ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Prep Cook Jobs in Springfield, IL (NOW HIRING)

Sonic

Cook

Springfield, IL · On-site

$14 - $18.50/hr

Cook, prepare, and package food product pursuant to operational and quality standards ... Operate dresser, front swamp, back swamp, grill, and food prep stations as assigned * Comply with ...

Sonic Drive-In

Cook

Taylorville, IL · On-site

$13.25 - $18/hr

Cook, prepare, and package food product pursuant to operational and quality standards ... Operate dresser, front swamp, back swamp, grill, and food prep stations as assigned * Comply with ...

Soar Restaurants

Cook

Springfield, IL · On-site

$14 - $18.50/hr

Cook, prepare, and package food product pursuant to operational and quality standards ... Operate dresser, front swamp, back swamp, grill, and food prep stations as assigned * Comply with ...

Sonic

Cook

Taylorville, IL

$13.25 - $18/hr

Cook, prepare, and package food product pursuant to operational and quality standards ... Operate dresser, front swamp, back swamp, grill, and food prep stations as assigned * Comply with ...

Guernsey Holdings LLC

Cook

Taylorville, IL

$13.25 - $18/hr

Cook, prepare, and package food product pursuant to operational and quality standards ... Operate dresser, front swamp, back swamp, grill, and food prep stations as assigned * Comply with ...

Red Lobster

Cook

Springfield, IL

$15 - $25/hr

Setting up and stocking prep and line stations * Cleaning, sanitizing, and organizing the kitchen ... Prepping, seasoning, and cooking food according to recipes, quantity calls, and specification while ...

Red Lobster

Cook

Springfield, IL · On-site

$15 - $25/hr

Setting up and stocking prep and line stations * Cleaning, sanitizing, and organizing the kitchen ... Prepping, seasoning, and cooking food according to recipes, quantity calls, and specification while ...

Red Lobster

Cook

Springfield, IL · On-site

$15 - $25/hr

Setting up and stocking prep and line stations * Cleaning, sanitizing, and organizing the kitchen ... Prepping, seasoning, and cooking food according to recipes, quantity calls, and specification while ...

Red Lobster

Cook

Springfield, IL

$15 - $25/hr

Setting up and stocking prep and line stations * Cleaning, sanitizing, and organizing the kitchen ... Prepping, seasoning, and cooking food according to recipes, quantity calls, and specification while ...

Red Lobster

Cook

Springfield, IL

$15 - $25/hr

Setting up and stocking prep and line stations Cleaning, sanitizing, and organizing the kitchen ... seasoning, and cooking food according to recipes, quantity calls, and specification while ...

World Wide Wings, LLC

Cook (Wabash, IL)

Springfield, IL · On-site

$15 - $20/hr

Cooks (Heart of House Team Members) Bring your passion to Buffalo Wild Wings-where every shift ... Help with prep, stocking, and closing duties * The duties of this position may change from time to ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrep Cook JobsPrep Cook Jobs in Springfield, IL

Prep Cook information

See Springfield, IL salary details

$9

$15

$20

How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Springfield, IL is $15.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.56 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 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.

What are prep cooks?

Prep cooks are kitchen professionals responsible for preparing ingredients and basic components needed for recipes. Their duties typically include washing, chopping, and measuring ingredients, as well as organizing workstations and ensuring that the kitchen runs efficiently. Prep cooks support chefs and line cooks by making sure everything is ready for meal preparation and service. This role is essential in both restaurants and catering operations, as it helps maintain a smooth workflow and consistent food quality.

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.
More about Prep Cook jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Prep Cook jobs in Springfield, IL? The most popular types of Prep Cook jobs in Springfield, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Prep Cook jobs in Springfield, IL? For Prep Cook jobs in Springfield, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prep Cook jobs in Springfield, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Prep Cook jobs in Springfield, IL are:
What cities near Springfield, IL are hiring for Prep Cook jobs? Cities near Springfield, IL with the most Prep Cook job openings:
Prep Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Springfield, IL as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 45% Full Time, and 55% Part Time. Highlights an 62% Physical, and 38% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,338 per year, or $15.5 per hour.
Cook

Cook

Sonic

Springfield, IL • On-site

$14 - $18.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Sonic Drive-In rating

4.7

Company rating: 4.7 out of 10

Based on 1,602 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

75th of 104 rated fast food restaurants

Job description

Position: Cook

Immediate Supervisor: Manager on Duty (MOD)

Status:Nonexempt


Position Summary: This position cooks, prepares, and packages product.


Essential Job Duties:

  • Cook, prepare, and package food product pursuant to operational and quality standards
  • Operate dresser, front swamp, back swamp, grill, and food prep stations as assigned
  • Comply with all company policies, procedures, and operational standards
  • Perform regular cleaning and sanitation duties - including trash disposal, mopping, sweeping, washing dishes and food preparation tools, wiping counters, sanitizing food preparation areas, cleaning equipment, and emptying used grease - pursuant to operational standards
  • Regular attendance


ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

  • Report customer or employee complaints/issues to MOD
  • Move and stock food product weighing up to 50 pounds
  • Perform other job-related duties as assigned or required


Time/Shift Expectations: Irregular hours; nights; weekends; and holidays


Qualifications and Job Requirements:

  • Knowledge/Skills
  • General restaurant or retail knowledge
  • Basic math and reading skills
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to follow directions
  • Multi-tasking skills

Work Environment: Continuous standing, bending, reaching, moving, stooping, stretching, and lifting in a restaurant environment; frequent exposure to heat and hot liquid shortening while cooking; frequent exposure to freezer when stocking food items; occasional exposure to extreme temperatures based on variable weather conditions


Employment Type: FULL_TIME

What Sonic Drive-In employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply