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Prep Cook Jobs in Springfield, MN (NOW HIRING)

Oak Hills Living Center

Cook

New Ulm, MN · On-site

$16.50 - $19/hr

The Cook will be responsible for preparing ingredients, cooking andpresenting dishes, and maintaining a clean and organized work area. Thesuccessful candidate will have strong attention to detail and ...

Dairy Queen

Cook

Redwood Falls, MN

$13.50 - $18/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 ...

Aramark

Cook - Yellow Medicine

Vesta, MN

$18 - $22/hr

As a Cook on our team, you?ll help bring recipes to life while being able to flex your creativity! Surrounded by fresh ingredients and the best equipment, you?ll be immersed in a world that goes ...

Sanford Health

Cook - Full Time

Westbrook, MN · On-site

$13.25 - $17.50/hr

No Department Details Summary Prepares, assemble baked goods, cooks, seasons and portions food for patients/residents, staff, and visitors of the designated facility, preparing and serving food ...

Sanford Health

Cook - Full Time

Westbrook, MN

$13.25 - $17.50/hr

No Department Details Summary Prepares, assemble baked goods, cooks, seasons and portions food for patients/residents, staff, and visitors of the designated facility, preparing and serving food ...

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Hy-Chi Cook

Marshall, MN · On-site

$12 - $15/hr

Hy-Chi Department Cook Department: Hy-Chi FLSA : Non-Exempt General Function : As an Hy-Chi Department Cook, this position will be responsible for preparing various foods for the Hy-Chi department.

Applebee's from Flynn Group

Cook

Marshall, MN

$16 - $21/hr

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 ...

Applebee's from Flynn Group

Cook

New Ulm, MN

$16 - $21/hr

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 ...

HyVee

Hy-Chi Cook

Marshall, MN

$12 - $15/hr

Hy-Chi Department Cook Department: Hy-Chi FLSA : Non-Exempt General Function : As an Hy-Chi Department Cook, this position will be responsible for preparing various foods for the Hy-Chi department.

Applebee's

Cook

New Ulm, MN · On-site

$16 - $21/hr

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 ...

Applebee's

Cook

Marshall, MN · On-site

$16 - $21/hr

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 ...

Applebee's

Cook

New Ulm, MN

$16 - $21/hr

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 ...

Applebee's

Cook

Marshall, MN

$16 - $21/hr

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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See Springfield, MN salary details

$8

$14

$19

How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Springfield, MN is $14.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.93 and $16.35 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.

Is prep cook entry level?

Prep cook positions are often entry-level roles that require basic cooking skills, such as knife handling and food preparation. Many employers provide on-the-job training, making it accessible for those with little or no prior experience in professional kitchens.

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 cities near Springfield, MN are hiring for Prep Cook jobs? Cities near Springfield, MN with the most Prep Cook job openings:
Prep Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Springfield, MN as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 45% Full Time, 54% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $30,826 per year, or $14.8 per hour.
Restaurant & Bakery Cook

Restaurant & Bakery Cook

Perkins Restaurant and Bakery

Marshall, MN • On-site

$16 - $20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery rating

5.1

Company rating: 5.1 out of 10

Based on 132 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

74th of 86 rated restaurants

Job description

Replies within 24 hours
Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee discounts
  • Flexible schedule
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision 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.
Compensation: $16.00 - $20.00 per hour
Founded in 1958, Perkins® operates 290 restaurants in 32 states and two Canadian provinces. The Perkins system includes 85 company-owned and operated restaurants and 205 franchised units. With its diverse, moderately priced menu featuring breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bakery offerings, and its attractive and recently remodeled restaurants designed to facilitate efficiency and guest satisfaction, Perkins Restaurant & Bakery is a dining favorite with a solid and respected reputation in the marketplace.
The longevity and success of Perkins Restaurant & Bakery is largely attributed to the concept's ability to adapt to shifts in consumer dining trends and evolving taste preferences while delivering that homestyle goodness that guests crave. At Perkins, we're always updating our menu with fresh, flavorful and innovative items that take their place right alongside Perkins' iconic guest favorites, some of which have been on our menu for more than 30 years. We also take great pride in differentiating ourselves with the service and experience we provide. This has and continues to be a hallmark of our brand.
BE A PART OF OUR SUCCESS
Perkins has 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!
This franchise is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. Your application will go directly to the franchisee, and all hiring decisions will be made by the management of this franchisee. All inquiries about employment at this franchisee should be made directly to the franchise location, and not to Perkins Corporate.

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