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Prep Cook Jobs in Appleton, WI (NOW HIRING)

Prep Cook

Green Bay, WI

$13.75 - $17.50/hr

As a prep cook, you must have a strong passion for delivering and flawlessly executing recipes to meet and exceed our guest expectations. In addition, as a prep cook, you must have a firm commitment ...

Prep Cook

Appleton, WI

$14 - $17.50/hr

As a prep cook, you must have a strong passion for delivering and flawlessly executing recipes to meet and exceed our guest expectations. In addition, as a prep cook, you must have a firm commitment ...

Prep Cook

Appleton, WI

$13.75 - $17.25/hr

As a prep cook, you must have a strong passion for delivering and flawlessly executing recipes to meet and exceed our guest expectations. In addition, as a prep cook, you must have a firm commitment ...

Talented Prep Cook at QDOBA Mexican Eats! Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where delicious food and great service come together? Are you excited about working with a motivated team that values ...

Prep Cook

Appleton, WI · On-site

$17/hr

Talented Prep Cook at QDOBA Mexican Eats! Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where delicious food and great service come together? Are you excited about working with a motivated team that values ...

Talented Prep Cook at QDOBA Mexican Eats! Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where delicious food and great service come together? Are you excited about working with a motivated team that values ...

Talented Prep Cook at QDOBA Mexican Eats! Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where delicious food and great service come together? Are you excited about working with a motivated team that values ...

Talented Prep Cook at QDOBA Mexican Eats! Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where delicious food and great service come together? Are you excited about working with a motivated team that values ...

Prep Cook

Appleton, WI · On-site

$17/hr

Talented Prep Cook at QDOBA Mexican Eats! Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where delicious food and great service come together? Are you excited about working with a motivated team that values ...

Talented Prep Cook at QDOBA Mexican Eats! Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where delicious food and great service come together? Are you excited about working with a motivated team that values ...

Talented Prep Cook at QDOBA Mexican Eats! Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where delicious food and great service come together? Are you excited about working with a motivated team that values ...

Talented Prep Cook at QDOBA Mexican Eats! Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where delicious food and great service come together? Are you excited about working with a motivated team that values ...

Talented Prep Cook at QDOBA Mexican Eats! Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where delicious food and great service come together? Are you excited about working with a motivated team that values ...

Talented Prep Cook at QDOBA Mexican Eats! Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where delicious food and great service come together? Are you excited about working with a motivated team that values ...

Talented Prep Cook at QDOBA Mexican Eats! Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where delicious food and great service come together? Are you excited about working with a motivated team that values ...

Prep Cook

New Holstein, WI · On-site

$14.50 - $18.50/hr

Prep Cook Join Healthcare Services Group (HCSG) as a Prep Cook, contributing to the kitchen team at a long-term care facility. At HCSG, we are passionate about positively impacting the communities we ...

Prep Cook

New Holstein, WI

$14.50 - $18.50/hr

Role: Prep Cook Join Healthcare Services Group (HCSG) as a Prep Cook, contributing to the kitchen team at a long-term care facility. At HCSG, we are passionate about positively impacting the ...

Completes all assigned prep work and sets up cook's station. Maintains product presentations, product quality, food safety, and cook time standards. Prepares all menu items according to Recipes ...

Prep Cook

New Holstein, WI · On-site

$14.50 - $18.50/hr

Prep Cook Join Healthcare Services Group (HCSG) as a Prep Cook, contributing to the kitchen team at a long-term care facility. At HCSG, we are passionate about positively impacting the communities we ...

Prep Cook

Appleton, WI · On-site

$14 - $17.50/hr

Competitive Wage Prep Cook Driftwood Hospitality Management's company culture empowers our associates to take initiative, be proactive, and contribute to the success of their property with well ...

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Prep Cook information

See Appleton, WI salary details

$8

$14

$19

How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Appleton, WI is $14.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.03 and $16.49 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 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 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 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.

Is prep cook entry level?

Prep cook positions are often entry-level roles that require basic cooking skills, such as knife handling and food preparation. Many employers provide on-the-job training, making it accessible for those with little or no prior experience in professional kitchens.

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 most commonly searched types of Prep Cook jobs in Appleton, WI? The most popular types of Prep Cook jobs in Appleton, WI are:
What are popular job titles related to Prep Cook jobs in Appleton, WI? For Prep Cook jobs in Appleton, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prep Cook jobs in Appleton, WI look for? The top searched job categories for Prep Cook jobs in Appleton, WI are:
What cities near Appleton, WI are hiring for Prep Cook jobs? Cities near Appleton, WI with the most Prep Cook job openings:
Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Appleton, WI as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, and 57% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $31,052 per year, or $14.9 per hour.
Prep Cook

$13.75 - $17.50/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 9 days ago


Olive Garden rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 998 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 85 rated restaurants


Job description

 For this position, pay will be variable by location - See additional job details and benefits below.


Our Winning Family Starts With You! Check out these great benefits!

  • Flexible schedules to help you balance other life commitments (school, childcare, family care, etc.)
  • Free Employee Meal! (limited menu)
  • Weekly pay
  • Anniversary pay
  • Paid Sick Leave (1 hour for every 30 hours worked, begin accruing upon hire)
  • Paid Family and Medical Leave (up to 2 weeks after 1 year of service)
  • Medical/dental insurance
  • Ongoing training to build critical skills for current and future roles
  • Discounts on cellphones, travel, electronics & much more!
  • 401(k) savings plan (Company match after 1 year of service)
  • Management career advancement opportunities (50%+ of our managers are promoted from hourly positions!)


And much more! Because at Olive Garden, We’re All Family Here!


One key to our success is the high standards we set for ourselves and each other. That includes placing the health and safety of our team members and guests as a top priority. We are committed to the highest safety and sanitation practices, including ensuring team member wellness and maintaining clean restaurants.


Soup, sauce, pasta, and lasagna are key to the genuine Italian dining experience. As a prep cook, you must have a strong passion for delivering and flawlessly executing recipes to meet and exceed our guest expectations. In addition, as a prep cook, you must have a firm commitment to the highest safety and sanitation standards.


We'd love to welcome you home as the newest member of the Family!


#MyOliveGardenFam


What Olive Garden employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Olive Garden logo

About Olive Garden

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Olive Garden, we know that life is better together and everyone is happiest when they’re with family. From never ending servings of our freshly baked breadsticks and iconic garden salad, to our homemade soups and sauces, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. At Olive Garden, we make everyone feel like family and the communities we serve are an extension of that family. That’s why we are committed to supporting these communities in the fight against hunger. Every one of our 900+ restaurants participates in our Harvest program, donating high-quality, wholesome food to local nonprofit partners. We’re also long-term partners with Feeding America®, and since 2017, the Darden Foundation, the charitable arm of our parent company, has donated more than $16.3 million on behalf of our family of restaurants to support Feeding America member food banks across all 50 states. As part of these ongoing efforts to fight hunger, Olive Garden has partnered with Feeding America® to enhance mobile food pantry programs in communities where food insecurity rates are disproportionately high. Through grants from the Darden Foundation and additional support from Darden’s partners, Penske Truck Leasing and Lineage Logistics, 35 Feeding America food banks in 35 different parts of the country received a 26-foot refrigerated box truck to help increase address transportation needs and give access to nutritious food for those who need it most.

Industry

Food and beverage stores and restaurants

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Orlando, FL, US