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Food Service Cook Jobs in Fort Jackson, SC (NOW HIRING)

Food Service Cook

West Columbia, SC · On-site

$13 - $17/hr

Job Summary The Food Service Cook is a fast paced, hands on position. They perform the general cooking duties needed for preparing food items throughout the hospital. Follows recipes to prepare all ...

Food Service Cook

West Columbia, SC · On-site

$13 - $17/hr

Job Summary The Food Service Cook is a fast paced, hands on position. They perform the general cooking duties needed for preparing food items throughout the hospital. Follows recipes to prepare all ...

Cook

Irmo, SC

$12.75 - $16.25/hr

Prepare food for service * Cook menu items in cooperation with the rest of the kitchen staff * Clean up station and kitchen * Stock inventory appropriately * Ensure that food comes out at high ...

Cook

Sumter, SC

$14 - $17.50/hr

Prepare food for service * Cook menu items in cooperation with the rest of the kitchen staff * Clean up station and kitchen * Stock inventory appropriately * Ensure that food comes out at high ...

Cook

Columbia, SC

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

Prepare food for service * Cook menu items in cooperation with the rest of the kitchen staff * Clean up station and kitchen * Stock inventory appropriately * Ensure that food comes out at high ...

Cook

Lexington, SC

$14 - $16/hr

Prepare food for service * Cook menu items in cooperation with the rest of the kitchen staff * Clean up station and kitchen * Stock inventory appropriately * Ensure that food comes out at high ...

Cook

Elgin, SC

$13.50 - $17/hr

Prepare food for service * Cook menu items in cooperation with the rest of the kitchen staff * Clean up station and kitchen * Stock inventory appropriately * Ensure that food comes out at high ...

Cook

Columbia, SC

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

Prepare food for service * Cook menu items in cooperation with the rest of the kitchen staff * Clean up station and kitchen * Stock inventory appropriately * Ensure that food comes out at high ...

Cook

Camden, SC

$13 - $16.25/hr

Prepare food for service * Cook menu items in cooperation with the rest of the kitchen staff * Clean up station and kitchen * Stock inventory appropriately * Ensure that food comes out at high ...

At Trinity Services Group, we have created something special, a better place to work and grow. Many ... Utilize kitchen utensils/equipment to cook, prepare and serve food according to recipes. Use proper ...

At Trinity Services Group, we have created something special, a better place to work and grow. Many ... Utilize kitchen utensils/equipment to cook, prepare and serve food according to recipes. Use proper ...

At Trinity Services Group, we have created something special, a better place to work and grow. Many ... Utilize kitchen utensils/equipment to cook, prepare and serve food according to recipes. Use proper ...

Showing results 21-40

Food Service Cook information

See Fort Jackson, SC salary details

$8

$14

$20

How much do food service cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for food service cook in Fort Jackson, SC is $14.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.55 and $16.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a food service cook do?

A Food Service Cook prepares and cooks meals in restaurants, cafeterias, schools, hospitals, and other food service establishments. Their responsibilities include following recipes, ensuring food safety and cleanliness, managing ingredients, and sometimes assisting with menu planning. They may also be responsible for plating food, maintaining kitchen equipment, and working with other kitchen staff to ensure timely meal preparation. Food Service Cooks play a crucial role in delivering quality meals to customers or clients.

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

To thrive as a Food Service Cook, you need solid culinary skills, knowledge of food safety, and often a high school diploma or culinary certification. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and compliance with ServSafe or similar food handling certifications is typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure consistent food quality, safety, and efficient kitchen operations in a fast-paced environment.

What are some common challenges food service cooks face during busy meal periods, and how can they be managed?

Food Service Cooks often encounter high-pressure situations during peak meal times, such as lunch or dinner rushes. Managing multiple orders simultaneously while maintaining food quality and safety can be challenging. Effective strategies include strong organizational skills, clear communication with kitchen staff, and prepping ingredients ahead of time to streamline workflow. Staying calm under pressure and being adaptable are essential for success in these fast-paced environments.

What is the difference between Food Service Cook vs Kitchen Helper?

AspectFood Service CookKitchen Helper
CredentialsFood safety certification, culinary training often preferredMinimal formal credentials required
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, cafeteriasSupport roles in same environments, assisting with prep and cleaning
Job ResponsibilitiesPreparing meals, cooking, following recipesAssisting cooks, cleaning, basic food prep

The main difference is that Food Service Cooks are responsible for preparing and cooking meals, often requiring culinary skills and certifications. Kitchen Helpers support cooks by performing basic tasks like cleaning and prep work. Both roles work in similar environments, but Cooks have more advanced responsibilities and skills.

What cities near Fort Jackson, SC are hiring for Food Service Cook jobs?

Cities near Fort Jackson, SC with the most Food Service Cook job openings:

Infographic showing various Food Service Cook job openings in Fort Jackson, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, and 43% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $30,360 per year, or $14.6 per hour.

$13 - $17/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 23 days ago


Lexington Medical Center rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 105 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

506th of 1,062 rated hospitals


Job description

Terrace Cafe  
Full Time
AM Shift 
6am-3pm

Lexington Health is a comprehensive network of care that includes six community medical and urgent care centers, nearly 80 physician practices, more than 9,000 health care professionals and Lexington Medical Center, a 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, South Carolina. It was selected by Modern Healthcare as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare and was first in the state to achieve Magnet with Distinction status for excellence in nursing care. Consistently ranked as best in the Columbia Metro area by U.S. News & World Report, Lexington Health delivers more than 4,000 babies each year, performs more than 34,000 surgeries annually and is the region's third largest employer.

Lexington Health also includes an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence, the state's first HeartCARE Center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, and an Alzheimer's care center. Its postgraduate medical education programs include family medicine and transitional year residencies, as well as an informatics fellowship.

Job Summary

The Food Service Cook is a fast paced, hands on position. They perform the general cooking duties needed for preparing food items throughout the hospital. Follows recipes to prepare all food items necessary for patients, cafeteria, retail operations, catered functions, or the Child Development Center in a timely fashion.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: None.
Minimum Years of Experience: 1 Years of experience in cooking
Substitutable Education & Experience (Optional): In lieu of 1 year of cooking experience, consideration will be given to internal candidates with 1 year of experience within LMC as a Nutrition Associate upon review of applicable skills/training
Required Certifications/Licensure: None.
Required Training: Demonstrate basic mathematical skills; Able to work in a fast paced environment with good time management skills; Ability to follow a recipe consistently as list and provided; Possess great customer service skills; Requires knowledge of basic kitchen equipment; Understanding of basic food service safety guidelines such as temperature danger zone, haccp, proper storage of product, sanitation, etc.

Essential Functions
  • Prepares food based upon specific direction which includes modified diet restrictions.
  • Follows recipes accurately to prepare foods in the correct quantity and quality (taste, temperature, etc.).
  • Plans and organizes work schedule to ensure that food is ready, garnished, and on the line as scheduled.
  • Cleans and sanitizes food service equipment according to schedule using proper cleaning agents.
  • Completes prep work for the following day.
Duties & Responsibilities
  • Maintains an optimistic and professional image and exhibits excellent customer relations to patients, visitors, physicians, and coworkers.
  • Shows courtesy, compassion and respect. Conforms to Service Excellence Policy and Service Expectations.
  • Demonstrates appropriate communication of information to all ages and responds to all customer/patient requests and needs, i.e., hard of hearing, etc.
  • Any and all other duties as assigned. May be asked to work interdepartmentally.
  • Must keep work area neat and clean at all times. Responsible for area during inspections.
  • Performs all other duties as assigned.

We are committed to offering quality, cost-effective benefits choices for our employees and their families:

  • Day ONE medical, dental and life insurance benefits 
  • Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
  • Employees are eligible for enrollment into the 403(b) match plan day one.  LHI matches dollar for dollar up to 6%.
  • Employer paid life insurance - equal to 1x salary
  • Employee may elect supplemental life insurance with low cost premiums up to 3x salary 
  • Adoption assistance
  • LHI provides its full-time employees employer paid short-term disability and long-term disability coverage after 90 days of eligible employment
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Student loan forgiveness

Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of Lexington Health to provide equal opportunity of employment for all individuals, and to remain compliant with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Lexington Health strives to provide a discrimination-free environment, and to recruit, select, on-board, and employ all employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including but not limited to, lactation. Lexington Health endeavors to upgrade and promote employees from within the hospital where possible and consistent with the employee's desires and abilities and the hospital's needs.


What Lexington Medical Center employees say

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