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Prep Cook Jobs in Edison, NJ (NOW HIRING)

Prep Cook

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$15.50 - $19.75/hr

PREP COOK Reports to : Lead Prep Cook | Chef Summary of Position: Cook and prepare a variety of food products including meats, seafood, poultry, vegetables, sauces, stocks, breads, tortillas and ...

Position Overview The Prep Cook is responsible for preparing ingredients according to established recipes and quality standards to ensure the kitchen is ready for service. This role washes, cuts ...

Prep Cook

Edison, NJ · On-site

$15.92/hr

As a Prep Cook, you'll be responsible for preparing ingredients for signature dishes, following recipes with accuracy, and ensuring your station is fully stocked and organized. Your attention to ...

As a Prep Cook, you'll be responsible for preparing ingredients for signature dishes, following recipes with accuracy, and ensuring your station is fully stocked and organized. Your attention to ...

The Prep Cook is responsible for preparing ingredients according to established recipes and quality standards to ensure the kitchen is ready for service. This role washes, cuts, measures, and ...

Prep Cook

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$17.50 - $18/hr

Prep Cooks needed for Multiple Corporate Cafeterias in NYC. Immediate openings for Culinary Professionals - Corporate Dining. PREP Cooks: * Completing all tasks in order on the prep list from the ...

Prep Cook

Staten Island, NY · On-site

$15.25 - $19.50/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

Watchung, NJ · On-site

$17 - $23/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

Woodbridge, NJ · On-site

$17 - $23/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 ...

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 ...

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

Watchung, NJ · On-site

$17 - $23/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

Staten Island, NY · On-site

$15.25 - $19.50/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

Parsippany, NJ · On-site

$17 - $23/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

Staten Island, NY · On-site

$15.25 - $19.50/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

Watchung, NJ · On-site

$17 - $23/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

Parsippany, NJ · On-site

$17 - $23/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 ...

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

New York, NY · On-site

$24/hr

As a Prep Cook, you help set the kitchen up for success by preparing the ingredients that bring our dishes to life. In this role, you are responsible for receiving deliveries, checking ingredient ...

Prep Cook

New York, NY · On-site

$18/hr

Arlo Hotels, an independent lifestyle hotel is now actively seeking a dynamic Prep Cook. Are you someone who is passionate about people, driven by purpose, and clever in your approach? If so keep on ...

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Prep Cook information

See Edison, NJ salary details

$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 Edison, NJ is $16.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.18 and $17.93 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 popular job titles related to Prep Cook jobs in Edison, NJ? For Prep Cook jobs in Edison, NJ, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Edison, NJ are hiring for Prep Cook jobs? Cities near Edison, NJ with the most Prep Cook job openings:
Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Edison, NJ as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,779 per year, or $16.2 per hour.

Prep Cook

Anejo

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$15.50 - $19.75/hr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Salary:

Title: PREP COOK

Reports to: Lead Prep Cook | Chef


Summary of Position:

Cook and prepare a variety of food products including meats, seafood, poultry, vegetables, sauces, stocks, breads, tortillas and other food products using a variety of recipes, equipment and utensils according to the Daily Prep List.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Complete opening and closing checklists.
  • Check with lead prep cook for any additional duties that may be needed for the day due to BEOs or other special prep request
  • Confirm and taste all finished product confirming flavor, texture and results by also providing lead prep cook | chef with a sample.
  • Prepares a variety of meats, seafood, poultry, vegetables, and other food items for cooking in broilers, ovens, grills, fryers, and a variety of other kitchen equipment.
  • Understands and complies consistently with our standard portion sizes, cooking methods, quality standards and kitchen rules, policies, and procedures.
  • Portions food products prior to cooking according to standard portion sizes and recipe specifications.
  • Maintains a clean and sanitary work area including tables, shelves, walls grills, broilers, fryers, saut burners, convection oven, flat top range, and refrigeration equipment.
  • Attends all scheduled employee meetings and brings suggestions for improvement.
  • Promptly reports equipment and food quality problems to Chef.
  • Inform Chef immediately of product shortages.
  • Uses our Standard Recipe Card for preparing all products. Do not rely on the memory of yourself or other employees.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned by the lead prep cook/Chef.
  • Reports to work in proper uniform of Nonslip shoes, kitchen pants, provided white chef shirt and black bib apron

Qualifications:

  • A minimum of 6 months of experience in kitchen preparation and cooking.
  • At least 6 months experience in a similar capacity.
  • Must be able to communicate clearly with managers and kitchen personnel.
  • Be able to reach, bend, stoop and frequently lift up to 40 pounds.
  • Be able to work in a standing position for long periods of time.