipment. Some employers may require food safety certifications such as ServSafe.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Prep jobs in Rochester, NY?

The most popular types of Food Prep jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What job categories do people searching Food Prep Associate jobs in Rochester, NY look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Prep Associate jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Food Prep Associate jobs?

Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Food Prep Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Food Prep Associate job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,370 per year, or $15.6 per hour.

Seasonal Food Service Associate

Genesee Country Museum

Mumford, NY โ€ข On-site

$16 - $16.50/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

Position Title: Seasonal Food Service Associate
Reports to: Director of Food and Beverage
Direct reports: N/A
Position Type: Part time, Seasonal, 10-25 hours per week. Weekends are regularly required. Evenings Occasionally required for special events.
WHO WE ARE:
Genesee Country Village amp; Museum, located in Mumford, NY 25 miles outside of Rochester, is the largest living history museum in New York State. Our 68-building Historic Village, John L. Wehle Gallery, and Genesee Country Nature Center host nearly 100,000 guests each year on site, off site around the community, and online across the world. Learn more on our website www.gcv.org.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Food Service Associate supports the food service department in a variety of areas including cashier, bussing, food prep and kitchen support. Support may be in our two seasonal lunch restaurants, ice cream pavilion, pop-up locations for special events, and/or catered events for private functions at The Museum. This great opportunity offers employees a flexible schedule in a unique atmosphere.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to):
  • Daily kitchen/restaurant set-up and prep work for the dayโ€™s food service.
  • Running a cash register which includes the responsibility of handling cash and credit card transactions.
  • Daily cleaning of dining room and workspaces.
  • Restocking merchandise in restaurants
  • Assisting in daily food preparation.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Willingness to be trained in various kitchen and food service tasks and procedures and be motivated to learn.
  • Must be 16+ for customer service roles, 18+ for food prep/cook, and 21+ for bartending roles.
  • Ability to provide excellent customer service in a polite and professional manner.
Working Conditions:
  • Ability to lift 25-50lbs on your own
  • Ability to stand for long periods of time without sitting
  • Ability to work indoors and outdoors and walk short distances on uneven terrain.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary: $16-$16.50/hr.
Benefits: We are proud to support the health and wellbeing of the people we employ. We offer NYS Paid Sick leave time that accrues at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, employee assistance program and an annual family membership for all employees.
How to Apply: Interested applicants should visit www.gcv.org/employment/ to apply.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Genesee Country Village amp; Museum is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to all employees, applicants, and interns for employment. We recruit, hire, train, and promote without discrimination due to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, citizenship, national origin, military or veteran status, marital status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Diversity Statement: Genesee Country Village amp; Museum is actively committed to broadening our understanding of DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion), and making it part of everything that we do. Guided by our mission, values, and inclusive culture of curiosity, we celebrate the stories of our shared past; connect the rich diversity of the 19th century to the present; and collaborate with the communities we serve to create welcoming spaces for learning, work, exploration, and play.