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Prep Cook Jobs in Rensselaer, NY (NOW HIRING)

Prep Cook

Colonie, NY

$16 - $25.40/hr

A career at Whole Foods Market is more than just the work you do- it's about your personal growth and creating meaningful change. Our purpose is to nourish people and the planet. That means improving ...

cook/prep cook

Clifton Park, NY · On-site

$16 - $20/hr

IHOP Cooks are responsible for the preparation and cooking of food products accurately and with minimal waste. Duties of this position include learning and applying all IHOP-specialized galley ...

COOK, PREP

Troy, NY · On-site

$17.50/hr

* We are hiring immediately for full-time and part-time PREP COOK positions. * Location : Emma Willard School. 285 Pawling Ave. Troy, NY 12180. Note: online applications accepted only. * Schedule

Multiple Cook Opportunities. On the bus line. SGA Lists, LLC is a hospitality-focused staffing ... Prep Cook - Grill Operation: Operate and maintain the grill station, ensuring it is clean, safe ...

Line Cook

Clifton Park, NY · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Prep, cook, and assemble menu items according to recipes and standards * Perform prep work to support service, including chopping, portioning, and staging ingredients * Maintain proper portion ...

* We are hiring immediately for full-time and part-time PREP COOK positions. * Location : Emma Willard School. 285 Pawling Ave. Troy, NY 12180. Note: online applications accepted only. * Schedule

* We are hiring immediately for full-time and part-time PREP COOK positions. * Location : Emma Willard School. 285 Pawling Ave. Troy, NY 12180. Note: online applications accepted only. * Schedule

* We are hiring immediately for full-time and part-time PREP COOK positions. * Location : Emma Willard School. 285 Pawling Ave. Troy, NY 12180. Note: online applications accepted only. * Schedule

Line Cook

Clifton Park, NY · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Prep, cook, and assemble menu items according to recipes and standards * Perform prep work to support service, including chopping, portioning, and staging ingredients * Maintain proper portion ...

Dishwasher Prep Cook

Troy, NY · On-site

$16 - $16.50/hr

Following our guidelines and recipes for food prep and production Responsibilities * Maintain your station and help out other stations when needed * Keep organized during periods of high traffic

Line Cook

Schenectady, NY · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

The Whistling Kettle is seeking a dedicated Line Cook / prep cook to be an integral part of our kitchen team. Why Work With Us? * No Late Night Shifts: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with no late ...

Line Cook

Albany, NY · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

110 Grill Albany is now hiring line cooks and prep cooks: * We are looking for both full time and part-time availability. * Nights and weekends are required; however, we do offer flexible schedules.

Cook

Albany, NY · On-site

$18.62 - $23.62/hr

Hospitality is a team sport, so cooks can expect to be scheduled to work the line, spin crepes, dishwash, or do food prep. Cooks' compensation includes a competitive base wage plus a back-of-house ...

Cook

Albany, NY

$18.62 - $23.62/hr

Hospitality is a team sport, so cooks can expect to be scheduled to work the line, spin crepes, dishwash, or do food prep. Cooks' compensation includes a competitive base wage plus a back-of-house ...

Line Cook

Ballston Spa, NY · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

The Whistling Kettle is seeking a dedicated Line Cook / prep cook to be an integral part of our kitchen team. Our Ballston Spa location has been in operation for 20 years and has won numerous awards.

Grill Cook

Albany, NY · On-site

$14 - $18/hr

Grill Cook Why This Job is Amazing: * Flexible Schedule: Enjoy working 32 weeks during the school ... Prep Leader : Lead all heavy prep needed for the day * Team Collaboration: Work closely with the ...

Grill Cook

Albany, NY · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

Grill Cook Why This Job is Amazing: * Flexible Schedule: Enjoy working 32 weeks during the school ... Prep Leader : Lead all heavy prep needed for the day * Team Collaboration: Work closely with the ...

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Prep Cook information

See Rensselaer, NY salary details

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How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Rensselaer, NY is $15.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.61 and $17.16 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 cities near Rensselaer, NY are hiring for Prep Cook jobs?

Cities near Rensselaer, NY with the most Prep Cook job openings:

Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Rensselaer, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 49% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 73% Physical, and 27% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,395 per year, or $15.6 per hour.

Prep Cook

Whistling Kettle

Schenectady, NY • On-site

$16 - $17/hr

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Flexible schedule
  • Free food & snacks
  • Opportunity for advancement
  • Training & development