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Prep Cook Jobs in Spicer, MN (NOW HIRING)

Cook

Willmar, MN · On-site

$13.75 - $18.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Follow food safety and sanitation procedures at all times * Assist with prep work, cooking, and closing duties as required * Collaborate with team members to ensure timely and quality service

Cook

Spicer, MN · On-site

$14 - $18.75/hr

Dairy Queen - Urgent Cook Position Available! Are you looking for a fun and loving environment where you can showcase your culinary skills? Do you thrive in a dynamic team atmosphere? If so, Dairy ...

Cook

Willmar, MN · On-site

$13.75 - $18.50/hr

Dairy Queen - Urgent Cook Position Available! Are you looking for a fun and loving environment where you can showcase your culinary skills? Do you thrive in a dynamic team atmosphere? If so, Dairy ...

Cook

Renville, MN · On-site

$14 - $18.50/hr

Cooks and prepares a variety of food through standardized recipes * Ensuring all meals meet quality standards, are correctly prepared and within acceptable time limits * Monitors and directs food ...

Cook

Cold Spring, MN · On-site

$19 - $23.97/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Cook Job Locations USA-MN-Cold Spring Campus Name Benedictine Living Community-Cold Spring Category Culinary Services Position Type Full-Time Shift Days Specific Shift Times 5:30am-6:00pm Scheduled ...

Cook

Albany, MN · On-site

$19.08 - $22/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Cook Job Locations USA-MN-Albany Campus Name Benedictine Living Community-Mother of Mercy Category Culinary Services Position Type Full-Time Shift Days Specific Shift Times 9:30am-6pm Scheduled Days ...

Cook

Cold Spring, MN · On-site

$21.08 - $22.72/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Cook Job Locations USA-MN-Cold Spring Campus Name Benedictine Living Community-Cold Spring Category Culinary Services Position Type Full-Time Shift Days Specific Shift Times 6:30am-7:00pm Scheduled ...

Sub Cook

Albany, MN · On-site

$18.66 - $23.32/hr

The Substitute Cook is responsible for the preparation and service of the Senior Dining Program menus for Congregate and Meals on Wheels in the absence of the Food Coordinator. Major Job ...

Cook

Albany, MN · On-site

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Cook, you will create nutritious and appealing dining experiences for our wonderful residents. * Create menus that drive resident meal satisfaction. * Serves meals based on residents ...

Sub Cook

Albany, MN · On-site

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

The Substitute Cook is responsible for the preparation and service of the Senior Dining Program menus for Congregate and Meals on Wheels in the absence of the Food Coordinator. Major Job ...

Cook

Cold Spring, MN

$13.75 - $18.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Cook, you will create nutritious and appealing dining experiences for our wonderful residents. * Create menus that drive resident meal satisfaction. * Serves meals based on residents ...

Cook

Cold Spring, MN

$13.75 - $18.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Cook, you will create nutritious and appealing dining experiences for our wonderful residents. * Create menus that drive resident meal satisfaction. * Serves meals based on residents ...

Cook

Willmar, MN · On-site

$16 - $21/hr

  • Medical

  • Life

As an Applebee's Cook, you will make our amazing menu items worth coming back for. You must be a great communicator and be able to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment. You will work ...

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Prep Cook information

See Spicer, MN salary details

$9

$15

$20

How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Spicer, MN is $15.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.61 and $17.21 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.

What cities near Spicer, MN are hiring for Prep Cook jobs?

Cities near Spicer, MN with the most Prep Cook job openings:

Restaurant and Bakery Prep Cook

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery - KRMM hospitality

Willmar, MN • On-site

$14 - $17.75/hr

Part-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 19 days ago


Perkins Restaurant & Bakery rating

4.9

Company rating: 4.9 out of 10

Based on 135 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

78th of 88 rated restaurants


Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Competitive salary
  • Health insurance

At Perkins Restaurant & Bakery our employees are part of the Perkins extended family and the families we serve. And you'll be responsible for making special days memorable and everyday meals something extraordinary.  At Perkins where we've experienced years of success through ensuring 100% guest satisfaction on every visit. If you want to work and grow with a company who has a proven track record of success, has an unmatched commitment to their employees and employees the best in the industry, you are in the right place! We respect one another for our talent, creativity and individual differences. We bring our greatest individual strengths to achieve success as a team. If career growth is what you are looking for- we got that too!
 
SUMMARY OF POSITION
Prepares menu items according to company policies, procedures, programs and performance standards. Responsible for helping to maintain food costs and maintain cleanliness of the kitchen at all times. Performs all duties to maximize guest satisfaction and quality of work environment as directed by Kitchen Manager or Manager on Duty.
 
POSITION ACTIVITIES AND TASKS
  • Prepares Cooking Items
  • Reports to work well-groomed, in clean and proper uniform and at all times practices good person hygiene.
  • Uses, maintains and cleans all kitchen equipment, plus preparation and storage areas.
  • Stocks and rotates products on line to ensure they are within shelf life standards.
  • Has sufficient knowledge of recipes, menu items and prep procedures to ensure correct portioning, quality, cooking time and performance standards.
  • Prepares prep items according to guest request within company standards and following food safety and sanitation procedures.
  • Controls Food Cost
  • Ensures products are accurately portioned and ensures food products are prepared as specified by recipes.
  • Utilizes FIFO (first in first out) standards when preparing items.
  • Maintains Cleanliness
  • Maintains cleanliness of the kitchen, prep areas, coolers and storage areas
  • Follows proper safety procedures and policies concerning food handling, rotation and storage
  • Conducts line sweeps throughout the shift
  • “Clean as you go” throughout the shift
  • Understands OSHA requirements and health department standards
  • Cleans all equipment on line and other areas as directed by the Kitchen manager or Manager on duty.
  • Anticipates, identifies and corrects system breakdowns to achieve maximum guest satisfaction.
  • Communicates with Manager on Duty and coworkers regarding product/service deficiencies, equipment, safety problems. Etc.
  • Keeps General Manager and Manager on Duty informed of problems and/or issues and proposes alternative solutions for consideration.
  • Assists Team Members
  • Preps items according to recipes and procedures
  • Assists dishwasher with washing and restocking dishes, pots, pans and utensils
  • Assist front of house staff with cleanliness of dining room
  • Provides guest service by communicating and cooperating with the front of house staff.
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ENVIRONMENT/WORKING CONDITIONS
  • Extensive standing and walking for up to 8 hours
  • Must be able to see at a distance (20) feet, at close range (12 inches), distinguish between shapes and utilize peripheral vision to avoid hazards.
  • Must be able to communicate clearly
  • Exposure to heat, steam, smoke, cold
  • Reaching heights of approximately 6 feet and depts. of 2 ½ - 3 feet.
  • Must have high level of mobility/flexibility in space provided
  • Must have time management skills
  • Must be able to read, write and perform addition/subtraction calculations
  • Must be able to control and utilize fingers to write, slice chop and operate equipment.
  • Must be able to fit through openings 30” wide
  • Must be able to work irregular hours under heavy pressure/stress during busy times
  • Bending, reaching, walking
  • Carrying trays of food products weighing about 50 pounds for distances up to 30 feet
  • Lifting up to 50 pounds
  • Exposure to dish and cleaning chemicals
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Receives direction and training from the Kitchen Manager or Manager on duty as to the specific procedures and assignments.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIRED:
Basic skills such as sanitation, safety, and customer service can be taught through in house training.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
None
 
Disclaimer
This position description in not intended, and should not be construed to be, an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with job. It is intended, however, to be an accurate reflection of those principle job elements essential for making decisions related to job performance, employee development and compensation. As such, the incumbent may perform other duties and responsibilities as required.
 

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