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Prep Cook Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Prep Cook

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$16/hr

Prep Cook Pay: Hourly, starting at $16 and up (dependent on experience and location, will be discussed in the interview) Benefits: Flexible scheduling PTO Health Insurance 401K plus match We are ...

Prep-Cook

Arlington, TN · On-site

$15/hr

Paid time off We are looking for an experienced Prep Cook to join our team! You will be preparing and cooking a variety of dishes for restaurant guests to enjoy. You are passionate about creating ...

Prep-Cook

Memphis, TN · On-site

$18/hr

Vision insurance We are looking for an experienced Prep Cook to join our team! You will be preparing and cooking a variety of dishes for restaurant guests to enjoy. You are passionate about creating ...

Prep Cook

Clarksville, TN · On-site

$12/hr

An Eggs Up Grill prep cook isresponsible for preparing ingredients for cooking, such as washing, chopping, and portioning food items.They also ensure the kitchen is clean and organized, handling ...

Prep Cook

Murfreesboro, TN

$12.75 - $16.25/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 ...

Prep Cook

Chattanooga, TN

$12.25 - $15.50/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 ...

Prep Cook

Hixson, TN · On-site

$11.75 - $15/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 ...

Prep Cook

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$12.25 - $15.50/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 ...

Prep Cook

Murfreesboro, TN · On-site

$12.75 - $16.25/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 ...

Prep Cook

Murfreesboro, TN · On-site

$12.75 - $16.25/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 ...

Prep Cook

Hixson, TN · On-site

$11.75 - $15/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 ...

Prep Cook

Germantown, TN

$12.75 - $16.25/hr

Eggs Up Grill is hiring prep cooks for our brand-new location, in the Shops of Forest Hill, on Poplar Avenue, in Germantown. We are looking for hard-working team players to work as an integral part ...

Prep Cook

Chattanooga, TN

$12.25 - $15.50/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 ...

Prep Cook

Hixson, TN

$11.75 - $15/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 ...

Prep Cook

Murfreesboro, TN · On-site

$12.50 - $16/hr

As a Prep Cook your responsibilities would include: * Reading a prep sheet * Following Bubba's 33 legendary recipes * Keeping the walk-in refrigerator clean and organized * Maintaining and using ...

Prep Cook

Clarksville, TN · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

Sea Story Sushi , is looking for a dedicated Prep Cook to join our expanding team! Are you looking for a fun and dynamic work environment where your culinary skills can shine? Do you want a flexible ...

Prep Cook

Mount Juliet, TN · On-site

$13.50 - $17/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 ...

Prep Cook

Mount Juliet, TN · On-site

$13.50 - $17/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 ...

Prep Cook

Antioch, TN · On-site

$13.75 - $17.25/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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Showing results 1-20

Prep Cook information

See Tennessee salary details

$8

$14

$18

How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Tennessee is $14.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.45 and $15.72 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.

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 prep cooks?

Prep cooks are kitchen professionals responsible for preparing ingredients and basic components needed for recipes. Their duties typically include washing, chopping, and measuring ingredients, as well as organizing workstations and ensuring that the kitchen runs efficiently. Prep cooks support chefs and line cooks by making sure everything is ready for meal preparation and service. This role is essential in both restaurants and catering operations, as it helps maintain a smooth workflow and consistent food quality.

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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Prep Cook jobs in Tennessee? The most popular types of Prep Cook jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Prep Cook jobs in Tennessee? For Prep Cook jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prep Cook jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Prep Cook jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Prep Cook jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Prep Cook job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Prep Cook jobs in TN? For Prep Cook jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $29,614 per year, or $14.2 per hour.
Prep Cook

$16/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Ruth's Chris Steak House rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 38 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 87 rated restaurants


Job description

Description:
Prep Cook
Pay: Hourly, starting at $16 and up (dependent on experience and location, will be discussed in the interview)
Benefits:
Flexible scheduling
PTO
Health Insurance
401K plus match
We are looking for a hard-working prep cook to be responsible for setting up workstations in the kitchen and preparing ingredients for the cooking process. The prep cook is required to perform basic cooking duties, monitor stock levels, and take on culinary tasks as they arise.
To be a successful prep cook, you should understand and be willing to comply with food and sanitation guidelines and regulations, be quick and diligent, and be willing to improve on the job. A top-notch prep cook should be able to follow instructions and work in a fast-paced environment.
Prep Cook Responsibilities:
Setting up and sanitizing workstations.
Following prep lists created by chefs.
Measuring ingredients and seasonings, and preparing cooking ingredients such as soup stock to be used in the cooking process.
Preparing simple dishes, such as entrees or salads.
Ensuring all food items are properly stored and easily accessible.
Assisting chefs in preparing food and attending to any culinary tasks that arise.
Distributing plates to wait staff to be served, cleaning plates for dishwashing, and preparing takeaway packages for customers.
Supervising food and cooling room temperatures.
Accepting or rejecting ingredients from suppliers.
Maintaining a clean, orderly, and sanitized kitchen.
Requirements:
Must be able to work standing for a minimum of 4 hours at a time, lift up to 50 pounds occasionally
Additional Info:
We are an equal opportunity employer/ E-Verify employer
Background check required

What Ruth's Chris Steak House employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Ruth's Chris Steak House logo

About Ruth's Chris Steak House

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Our steaks are cooked using a patented broiling method developed by our founder. They’re seasoned to perfection, and then served sizzling on 500-degree plates. Our chefs, cooks, and kitchen staff are among the best in the world. They’re trained to deliver steaks exactly the way Ruth wanted. We’ve combined the finest spirits, service, and steaks with a relaxed, friendly environment to create the best bar experience.

Industry

Food services and drinking places and restaurants

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Winter Park, FL, US