1

Prep Cook Jobs in Oxnard, CA (NOW HIRING)

Prep Cook

Camarillo, CA

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Moorpark, CA

$14.75 - $18.50/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Agoura Hills, CA

$15.25 - $19.25/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Agoura Hills, CA

$15.25 - $19.25/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Valencia, CA

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Camarillo, CA · On-site

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Thousand Oaks, CA

$15 - $19/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Moorpark, CA

$14.75 - $18.50/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Moorpark, CA

$14.75 - $18.50/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Agoura Hills, CA

$15.25 - $19.25/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Camarillo, CA

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Ventura, CA · On-site

$15.25 - $19.25/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Valencia, CA · On-site

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Valencia, CA

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Thousand Oaks, CA · On-site

$15 - $19/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Camarillo, CA

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Valencia, CA

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Ventura, CA

$15.25 - $19.25/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Agoura, CA · On-site

$15.25 - $19.25/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

Prep Cook

Thousand Oaks, CA

$15 - $19/hr

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Prep Cook information

See Oxnard, CA salary details

$9

$16

$21

How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Oxnard, CA is $16.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.52 and $18.32 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.

What are popular job titles related to Prep Cook jobs in Oxnard, CA?

For Prep Cook jobs in Oxnard, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Prep Cook jobs in Oxnard, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Prep Cook jobs in Oxnard, CA are:

What cities near Oxnard, CA are hiring for Prep Cook jobs?

Cities near Oxnard, CA with the most Prep Cook job openings:

Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Oxnard, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,553 per year, or $16.6 per hour.

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Position Summary:

The Prep Cook prepares all food items ordered and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen. The Prep Cook is responsible for all aspects of their assigned cooking station, including set up, stocking, preparing ingredients, preparing simple dishes, and presenting dishes according to Wood Ranch’s recipes and specification. 

 

Prep Cook Responsibilities:

  • Setting up and sanitizing workstations.
  • Following prep lists prepared by managers and supervisors.
  • Maintaining a clean, orderly, and sanitized kitchen, including equipment, utensils, and tools.
  • Prepare food according to Wood Ranch recipes and health department standards.
  • Ensuring all food items are labelled, properly stored, and easily accessible. 
  • Washing, chopping, and sorting ingredients, like fruits, vegetables, and meats. 
  • Prepares fresh produce by peeling, cutting, and portioning.
  • Prepares meat by trimming, cutting, and portioning.
  • Perform culinary duties, including slicing, chopping, frying, broiling, and grilling. 
  • Communicate openly with management regarding any work-related concerns. 
  • Ensures and promote kitchen safety, hygiene codes, and cleanliness. 
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Minimum of 6 months’ experience as a line cook or prep cook in a full-service restaurant.

 

Required Skills/Abilities:

  • Basic understanding of or the ability to learn basic sanitation and regulations for workplace safety.
  • Basic understanding of or the ability to learn food handling techniques, preparation, and cooking procedures.
  • Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
  • Ability to work quickly and efficiently. 
  • Ability to work well as part of a team.
  • Ability to follow instructions and respond positively to feedback. 
  • Ability to maintain personal hygiene.

Physical Requirements:

  • Physically able to stand and move around for extended periods of time. 
  • Exposure to extreme heat, steam, and cold present in a kitchen environment.
  • Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. at times. 
  • Must be able to work late nights and unpredictable hours.
  • Manual dexterity to cut and chop foods and perform other related tasks.
  • Physically able to continuously bend, reach, and twist. 

Salary:

  • Starting at minimum wage, with wage increases based on experience.Â