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Prep Cook Jobs in Portland, ME (NOW HIRING)

Bagel Works

Prep Cook (Portland, ME)

Portland, ME · On-site

$18 - $21/hr

Prep Cook (slice, dice, measure, and mix) About us: The Works ® is a growing regional chain of community-minded cafés, dedicated to providing the highest quality food and friendliest customer ...

Spare Time Entertainment

Line Cook

Portland, ME

$16 - $20/hr

Prep, cook, and assemble dishes according to recipes and standards * Practice portion control and minimize waste to help keep costs on track * Keep service running smoothly by restocking ingredients ...

Spare Time Entertainment

Line Cook

Portland, ME · On-site

$16 - $20/hr

Prep, cook, and assemble dishes according to recipes and standards * Practice portion control and minimize waste to help keep costs on track * Keep service running smoothly by restocking ingredients ...

Eatn Park Hospitality Group

Salad Prep

Biddeford, ME · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Salad Prep - Parkhurst Dining Are you looking for a values-driven environment with opportunities to learn and grow? Do you want to join a fun, supportive team where you can build lifelong ...

Eatn Park Hospitality Group

Salad Prep

Biddeford, ME

$17 - $20/hr

Salad Prep - Parkhurst Dining Are you looking for a values-driven environment with opportunities to learn and grow? Do you want to join a fun, supportive team where you can build lifelong ...

Eatn Park Hospitality Group

Salad Prep

Biddeford, ME

$17 - $20/hr

Salad Prep - Parkhurst Dining Are you looking for a values-driven environment with opportunities to learn and grow? Do you want to join a fun, supportive team where you can build lifelong ...

Eatn Park Hospitality Group

Salad Prep

Biddeford, ME · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Salad Prep - Parkhurst Dining Are you looking for a values-driven environment with opportunities to learn and grow? Do you want to join a fun, supportive team where you can build lifelong ...

Parkhurst Dining

Salad Prep

Biddeford, ME · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Job Summary The salad prep team member is responsible for the quality and quantity of prepared salad items. All salad items must be prepped in accordance with Parkhurst Culinary Gold Standards ...

Parkhurst Dining

Prep/Saucier

Biddeford, ME

$19 - $21/hr

JOB SUMMARY This person is responsible for properly preparing, cooking, and storing food items that are prepared in advance to establish consistent yields and food quality. He/she shall prepare all ...

SSH DT Portland LLC

Cook

Portland, ME

$14.50 - $19.50/hr

Work efficiently under pressure during high-volume service periods. Assist with prep work, cleaning ... Understanding of basic cooking techniques and kitchen equipment. Strong attention to detail ...

LOST VALLEY MANAGEMENT LLC

Line Cook (Cook I)

Auburn, ME · On-site

$17 - $21.25/hr

This role is responsible for executing prep and service with consistency, speed, and attention to ... cook, or relevant kitchen experience preferred * Strong understanding of kitchen workflow, prep ...

StepStone Hospitality

Cook

Portland, ME · On-site

$14.50 - $19.50/hr

... Assist with prep work, cleaning duties, and other kitchen tasks as assigned. • Communicate ... cooking experience in a restaurant or commercial kitchen preferred. • Understanding of basic ...

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All JobsPrep Cook JobsPrep Cook Jobs in Portland, ME

Prep Cook information

See Portland, ME salary details

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How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Portland, ME is $16.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $17.98 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.

How to get a job as a prep cook?

To get a job as a prep cook, you should gain basic cooking skills, knowledge of food safety and sanitation, and experience in a kitchen environment. Many employers look for previous kitchen work, a high school diploma or equivalent, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced setting. Applying to entry-level restaurant or catering positions and demonstrating reliability can improve your chances of securing a prep cook role.

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 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.
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For Prep Cook jobs in Portland, ME, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Prep Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Portland, ME as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 61% Full Time, and 35% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $33,856 per year, or $16.3 per hour.

Prep Cook (Portland, ME)

Bagel Works

Portland, ME • On-site

$18 - $21/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Prep Cook (slice, dice, measure, and mix)
About us: The Works ® is a growing regional chain of community-minded cafés, dedicated to providing the highest quality food and friendliest customer service. Each of our cafés reflects the unique character and needs of the communities we serve. We're committed to sourcing healthy, local ingredients for our bagels, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, soups, salads, smoothies, fresh-baked sweets and more...Our mission is to contribute to the health and well-being of our communities: our customers, our team members, and the environment.
Come experience our vibrant, community-oriented culture that promises to offer something new each day and opportunities to grow.
About you: Are you experienced and passionate about food? Do you enjoy working behind-the- scenes? Are you looking for a stable dayshift schedule with evenings free? Do you have the ability to move quickly and efficiently between tasks and enjoy fast-paced work? Are you the type of person who is committed to consistency and providing food and service that customers can rely on? If you answered yes, this could be just the "thing"!
Job Overview: We're looking for a food service professional to join our back-of-the-house team in Portland, ME! We prefer someone with prior food preparation experience, great communication skills, and the ability to move quickly and efficiently between tasks. Training will be provided for the right candidate.
Position Type: Full-time and part-time positions available
Duties Include:
  • Back of house food preparation
  • Ensuring food safety standards are always respected
  • Maintaining stocks
  • Efficient cleaning of workspace
  • Regular inventory
  • Assisting front of house team as needed

A successful candidate must be detail-oriented, have weekend availability, and have prior experience in food prep. Must be able to stand and walk for periods of 8 + hours each shift, and be able to reach, bend, balance, and transport objects repeatedly during a shift.
Industry Leading Benefits:
  • Employee discount on our nourishing meals (not just prepping but eating!)
  • Competitive pay (ask around-hourly pay plus pooled staff tips will be worth your efforts)
  • Paid vacations! (Yeah, get paid to play in the sand, hike a mountain or visit family...)
  • Insurance-take care of yourself with medical, dental, and vision insurance program
  • Performance-based BONUS opportunities!

Salary Description
$18.00 - $21.00/hr (inclusive of average tips)

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