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Prep Cook Jobs in California, MD (NOW HIRING)

Kitchen Team Member

Prince Frederick, MD · On-site

$16.50 - $18/hr

High School Diploma or GED (or the ability to complete our company-paid GED program) * 1 year offood service experience, line cook or prep cook experience preferred * Flexibility to work days, nights ...

Kitchen Team Member

Prince Frederick, MD · On-site

$16.50 - $18/hr

High School Diploma or GED (or the ability to complete our company-paid GED program) * 1 year of food service experience, line cook or prep cook experience preferred * Flexibility to work days ...

Kitchen Team Member

Prince Frederick, MD · On-site

$16.50 - $18/hr

High School Diploma or GED (or the ability to complete our company-paid GED program) * 1 year offood service experience, line cook or prep cook experience preferred * Flexibility to work days, nights ...

... sauces. • Cook food items by grilling, frying, sauteing, and other cooking methods to ... proper prep procedures, including always using approved, standardized recipes. • Follow ...

Cook food items by grilling, frying, sauteing, and other cooking methods to specificized recipes ... Follow proper prep procedures, including always using approved, standardized recipes. Follow ...

... Cook food items by grilling, frying, sauteing, and other cooking methods to specificized recipes ... prep procedures, including always using approved, standardized recipes. · Follow procedures for ...

... sauces. • Cook food items by grilling, frying, sauteing, and other cooking methods to ... proper prep procedures, including always using approved, standardized recipes. • Follow ...

... Cook food items by grilling, frying, sauteing, and other cooking methods to specificized recipes ... prep procedures, including always using approved, standardized recipes. · Follow procedures for ...

Cook food items by grilling, frying, sauteing, and other cooking methods to specificized recipes ... Follow proper prep procedures, including always using approved, standardized recipes. Follow ...

Crew Member

Lexington Park, MD · On-site

$11.75 - $15.25/hr

So, whether you have experience as a dishwasher, cashier, server, host, bartender, cook, prep cook or no experience at all, we're always looking for passionate and enthusiastic people to join our ...

Crew Member

Charlotte Hall, MD

$11.50 - $15/hr

... cook, prep cook or no experience at all, we're always looking for passionate and enthusiastic people to join our team. If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, we'd love to meet ...

Cook food items by grilling, frying, sauteing, and other cooking methods to specificized recipes ... Follow proper prep procedures, including always using approved, standardized recipes. * Follow ...

COOK III

Chesapeake Beach, MD · On-site

$16.25 - $20/hr

Cook food items by grilling, frying, sauteing, and other cooking methods to specificized recipes ... Follow proper prep procedures, including always using approved, standardized recipes. * Follow ...

Crew Member

Prince Frederick, MD

$12.50 - $16.50/hr

... cook, prep cook or no experience at all, we're always looking for passionate and enthusiastic people to join our team. If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, we'd love to meet ...

Crew Member

Prince Frederick, MD

$12.50 - $16.50/hr

... cook, prep cook or no experience at all, we're always looking for passionate and enthusiastic people to join our team. If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, we'd love to meet ...

Crew Member

California, MD

$11.50 - $15/hr

... cook, prep cook or no experience at all, we're always looking for passionate and enthusiastic people to join our team. If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, we'd love to meet ...

Showing results 21-40

Prep Cook information

See California, MD salary details

$8

$15

$19

How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in California, MD is $15.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.12 and $16.59 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 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.

Is a prep cook a hard job?

A prep cook role involves preparing ingredients and assisting with kitchen tasks, which can be physically demanding and require attention to detail. The job often involves standing for long periods, working quickly during busy hours, and following safety and hygiene standards. Experience with kitchen tools and time management skills can help manage the workload effectively.

What does a prep cook do?

A prep cook is responsible for preparing ingredients and basic dishes in a kitchen, such as chopping vegetables, measuring ingredients, and assembling components for chefs. They work in a fast-paced environment, often using knives, food processors, and other kitchen tools, and typically follow food safety and sanitation standards.

What job categories do people searching Prep Cook jobs in California, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Prep Cook jobs in California, MD are:

What cities near California, MD are hiring for Prep Cook jobs?

Cities near California, MD with the most Prep Cook job openings:

Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in California, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 49% Full Time, 48% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 74% Physical, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,267 per year, or $15 per hour.

Kitchen Team Member

Dash In

Prince Frederick, MD • On-site

$16.50 - $18/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Retirement

Re-posted 4 days ago


Dash In rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Role: Kitchen Team Member
Location: Dash In - Prince Frederick, MD
Status: Full-time or Part-time Hourly
Pay Rate:
$16.50 - $18.00 (+$1 for overnight)

Ready to Join Our Sizzling Kitchen Team at Dash In?
We're on the lookout for enthusiastic Team Members to become a part of our Dash In team where the adventure begins with a starting wage of $16.50 per hour. And that's not all - you can add another $1 per hour premium for overnight shifts to spice things up!
Guess what? Dash In, a proud member of the Wills Group family of brands, is firing up a new, chef-inspired food concept that's set to revolutionize the world of delicious eats in a 24/7 retail environment.
We're assembling an epic Back of House (BOH) team to whip up delectable dishes and deliver an extraordinary food service experience to our hungry guests.
Your Tasty Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It
As a Kitchen Associate, you're the culinary wizard behind the scenes, responsible for crafting mouthwatering meals and ensuring our guests leave with smiles as big as their appetites. Here's how you'll spice things up:
  • Foodie Extraordinaire:You'll follow the sacred codes of food safety, sanitation, and quality, conjuring up culinary delights that leave taste buds dancing.
  • Freshness Fanatic:We're all about that fresh flair! You'll keep an eagle eye on prep levels, making sure everything's in tip-top shape and ready to serve.
  • Organization Mastermind:Keeping your prep station shipshape is your thing. You'll restock, organize, and keep things tidy because a clean kitchen is a happy kitchen.
  • Delivery Dynamo:When the goods arrive, you'll be the one to put them in their proper place, ensuring everything's ready for the cooking extravaganza.
  • Kitchen Conductor:Our kitchen shines, and you'll keep it that way. You're on top of the cleanliness game, maintaining our kitchen's impeccable appearance.
  • Guest Experience Guru:While you're working your culinary magic, you'll also be connecting with our guests, delivering a personalized experience that leaves them coming back for seconds.
  • Equipment Maestro:From deep fryers to slicers and everything in between, you'll operate food service equipment like a seasoned pro.
  • Lifting Superstar:Sometimes, you'll need to flex those muscles and use proper lifting techniques to handle large containers like a boss. We're talking five-gallon soft drink containers, weighing in at 50 to 65 pounds.
What We're Looking For:
  • High School Diploma or GED (or the ability to complete our company-paid GED program)
  • 1 year offood service experience, line cook or prep cook experience preferred
  • Flexibility to work days, nights, overnights, and weekends
  • Authorized to work in the United States and 18 years of age or older
  • Successful completion of background check and drug screening
Ideal Candidates Will Also Have:
  • ActiveServSafecertification, or a similar qualification
  • Tech-savviness, including familiarity with POS software
  • Excellent multitasking and problem-solving skills
Why Dash In?
Join a company that's driving innovation, providing exceptional value, and fostering a great work environment. At Dash In, we believe in your growth and development.
Learn. Grow. Lead:We're all about your professional journey, offering flexible roles that empower you with the skills you need.
Employee Benefits and Perks:
  • Financial Well-being:401(k) with employer-matched contribution and financial planning assistance.
  • Career Growth:Opportunities to advance in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
  • Employee Discounts:Free coffee, fountain beverages, and discounts on fresh food and car washes.
  • $500LifeBalanceAccount:Dash In contributes annually for eligible healthcare expenses.
  • Education:GED completion program for team members and supervisors.
Ready to start your adventure with Dash In? We're excited to meet you and welcome you into our family! Apply now and let's create greatness together.

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