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Prep Cook Jobs in Edison, NJ (NOW HIRING)

Arlo NoMad

Prep Cook

New York, NY

$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 ...

Din Tai Fung North America

Prep Cook

Manhattan, 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 ...

SSP America

Prep Cook

Newark, NJ · On-site

$22.55/hr

Join our team as a Prep Cook in a dynamic airport restaurant environment! At SSP America, our cooks have the important role of properly setting up the kitchen so every team member has the product and ...

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Buba Bureka

Prep Cook

New York, NY

$17.50 - $20.50/hr

The Prep Cook position is an essential part of our team, and involves handling all preliminary food prep duties, ensuring ingredients are ready for cooking and baking, and maintaining kitchen ...

SSP Group

Prep Cook

Newark, NJ · On-site

$22.55/hr

Join our team as a Prep Cook in a dynamic airport restaurant environment! At SSP America, our cooks have the important role of properly setting up the kitchen so every team member has the product and ...

Carrabba's Italian Grill

Prep Cook

Green Brook, NJ

$15.92 - $19/hr

As a Prep Cook, you will be committed to safe food handling, cleanliness, and sanitation standards while preparing food with proper safety equipment, tools, and recipe specifications. Prep Cook ...

SSP Group

Prep Cook

Newark, NJ · On-site

$22.55/hr

Join our team as a Prep Cook in a dynamic airport restaurant environment! At SSP America, our cooks have the important role of properly setting up the kitchen so every team member has the product and ...

Carrabba's Italian Grill

Prep Cook

Green Brook, NJ · On-site

$15.92 - $19/hr

As a Prep Cook, you will be committed to safe food handling, cleanliness, and sanitation standards while preparing food with proper safety equipment, tools, and recipe specifications. Prep Cook ...

Momofuku

Prep Cook

Manhattan, NY

$20 - $23/hr

The Momofuku Prep Cook is an individual who assists the BOH staff in preparing food, maintains a safe and clean food environment and takes on other culinary tasks as delegated. The ideal Momofuku ...

Mercado Montclair

PREP COOK

Montclair, NJ · On-site

$17 - $22/hr

DESCRIPTION PREP COOK Mercado is seeking a dedicated, reliable, and experienced Prep Cook to join our fast-paced, dynamic kitchen team. PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must have prior prep cook experience to ...

Jose Andres Group

Prep Cook

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$18 - $24/hr

Prep Cook Reports To: Sous Chef Department: Back of House - Culinary Employment Type: Hourly, Non-Exempt Pay Rate: $18.00 - $24.00 per hour, based on experience About José Andrés Group José ...

José Andrés Group

Prep Cook

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$18 - $24/hr

Prep Cook Reports To: Sous Chef Department: Back of House - Culinary Employment Type: Hourly, Non-Exempt Pay Rate: $18.00 - $24.00 per hour, based on experience About José Andrés Group José ...

Momofuku

Prep Cook

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

The Momofuku Prep Cook is an individual who assists the BOH staff in preparing food, maintains a safe and clean food environment and takes on other culinary tasks as delegated. The ideal Momofuku ...

Del Frisco's Grille

Prep Cook

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$18 - $21/hr

Prep Cook This isn't just your next job - it's your opportunity to be part of an amazing team that delivers on our promise to meet and exceed our guest's experience the moment they walk through our ...

Mercado Montclair

PREP COOK

Montclair, NJ

$17 - $22/hr

PREP COOK Mercado is seeking a dedicated, reliable, and experienced Prep Cook to join our fast-paced, dynamic kitchen team. PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must have prior prep cook experience to be ...

Del Frisco's Grille

Prep Cook

New York, NY · On-site

$18 - $21/hr

Prep Cook This isn't just your next job - it's your opportunity to be part of an amazing team that delivers on our promise to meet and exceed our guest's experience the moment they walk through our ...

Bubba Gump

Prep Cook

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Prep Cook This isn't just your next job - it's your opportunity to be part of an amazing team that delivers on our promise to meet and exceed our guest's experience the moment they walk through our ...

Bubba Gump

Prep Cook

New York, NY · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Prep Cook This isn't just your next job - it's your opportunity to be part of an amazing team that delivers on our promise to meet and exceed our guest's experience the moment they walk through our ...

Del Frisco's Grille

Prep Cook

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$19 - $22/hr

Prep Cook This isn't just your next job - it's your opportunity to be part of an amazing team that delivers on our promise to meet and exceed our guest's experience the moment they walk through our ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsPrep Cook JobsPrep Cook Jobs in Edison, NJ

Prep Cook information

See Edison, NJ salary details

$9

$16

$21

How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 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 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.
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Prep Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Edison, NJ as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 46% Full Time, 50% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 67% Physical, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,779 per year, or $16.2 per hour.

Prep Cook

Arlo NoMad

New York, NY

$18/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

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 reading!! Here atArlo,we strive to create a sense of awe that leaves those we touch wanting more”….. 

The main business of any restaurant is providing the highest quality of food possible to keep the customers satisfied. This effort is completely dependent on the kitchen staff and how proficient they are in making the dishes that the restaurant offers. Key members of that staff include the food preparer's known as prep cooks, who "set the table" for the chefs and line cooks. 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITIES: 

  • Always treat guests with courtesy and respect in a variety of situations 

  • Honesty & Integrity 

  • Delivers outstanding service and creates memorable experiences. 

  • Coordinates and multi-tasks job duties in an active environment 

SPECIFIC DUTIES 

  • Prepare the ingredients for daily menu offerings.  

  • Preparing vegetables by washing, chopping, grating and slicing them for inclusion inside dishes, salads, soups, and appetizers as specified on daily prep lists. 

  • Responsible for fully completing the daily prep list and properly storing.  

  • Must have Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef taste and sign off on every item that is prepped.  

  • Prepare meat for cooking, which may involve cutting or slicing it into appropriate portions. 

  • Prepare any ingredient or specific recipe as directed by Sous Chef. 

  • Reading and following recipes correctly in an exact and precise manner. 

  • Must understand and practice proper food cooling and storing techniques.  

  • Keep work area clean, sanitized and organized.  This includes but is not limited to prep table, sinks, walk-in, low boys, floor, dry storage. 

  • Understand how to use a variety of food service equipment, including knives, pots and pans, ovens and grills, food processors and slicers in a safe environment. 

  • Responsible for using sharp cutlery at all times. 

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Must have 2 years + prep or line cook experience in NYC at a comparable restaurant or hotel. 

  • Must be able to lift 50 lbs 

  • Must be able to stay on your feet for 8 hours plus 

Knowledge: 

  • Must have good knife skills 

  • Must have basic knowledge of kitchen equipment such as vita prep, robo coup, ovens and burners  

Hourly Rate:

  • $18.00 per hour