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Prep Cook Jobs in Canton, IL (NOW HIRING)

Panda Restaurant Group

Cook (P1-1385153-3)

Pekin, IL · On-site

$19 - $22/hr

Our Panda Cook associates are important leaders of our team and the heart of our kitchen. You are responsible for creating food with passion, service with heart and ambiance with pride. As a Cook for ...

Panda Restaurant Group

Cook (Indeed Event)

Pekin, IL · On-site

$15 - $21/hr

Gain hands on experience in cooking and preparing Panda favorites for our guests. * Gain a diverse range of skills to develop yourself and others. Shift Lead Qualifications Education and Experience:

Applebee's Grill & Bar

General Utility

Pekin, IL

$13.75 - $16.50/hr

Completes all assigned prep work (10%*). * Removes trash and garbage to dumpster area (10%*). * Washes work area tables, walls, refrigerator equipment, cooking equipment and floors (5%*). * Cleans ...

Guernsey Holdings LLC

Shift Manager

Pekin, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $17.50/hr

... prep, and drive-thru (if applicable)) as assigned to meet operational standards * Assist with new ... while cooking; frequent exposure to freezer when stocking food items; occasional exposure to ...

Sonic Drive-In

Shift Manager

Pekin, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $17.50/hr

... prep, and drive-thru (if applicable)) as assigned to meet operational standards * Assist with new ... while cooking; frequent exposure to freezer when stocking food items; occasional exposure to ...

Guernsey Holdings LLC

Shift Manager

Pekin, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $17.50/hr

... prep, and drive-thru (if applicable)) as assigned to meet operational standards * Assist with new ... while cooking; frequent exposure to freezer when stocking food items; occasional exposure to ...

Applebee's

General Utility

Pekin, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $16.50/hr

Completes all assigned prep work (10%*). * Removes trash and garbage to dumpster area (10%*). * Washes work area tables, walls, refrigerator equipment, cooking equipment and floors (5%*). * Cleans ...

Applebee's Grill & Bar

General Utility

Pekin, IL

$13.75 - $16.50/hr

Completes all assigned prep work (10%*). * Removes trash and garbage to dumpster area (10%*). * Washes work area tables, walls, refrigerator equipment, cooking equipment and floors (5%*). * Cleans ...

Guernsey Holdings LLC

Assistant Manager

Pekin, IL · On-site

... prep, and drive-thru (if applicable)) as necessary during shift to meet operational standards ... while cooking; frequent exposure to freezer when stocking food items; occasional exposure to ...

Sonic Drive-In

Assistant Manager

Pekin, IL · On-site

... prep, and drive-thru (if applicable)) as necessary during shift to meet operational standards ... while cooking; frequent exposure to freezer when stocking food items; occasional exposure to ...

Sonic

Assistant Manager

Pekin, IL · On-site

... prep, and drive-thru (if applicable)) as necessary during shift to meet operational standards ... while cooking; frequent exposure to freezer when stocking food items; occasional exposure to ...

Bannerhealth

Food Service Worker

Banner, IL · On-site

$14.50 - $17.50/hr

As a FSW, you will be responsible for learning all food service functions, such as cooking, prep work, stocking, cleaning dishes, and stocking. This position will work varied shifts as needed within ...

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Prep Cook information

See Canton, IL salary details

$8

$14

$19

How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Canton, IL is $14.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.08 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 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.
More about Prep Cook jobs

What job categories do people searching Prep Cook jobs in Canton, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Prep Cook jobs in Canton, IL are:

What cities near Canton, IL are hiring for Prep Cook jobs?

Cities near Canton, IL with the most Prep Cook job openings:

Prep Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Canton, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 45% Full Time, 54% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 66% Physical, and 34% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,117 per year, or $15 per hour.

Cook (P1-1385153-3)

Panda Restaurant Group

Pekin, IL • On-site

$19 - $22/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Panda Express rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 734 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 106 rated fast food restaurants

Job description

Our Panda Cook associates are important leaders of our team and the heart of our kitchen. You are responsible for creating food with passion, service with heart and ambiance with pride.
As a Cook for our team, you will have the opportunity to embrace a central role in a fast-paced and growth-oriented environment. Our restaurants are the heart and soul of our company, and we believe our people are the recipe for success. You will:
  • Support in creating a vibrant and welcoming environment for our guests.
  • Preparing all dishes to meet company recipes and standards
  • Guiding Kitchen Team and assisting with their training
  • Performing all Back of House responsibilities

Qualifications Education and Experience:
  • Some high school
  • Prefer some Operations experience Food Safety:
  • Local/municipal requirements, such as Food Handler certification, acquired at applicant's own expense

How we reward you:**
  • Flexible schedules
  • Great pay
  • Free meals while working at Panda
  • Medical, Vision, Dental, Voluntary Short-Term Disability, Cancer Income Protection insurance for full-time associates
  • Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending accounts
  • 401K with company match
  • Vacation, sick leave, bereavement/funeral leave and Leave Share Program for eligible associates
  • Associate discounts for many brands
  • Referral bonus for eligible associates
  • Opportunity to give back to your community
  • Hands-on paid training to prepare you for success
  • On-Going Career & Leadership Development
  • Opportunities for growth into management positions
  • Pre-Tax Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
  • Please refer to https://www.pandacareers.com/files/PRG_HR_Recruiting_Benefits.pdf for details.

**Candidates must meet, and continue to meet if employed, eligibility requirements for each benefit to qualify.
ADA Statement:
While performing duties, counter areas are often hot with steam from steam table and food vapors. Workspace is restricted and employees are generally expected to remain standing for long periods of time. Employees must prepare hot and cold foods, use Chinese cook knife and other kitchen equipment and work quickly without losing accuracy. Employees must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., stand up to four hours and reach across counter tops measured at 36 inches to serve customers. Kitchens are hot and noise levels are usually high; storage space is limited and shelving is high. Employees must be able to work in a fast-paced work environment, have effective verbal communication skills, ability to adapt to a dynamic environment with changing priorities, and the ability to manage conflicts/difficult situations.
Panda Strong since 1983:
Founded in Glendale, California, we are now the largest family-owned American Chinese Restaurant concept in America. With close to 2,800 locations globally, we continue our mission of delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives. Whether it's impacting our team or the communities we work in, we're proud to be an organization that embraces family values.
You're wanted here:
Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity, and does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law, including but not limited to sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related conditions), gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, and veteran status. Additionally, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. complies with all federal, state, and local laws regarding requests for workplace accommodation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability. Applicants are entitled to reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, to effectively participate in the application and hiring process, for example, sign language interpreters. If you believe you require an accommodation for the application or interview process or for the position for which you are applying, please reach out to TASupport@PandaRG.com .
Pay Range: $19 per hour - $22 per hour
*Within the range, individual pay is determined using various factors, including work location and experience.

What Panda Express employees say

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About Panda Express

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Panda Express is a leader in the quick-service restaurant industry, specializing in American Chinese cuisine. It was established in 1983 in Glendale, California by Andrew and Peggy Cherng and has grown to become the largest Asian segment restaurant chain in the United States, with in excess of 2,200 locations. Its headquarters are located in Rosemead, California. The eatery offers a variety of menu items, including their signature dish, Orange Chicken, along with other favorites like Kung Pao Chicken and Beef and Broccoli. Guided by their mission to "deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences," Panda Express is beloved by many for its convenience, consistently high quality, and innovative twists on traditional Chinese dishes.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Rosemead, CA, US

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