ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Prep Cook Jobs in Helena, MT (NOW HIRING)

Rise N Shine Cafe

Prep Cook

Helena, MT · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Prep cooks will clean during and at the end of their shift. * This can be a Part-Time or Full-Time Position * Will train and prefer a minimum of one year in a food preparation position Must be ...

Chili's Grill & Bar

Prep Cook

Helena, MT · On-site

$13.50 - $17/hr

Complete assigned prep work to stock and set-up stations * Contribute to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment About You * Friendly, warm, and caring demeanor with Team Members * Thinks and ...

Ryan Restaurant Corp

Line Cook

Helena, MT · On-site

$15 - $18.75/hr

All Cooks must be 16 years of age, or older. * Previous Cook / Kitchen / Professional Culinary ... We're also looking for Jefe / Jefa who have back of house preparation / food prep / production ...

Ryan Restaurant Corp

Line Cook

Helena, MT

$14.25 - $17.75/hr

All Cooks must be 16 years of age, or older. * Previous Cook / Kitchen / Professional Culinary ... prep / production experience.

Applebee's

Line Cook

Helena, MT

$14.25 - $17.75/hr

All Cooks must be 16 years of age, or older. * Previous Cook / Kitchen / Professional Culinary ... prep / production experience.

Edgewood Healthcare

Cook

Helena, MT · On-site

$17.75 - $20.50/hr

Help plan and meal prep for resident and employee special events * Maintain a clean and safe ... Previous cooking experience, desired * Active ServSafe Certification, desired Edgewood will provide ...

Qdoba Mexican Eats

Cook

Helena, MT · On-site

$16 - $17/hr

As a Cook, you would prepare and serve our guests. As part of this, you would help maintain the ... food prep logs/tools Restocks front line with prepared product during peak volumes and/or in ...

Qdoba Mexican Eats

Cook

Helena, MT · On-site

$16 - $17/hr

As a Cook, you would prepare and serve our guests. As part of this, you would help maintain the ... food prep logs/tools Restocks front line with prepared product during peak volumes and/or in ...

Qdoba Mexican Eats

Cook

Helena, MT · On-site

$15 - $16/hr

As a Cook, you would prepare and serve our guests. As part of this, you would help maintain the ... food prep logs/tools Restocks front line with prepared product during peak volumes and/or in ...

Qdoba Mexican Eats

Cook

Helena, MT · On-site

$15 - $16/hr

As a Cook, you would prepare and serve our guests. As part of this, you would help maintain the ... food prep logs/tools Restocks front line with prepared product during peak volumes and/or in ...

Chipotle

Crew Member

Helena, MT

$10.75 - $14.25/hr

... cook, prep cook or no experience at all, we're always looking for passionate and enthusiastic people to join our team. If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, we'd love to meet ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrep Cook JobsPrep Cook Jobs in Helena, MT

Prep Cook information

See Helena, MT 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 Helena, MT is $14.87, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.98 and $16.39 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 are the most commonly searched types of Prep Cook jobs in Helena, MT?

The most popular types of Prep Cook jobs in Helena, MT are:

What are popular job titles related to Prep Cook jobs in Helena, MT?

For Prep Cook jobs in Helena, MT, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Prep Cook jobs in Helena, MT look for?

The top searched job categories for Prep Cook jobs in Helena, MT are:

What cities near Helena, MT are hiring for Prep Cook jobs?

Cities near Helena, MT with the most Prep Cook job openings:

Prep Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Helena, MT as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 48% Full Time, and 52% Part Time. Highlights an 67% Physical, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $30,920 per year, or $14.9 per hour.

Prep Cook

Rise N Shine Cafe

Helena, MT • On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Benefits:
  • Competitive salary
  • Employee discounts
  • Free food & snacks
  • Profit sharing
  • Training & development
  • Opportunity for advancement

 
Position Description & Duties: Responsible as trained for all soups, sauces, slicing and dicing meats and vegetable and food prep and recipes in the kitchen. Produce prepared items for the line cooks.  Responsible for maintaining a sanitary kitchen work station.  Prep cooks will clean during and at the end of their shift. 
  • This can be a Part-Time or Full-Time Position
  • Will train and prefer a minimum of one year in a food preparation position Must be knowledgeable of the Health Department standards. 
  • Starting wages depend on job history and experience.
  • A minimum of one year in a food preparation preferred but not required.   
  • Must be interested in cooking relevant, is mentally sharp and self-motivated, enjoys/encourages positive team work, and able to follow written instruction and recipes.  
  • Must be able to exert fast paced mobility for periods of up to six hours in length.  Must have the ability to lift cases, pots, pans (etc.) up to 50 pounds in weight.  
  • Must be able to reach, bend, and stoop, frequently.  Must possess finger dexterity to use knives & small tools adeptly.  
  • During closing, must perform deep sweeps and moping entire kitchen, refrigerator, freezer and other back of house areas as assigned daily.
Our goal is to provide exceptional food and service in a clean and inviting family atmosphere. We provide our guests a relaxed feeling for conversation and belonging. 
 
The above declarations are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job.  Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the job.