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Prep Cook Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Lazy Dog Restaurants LLC

Prep Cook

Vernon Hills, IL · On-site

$19/hr

Prep Cook: At this location prep cooks e arn $19 / hour. If you thrive on flawless food handling, prepare from scratch at the highest level, and prepare food per the exact recipe specifications in a ...

Miller's Ale House

Prep Cook

Aurora, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $17.25/hr

POSITION SUMMARY The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and supporting the kitchen team with various cooking tasks. This role requires ...

Miller's Ale House

Prep Cook

Norridge, IL

$14 - $17.75/hr

Work and Perks POSITION SUMMARY The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and supporting the kitchen team with various cooking tasks. This ...

Miller's Ale House

Prep Cook

Lombard, IL

$14 - $17.50/hr

Work and Perks POSITION SUMMARY The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and supporting the kitchen team with various cooking tasks. This ...

Miller's Ale House

Prep Cook

Orland Park, IL · On-site

$14.25 - $17.75/hr

Work and Perks POSITION SUMMARY The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and supporting the kitchen team with various cooking tasks. This ...

Miller's Ale House

Prep Cook

Schaumburg, IL

$14 - $17.75/hr

Work and Perks POSITION SUMMARY The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and supporting the kitchen team with various cooking tasks. This ...

Miller's Ale House

Prep Cook

Aurora, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $17.25/hr

Work and Perks POSITION SUMMARY The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and supporting the kitchen team with various cooking tasks. This ...

Miller's Ale House

Prep Cook

Lombard, IL

$14 - $17.50/hr

POSITION SUMMARY The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and supporting the kitchen team with various cooking tasks. This role requires ...

Miller's Ale House

Prep Cook

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$14 - $17.75/hr

Work and Perks POSITION SUMMARY The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and supporting the kitchen team with various cooking tasks. This ...

Miller's Ale House

Prep Cook

Schaumburg, IL

$14 - $17.75/hr

POSITION SUMMARY The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and supporting the kitchen team with various cooking tasks. This role requires ...

Miller's Ale House

Prep Cook

Orland Park, IL · On-site

$14.25 - $17.75/hr

Work and Perks POSITION SUMMARY The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and supporting the kitchen team with various cooking tasks. This ...

Miller's Ale House

Prep Cook

Lombard, IL · On-site

$14 - $17.50/hr

Work and Perks POSITION SUMMARY The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and supporting the kitchen team with various cooking tasks. This ...

Miller's Ale House

Prep Cook

Orland Park, IL · On-site

$14.25 - $17.75/hr

POSITION SUMMARY The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and supporting the kitchen team with various cooking tasks. This role requires ...

Lazy Dog Restaurants LLC

Prep Cook

Northbrook, IL · On-site

$17.50/hr

Prep Cook: At this location prep cooks e arn $17.50 / hour. Monday-Friday: 11am-Midnight Saturday/Sunday: 10am-Midnight If you thrive on flawless food handling, prepare from scratch at the highest ...

Miller's Ale House

Prep Cook

Norridge, IL

$14 - $17.75/hr

POSITION SUMMARY The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and supporting the kitchen team with various cooking tasks. This role requires ...

Miller's Ale House

Prep Cook

Norridge, IL · On-site

$14 - $17.75/hr

Work and Perks POSITION SUMMARY The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and supporting the kitchen team with various cooking tasks. This ...

Troon

Prep Cook

Chicago, IL

$22/hr

Marovitz Golf Club is excited to announce the career opportunity for a Prep Cook. Qualified candidates will thrive in a hospitality environment and be highly focused on providing superior service.

Texas Roadhouse

Prep Cook

Bloomingdale, IL · On-site

$15 - $21/hr

As a Prep Cook your responsibilities would include: * Reading a prep sheet * Following Texas Roadhouse legendary recipes * Keeping the walk-in refrigerator clean and organized * Maintaining and using ...

Texas Roadhouse

Prep Cook

Naperville, IL · On-site

$15 - $21/hr

As a Prep Cook your responsibilities would include: * Reading a prep sheet * Following Texas Roadhouse legendary recipes * Keeping the walk-in refrigerator clean and organized * Maintaining and using ...

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All JobsPrep Cook JobsPrep Cook Jobs in Illinois

Prep Cook information

See Illinois salary details

$9

$15

$19

How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Illinois is $15.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.27 and $16.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a prep cook?

A prep cook works in a restaurant or private kitchen, preparing ingredients for other chefs to cook. As a prep cook, your responsibilities center on simplifying the cooking process for everyone in the kitchen. Your duties include cleaning, peeling, chopping, cutting, slicing, and dicing vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, and other food. You are also responsible for maintaining health and safety standards in the kitchen, which is a responsibility of everyone on the staff. You need excellent knife skills to safely and quickly prepare food, and you need communication skills to follow instructions and collaborate with your coworkers. Experience working in a kitchen is helpful when you look for jobs as a prep cook, but a prep cook can sometimes be considered to be an entry-level position.

What are some common challenges faced by prep cooks, and how can they be managed effectively?

Prep cooks often encounter challenges such as working in fast-paced environments, managing multiple tasks simultaneously, and maintaining consistency in food preparation. To manage these effectively, it’s important to develop strong time-management skills, stay organized, and communicate clearly with other kitchen staff. Building stamina and adaptability will also help handle peak hours, and being attentive to detail ensures quality and food safety standards are consistently met.

How to get a job as a prep cook?

To get a job as a prep cook, you should gain basic cooking skills, knowledge of food safety and sanitation, and experience in a kitchen environment. Many employers look for previous kitchen work, a high school diploma or equivalent, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced setting. Applying to entry-level restaurant or catering positions and demonstrating reliability can improve your chances of securing a prep cook role.

What is the difference between Prep Cook vs Line Cook?

AspectPrep CookLine Cook
ResponsibilitiesPrepares ingredients, washes, chops, and organizes supplies cooks dishes during service, manages specific station
Skills & CertificationsBasic cooking skills, food safety, knife skillsAdvanced cooking skills, station-specific knowledge
Work EnvironmentKitchen prep area, early shiftsHot line during service, fast-paced environment
Typical EmployerRestaurants, catering servicesRestaurants, hotels, catering

Prep cooks focus on preparing ingredients and organizing supplies, while line cooks handle cooking dishes during service. Both roles require food safety knowledge, but line cooks often need more advanced skills and work in a faster, high-pressure environment. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right culinary role.

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

To thrive as a Prep Cook, you need basic culinary skills, knowledge of food safety and sanitation, and experience with kitchen equipment, usually gained through on-the-job training or a culinary certificate. Familiarity with commercial kitchen tools such as slicers, mixers, and standardized recipes is common in this role. Strong attention to detail, time management, and teamwork are essential soft skills for handling multiple tasks efficiently. These abilities ensure high-quality food preparation, kitchen safety, and smooth operation during busy service periods.
More about Prep Cook jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Prep Cook jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Prep Cook jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Prep Cook jobs in Illinois? For Prep Cook jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prep Cook jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Prep Cook jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Prep Cook jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Prep Cook job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Prep Cook jobs in IL? For Prep Cook jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Prep Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $31,618 per year, or $15.2 per hour.

Prep Cook

Lazy Dog Restaurants LLC

Vernon Hills, IL • On-site

$19/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 12 days ago

Lazy Dog Restaurants rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Certified Great Place to Work 8 Years in a row!
Prep Cook: At this location prep cooks earn $19 / hour.
If you thrive on flawless food handling, prepare from scratch at the highest level, and prepare food per the exact recipe specifications in a high-energy environment, then this is the job for you.
What we offer:
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Teammate discount
  • Supplemental medical, dental, vision, 401k
  • Discounted supplemental benefits
  • Eligibility for an Emergency Financial plan
  • Discounts to theme parks, pet insurance, Legal and Identity Theft Insurance
  • A family that supports YOUR personal and professional growth

We are looking for experienced Full-Service Prep Cooks:
  • 2 to 5 years' experience on a fast-paced line.
  • Follow food safety procedures, daily prep list, prepare specific recipes for service; clean, sanitize and maintain equipment, utensils, and tools throughout kitchen.
  • Ensure only "fresh" high quality ingredients are used when preparing all recipes.
  • Ensure the proper recipe is displayed on the monitor during the preparation and cooking process.
  • Ensure proper recipe adherence is followed whenever producing items.
  • You are safe and maintain a safe work environment by ensuring floor surfaces are clean, dry and free from debris.
  • Ensure proper use of PPE when applicable and ensuring a safe work environment by following all safety guidelines.
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of cooking equipment in assigned cooking station to include startup, shut down, shift maintenance and cleaning as needed
  • Keep a clean and organized workstation.
  • Guest focused and like to multi-task.
  • Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
  • Demonstrates basic English/Spanish communication skills.
  • Trusting, passionate, humble and gracious team player.
  • Build lasting relationships with trust and respect.
  • Create fun.

Education
  • High School (preferred)

Licenses & Certifications
  • Food Handlers Card (California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Texas, Virginia)

Join Lazy Dog and be part of a culture of caring, great benefits, and continuous growth.

What Lazy Dog Restaurants employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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