Prep Cook
$14.75 - $18.50/hr
Prep Cook duties and responsibilities Prep Cooks perform various food preparation, cooking and cleaning tasks to ensure the kitchen remains efficient in creating and delivering dishes for patrons.
Prep Cook
$14.75 - $18.50/hr
Prep Cook duties and responsibilities Prep Cooks perform various food preparation, cooking and cleaning tasks to ensure the kitchen remains efficient in creating and delivering dishes for patrons.
Prep Cook
Chicago, IL · On-site
$21 - $23/hr
Prep Cook duties and responsibilities Prep Cooks perform various food preparation, cooking and cleaning tasks to ensure the kitchen remains efficient in creating and delivering dishes for patrons.
Quick apply
Prep Cook
Chicago, IL · On-site
$21 - $23/hr
Prep Cook duties and responsibilities Prep Cooks perform various food preparation, cooking and cleaning tasks to ensure the kitchen remains efficient in creating and delivering dishes for patrons.
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Prep Cook
Bolingbrook, IL · On-site
$17 - $19/hr
Line Cook / Prep Cook Join our dynamic culinary team as a Prep Cook, where your skills and passion for food will contribute to creating exceptional dining experiences. We are seeking a motivated and ...
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Prep Cook
Bolingbrook, IL · On-site
$17 - $19/hr
Line Cook / Prep Cook Join our dynamic culinary team as a Prep Cook, where your skills and passion for food will contribute to creating exceptional dining experiences. We are seeking a motivated and ...
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 ...
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 ...
Prep Cook
Norridge, IL · On-site
$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 ...
Prep Cook
Norridge, IL · On-site
$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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Prep Cook information
See Chicago, IL salary details
$9.66 - $10.69
1% of jobs
$10.69 - $11.73
3% of jobs
$11.73 - $12.76
7% of jobs
$12.76 - $13.80
8% of jobs
$14.29 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$13.80 - $14.84
11% of jobs
$14.84 - $15.87
15% of jobs
The median wage is $16.16 / hr.
$15.87 - $16.91
17% of jobs
$17.88 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$16.91 - $17.94
14% of jobs
$17.94 - $18.98
13% of jobs
$18.98 - $20.01
7% of jobs
$20.01 - $21.05
4% of jobs
$9
$16
$21
How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?
As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Chicago, IL is $16.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.13 and $17.84 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?
| Aspect | Prep Cook | Line Cook |
|---|---|---|
| Responsibilities | Prepares ingredients, washes, chops, and organizes supplies | cooks dishes during service, manages specific station |
| Skills & Certifications | Basic cooking skills, food safety, knife skills | Advanced cooking skills, station-specific knowledge |
| Work Environment | Kitchen prep area, early shifts | Hot line during service, fast-paced environment |
| Typical Employer | Restaurants, catering services | Restaurants, 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.
More about Prep Cook jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Prep Cook jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Prep Cook jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Prep Cook jobs in Chicago, IL? For Prep Cook jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prep Cook jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Prep Cook jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Prep Cook jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Prep Cook job openings:
$14.75 - $18.50/hr
Full-time
Posted 7 days ago
Job description
Prep Cook Job Description
duties and responsibilities
Prep Cooks perform various food preparation, cooking and cleaning tasks to ensure the kitchen remains efficient in creating and delivering dishes for patrons. Their duties and responsibilities include:
- Completing all tasks, in order, on the prep list from the Head Chef or other kitchen manager
- Labeling and stocking all ingredients on easily accessible shelves
- Washing, chopping and sorting ingredients like fruits, vegetables and meats
- Measuring quantities of seasonings and other cooking ingredients
- Parboiling food, reducing sauces and starting first steps in various dishes
- Cleaning dishes, washing cooking utensils and cookware, taking out the trash and sanitizing kitchen
- Adhering to all relevant nutrition and sanitary regulations and standards
- Keeping track of ingredient inventory and collaborating with other kitchen and management staff to order resupply