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
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
$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
$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
$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
$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
$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
$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
$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
$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
$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
$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
$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
$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
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
New York, NY · On-site
$24/hr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
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
$24/hr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
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
$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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
Manhattan, 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 ...
Prep Cook
Manhattan, 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 ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Quick apply
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
Manhattan, NY · On-site
$24/hr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
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
Manhattan, NY · On-site
$24/hr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
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
Newark, NJ · On-site
$22.55/hr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
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 ...
New
Prep Cook
Newark, NJ · On-site
$22.55/hr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
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 ...
New
Prep Cook
Brooklyn, NY · On-site
$20/hr
Prep Cook - Brooklyn Winery Brooklyn Winery is a people-first organization. We are a boutique urban winery that prides ourselves in providing high touch hospitality experiences both for our ...
Prep Cook
Brooklyn, NY · On-site
$20/hr
Prep Cook - Brooklyn Winery Brooklyn Winery is a people-first organization. We are a boutique urban winery that prides ourselves in providing high touch hospitality experiences both for our ...
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Quick apply
Prep Cook
$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 ...
Prep Cook
Newark, NJ · On-site
$22.55/hr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
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 ...
Prep Cook
Newark, NJ · On-site
$22.55/hr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
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 ...
Prep Cook
$15.92 - $19/hr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Retirement
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 ...
Prep Cook
$15.92 - $19/hr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Retirement
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 ...
Prep Cook
$18 - $20/hr
Prep Cook 2 (Fried Rice, Lo Mein and Vegetable Prep) is the engine of our wok station. You prep and cook fried rice, lo mein, and vegetables to spec, at volume, without dropping quality. What you'll ...
Quick apply
Prep Cook
$18 - $20/hr
Prep Cook 2 (Fried Rice, Lo Mein and Vegetable Prep) is the engine of our wok station. You prep and cook fried rice, lo mein, and vegetables to spec, at volume, without dropping quality. What you'll ...
Prep Cook
Newark, NJ · On-site
$22.55/hr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
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 ...
Prep Cook
Newark, NJ · On-site
$22.55/hr
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life
Retirement
PTO
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 ...
Prep Cook information
See Elizabeth, NJ salary details
$9.44 - $10.45
1% of jobs
$10.45 - $11.46
3% of jobs
$11.46 - $12.47
7% of jobs
$12.47 - $13.48
8% of jobs
$13.96 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$13.48 - $14.49
11% of jobs
$14.49 - $15.51
15% of jobs
The median wage is $15.79 / hr.
$15.51 - $16.52
17% of jobs
$17.47 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$16.52 - $17.53
14% of jobs
$17.53 - $18.54
13% of jobs
$18.54 - $19.55
7% of jobs
$19.55 - $20.56
4% of jobs
$9
$15
$20
How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?
As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Elizabeth, NJ is $15.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.80 and $17.40 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?
| 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.
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 are the most commonly searched types of Prep Cook jobs in Elizabeth, NJ?
The most popular types of Prep Cook jobs in Elizabeth, NJ are:
What are popular job titles related to Prep Cook jobs in Elizabeth, NJ?
For Prep Cook jobs in Elizabeth, NJ, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Elizabeth, NJ are hiring for Prep Cook jobs?
Cities near Elizabeth, NJ with the most Prep Cook job openings:
Miller's Ale House rating
5.4
Based on 88 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
67th of 88 rated restaurants
Job description
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 role requires attention to detail, time management, and a solid understanding of food safety practices. The Prep Cook also represents Miller's Ale House by providing service that reflects professionalism, attention to detail, and a positive, collaborative environment.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Requirements and Qualifications
Required Skills & Education
The wage range for this position is $17.00-$23.00.
Physical Demands
Prep Cooks are expected to be able to perform the job functions with reasonable accommodation. Physical demands include:
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 attention to detail, time management, and a solid understanding of food safety practices. The Prep Cook also represents Miller's Ale House by providing service that reflects professionalism, attention to detail, and a positive, collaborative environment.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Arrive on time, in full uniform, ready to work.
- Collaborate with both BOH and FOH team members to ensure guest needs are met promptly.
- Adhere to proper food handling procedures and maintain sanitation standards across work areas.
- Prepare food items according to recipe specifications and production guidelines.
- Communicate effectively with team members and management to stay informed.
- Maintain a neat, organized work environment, including sweeping and mopping when necessary.
- Ensure all kitchen tools and equipment are in working order and promptly report any issues to a supervisor.
- Complete end-of-shift duties, including ensuring workstations are stocked and ready for the next Prep Cook.
- Follow all health and safety standards, including the proper use of personal protective equipment.
- Notify management immediately of any issues or potential concerns.
Requirements and Qualifications
Required Skills & Education
- A commitment to providing exceptional service throughout the shift.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Basic reading skills and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to perform well under high-stress situations.
- Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
The wage range for this position is $17.00-$23.00.
Physical Demands
Prep Cooks are expected to be able to perform the job functions with reasonable accommodation. Physical demands include:
- Remain standing for extended periods of time in work areas that has an elevated air temperature
- Reaching, bending, squatting, pushing, pulling and lifting, up to 50 lbs., for short distances
- Frequent communication with Managers and Team Members. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
What Miller's Ale House employees say
Pay
Benefits
Hours and flexibility
Workplace
Get the full story on Breakroom
About Miller’s Ale House
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Food and beverage stores
Company size
5,001 - 10,000 Employees
Headquarters location
Orlando, FL, US
Year founded
1988