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Prep Cook Jobs in Springfield, IL (NOW HIRING)

Chipotle

Crew Member

Springfield, IL

$11.75 - $15.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

... cook, prep cook or no experience at all, we're always looking for passionate and enthusiastic people to join our team. If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, we'd love to meet ...

Chipotle

Crew Member

Springfield, IL

$12 - $15.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

... cook, prep cook or no experience at all, we're always looking for passionate and enthusiastic people to join our team. If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, we'd love to meet ...

CHIPOTLE

Crew Member

Springfield, IL · On-site

$12 - $15.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

So, whether you have experience as a dishwasher, cashier, server, host, bartender, cook, prep cook or no experience at all, we're always looking for passionate and enthusiastic people to join our ...

Chipotle

Crew Member

Springfield, IL

$11.75 - $15.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

... cook, prep cook or no experience at all, we're always looking for passionate and enthusiastic people to join our team. If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, we'd love to meet ...

CHIPOTLE

Crew Member

Springfield, IL · On-site

$12 - $15.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

So, whether you have experience as a dishwasher, cashier, server, host, bartender, cook, prep cook or no experience at all, we're always looking for passionate and enthusiastic people to join our ...

Bella Milano

Cook

Springfield, IL

$15 - $18/hr

Tired of pre-made sauces and microwaves, and want to cook? Tired of corporate rules and not being recognized for your work? Bella Milano is a locally owned family business that cares about its ...

Bella Milano

Cook

Springfield, IL

$15 - $18/hr

Tired of pre-made sauces and microwaves, and want to cook? Tired of corporate rules and not being recognized for your work? Bella Milano is a locally owned family business that cares about its ...

Golden Corral

Cook

Springfield, IL · On-site

$14 - $18.50/hr

The Cook is responsible for the quality, quantity, tastiness, and freshness of all Hot Choice Buffet products. The Cook pays special attention to speed, cleanliness, organization, and product ...

Illini Country Club

Cook

Springfield, IL · On-site

$18 - $25/hr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Cook on our team, you will play a crucial role in creating high-quality dishes that exceed our members' expectations. You will prepare and cook a variety of meals with precision and care ...

North Mac Schools

Cook - Full Time

Girard, IL · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

COOK Minimum Qualifications: * Knowledge of food preparation * Ability to work as an effective team member * Basic physical and visual activities are required * Criminal background checks are ...

North Mac Schools

Sub Cook

Girard, IL · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

COOK Minimum Qualifications: * Knowledge of food preparation * Ability to work as an effective team member * Basic physical and visual activities are required * Criminal background checks are ...

North Mac Schools

Cook - Full Time

Girard, IL · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

COOK Minimum Qualifications: * Knowledge of food preparation * Ability to work as an effective team member * Basic physical and visual activities are required * Criminal background checks are ...

North Mac Schools

Sub Cook

Girard, IL · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

COOK Minimum Qualifications: * Knowledge of food preparation * Ability to work as an effective team member * Basic physical and visual activities are required * Criminal background checks are ...

North Mac Schools

Cook - Full Time

Girard, IL · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

COOK Minimum Qualifications: * Knowledge of food preparation * Ability to work as an effective team member * Basic physical and visual activities are required * Criminal background checks are ...

North Mac Schools

Cook - Full Time

Girard, IL

$13 - $17.50/hr

COOK Minimum Qualifications: * Knowledge of food preparation * Ability to work as an effective team member * Basic physical and visual activities are required * Criminal background checks are ...

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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 Aug 17, 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 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.

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.
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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 45% Full Time, 54% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 71% Physical, and 29% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,338 per year, or $15.5 per hour.

Crew Member

Chipotle

Springfield, IL

$11.75 - $15.50/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago

Chipotle rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 1,994 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 20 rated casual dining restaurants

Job description

CULTIVATE A BETTER WORLD

Food served fast does not have to be a typical fast-food experience. Chipotle has always done things differently, both in and out of our restaurants. We are changing the face of fast food, starting conversations, and directly supporting efforts to shift the future of farming and food. We hope you will join us as we continue to learn, evolve, and shape what comes next on our mission to make better food accessible to everyone.

THE OPPORTUNITY 

At Chipotle, we’ve created a better place to eat and work. Many employees start just expecting a paycheck but end up with a rewarding career. We provide exceptional training and a clear career path – over 80% of our managers were promoted from Crew. We prepare real food by hand every day in our restaurants. No freezers, microwaves or can openers to be found.  We’ll provide the training you need to feel confident working at any station – grill, cashier, prep, salsa and expo. We take pride in our exceptional customer service and it’s up to each of our team members to create the friendly atmosphere that our customers expect and enjoy. So, whether you have experience as a dishwasher, cashier, server, host, bartender, cook, prep cook or no experience at all, we’re always looking for passionate and enthusiastic people to join our team. If this sounds like something you’d like to be a part of, we’d love to meet you! See more details below and apply today.  

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU 

  • Tuition assistance (100% coverage for select degrees or up to $5,250/year) 

  • Free food (yes, really FREE) 

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance 

  • Digital Tips

  • Paid time off 

  • Holiday closures 

  • Competitive compensation 

  • Full and part-time opportunities 

  • Opportunities for advancement (80% of managers started as Crew) 

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE TABLE 

  • A friendly, enthusiastic attitude 

  • Passion for helping and serving others (both customers and team members) 

  • Desire to learn how to cook (a lot) 

  • Be at least 16 years old 

  • Ability to communicate in the primary language(s) of the work location

​

PAY TRANSPARENCY

Below is the base pay range for this position, which is also eligible for digital tips. Actual base pay may vary depending on skill level, experience and/or education. In addition to base pay, Chipotle offers a competitive benefits package. Visit https://jobs.chipotle.com/benefits for more details.

$15.25–16.25

WHO WE ARE

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle has restaurants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. With employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit www.chipotle.com.

Chipotle Mexican Grill is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair employment practices at all levels of the organization without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. As a values-driven, people-first company, we are committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and have the opportunity to realize their full potential. All qualified applicants, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  


Qualified applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or certain state or local laws. Please contact ADAaccommodations@chipotle.com if you need an accommodation due to a disability to complete an application, job interview, and/or to otherwise participate in the hiring process. This email does not respond to non-accommodations related requests. 

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