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Prep Cook Jobs in Springfield, IL (NOW HIRING)

Bella Milano

Cook

Springfield, IL · On-site

$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 ...

Illini Country Club

Cook

Springfield, IL

$18 - $25/hr

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

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 ...

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 ...

Jos Place Inc

Full Time Cook

Virden, IL · On-site

$15.50 - $18/hr

We are seeking a Full Time Cook to join our dedicated kitchen staff! You will assist in the preparation, cooking, and presentation of meals in our professional kitchen. The position includes cooking ...

Jos Place Inc

Full Time Cook

Virden, IL · On-site

$15.50 - $18/hr

We are seeking a Full Time Cook to join our dedicated kitchen staff! You will assist in the preparation, cooking, and presentation of meals in our professional kitchen. The position includes cooking ...

The Villas Senior Care Community - East

Cook

Sherman, IL · On-site

$15 - $17/hr

We are currently seeking a Cook to provide timely preparation of quality food for residents, guests, family members and staff according to established facility policies and procedures, using safe ...

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All JobsPrep Cook JobsPrep Cook Jobs in Springfield, IL

Prep Cook information

See Springfield, IL salary details

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How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 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.

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.
More about Prep Cook jobs

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The most popular types of Prep Cook jobs in Springfield, IL are:

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For Prep Cook jobs in Springfield, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Prep Cook jobs in Springfield, IL are:

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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 65% Full Time, and 35% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $32,338 per year, or $15.5 per hour.

Heart of House Lead (Springfield, IL)

World Wide Wings, LLC

Springfield, IL • On-site

$9 - $19/hr

Other

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

JOB PURPOSE:
This position is responsible for the preparation and production of all Buffalo Wild Wings menu items. Several roles within this position include the Chip, Shake, Grill, Southwest, and Expo stations.
CORE JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Prep and Portion
  • Get prep list from Manager on Duty (MOD) and prep items according to the need of the shift
  • Ensure you are using proper containers, filling to appropriate fill lines, and following FDIR and FIFO procedures
  • Clean, sanitize, and put away prep items when finished
  • Portion appropriate items according to MOD's requirements
  • Track all waste on Waste Sheet per Company Standard Procedures

Chip Station
  • Responsible for all preparation of fried chips, wedges, and onion rings prepared in the kitchen of the restaurant. Ensure all chip coolers are clean and free of extra debris
  • The Chip position portions and prepares food items prior to cooking in accordance with the Chip Packaging Chart.
  • Other duties include, maintaining the fryers and quality of the shortening/oil as outlined in the Fryer Rotation Chart and Shortening Management Reference Guide.
  • The Chip position is also responsible for maintaining a sanitary and clean kitchen workstation.
  • Grill Station Responsible for all preparation of grilled items prepared in the kitchen of the
  • restaurant.
  • The Grill person portions and prepares food items prior to cooking in accordance with the Prep Sheets and Grill Station Chart.
  • Other duties include maintaining the grill and quality of the products outlined in the Prep Sheets and Grill Station Guide.
  • The Grill Station is also responsible for maintaining a sanitary and clean kitchen work station.

Shake Station
  • Ensure all sauce pumps are cleaned, filled, and in working order
  • Ensure all sauce and seasoning buckets have been washed and dried
  • Ensure all seasoning shakers are clean, filled no more than ¾ full
  • Prime the sauce buckets - priming rules do not apply to seasoning buckets
  • Ensure hot wing holding drawers are turned on, are at 180°F with the vents open
  • Weigh wings to determine cooking time for shift

Southwest Station
  • Responsible for all preparation of wraps, salads, flatbreads, etc.
  • Responsible for maintaining cold rail and making sure food is properly stocked
  • Responsible for maintaining and sanitary and clean work station

Expo Station
  • The Expo position functions as the communication link between and among the kitchen line and the front of the house to ensure the coordination and smooth flow of quality products being produced and served to customers.
  • This position also controls food presentation, quality assurance and timeliness of food delivery.

Shift Change Responsibilities
  • Clean and stock each station following FIFO guidelines
  • Ensure all soap and sanitizer buckets are changed minimally every four hours
  • Empty any trash containers that need to be emptied
  • Wash all necessary dishes
  • Wash all sauce and seasoning buckets
  • Notify MOD of any equipment that is not working properly or not being help to proper temperatures
  • Ensure LDIR and FIFO methods are being followed at all times
  • Help other stations as needed
  • Skim, polish, filter, dump fryers - follow your restaurant's filtering schedule
  • Other duties as assigned by supervisor

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Buffalo Wild Wings reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of Buffalo Wild Wings or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.
Knowledge/Skills:
• Knowledge of proper sanitation, food safety, and security procedures
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Skill in time management and organization with excellent attention to detail
• Ability to take direction and execute team and company objectives
• Knowledge of specs, cook times, plate presentation, etc.
• CSK/KDU/ticket order management system
Freedom to Act:
• Comply with all specs, quality standards, and department rules and procedures
• Take direction from outside and inside Expo
Size and Complexity:
• Ability to follow specific service time and guidelines Ability to maintain a high degree of pace and intensity for an extended period of time
• Must be reliable and dependable by adhering to a schedule, covering shifts as necessary, and being on time for scheduled shifts
Interaction:
• WOW our Team Members by providing the same respect, positive encouragement, and fair treatment within the organization that we expect Team Members to share externally with every guest
• Maintain positive working relationships with all Team Members and managers
• Work as a contributing member of a team
External Relationships:
• WOW our guests every day by achieving the highest level of satisfaction with an extraordinary focus on friendly service, food, fun, and value
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Required
• Minimum 16 years of age (State Minor Laws Supersede)
Preferred
• Prior experience working in restaurant or retail environment

Apply