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Prep Cook Jobs in Springfield, MO (NOW HIRING)

Big Whiskey's of Southwest Missouri

Line Cook

Republic, MO · On-site

$15 - $17/hr

Accurately and efficiently cook meats, fish, vegetables, soups, and other hot food products as well ... Assists in food prep assignments during off-peak periods as needed * Closes the kitchen properly ...

Jimmy's Egg

Breakfast Cook

Springfield, MO · On-site

$12.25 - $16/hr

As a Cook/Prep person, you will be responsible for using the correct tools to prepare all items according to our recipes, plate presentations, and specifications while maintaining a clean work area ...

Applebee's

Cook

Springfield, MO · On-site

$10 - $18/hr

Completes all assigned prep work. Sets up work station according to station diagram. Practices ... and Cooks. 2. Must be able to read and write to facilitate proper communication and fill in ...

Applebee's

Cook

Springfield, MO · On-site

$10 - $18/hr

Completes all assigned prep work. Sets up work station according to station diagram. Practices ... and Cooks. 2. Must be able to read and write to facilitate proper communication and fill in ...

Applebee's

Cook

Nixa, MO · On-site

$10 - $18/hr

Completes all assigned prep work. Sets up work station according to station diagram. Practices ... and Cooks. 2. Must be able to read and write to facilitate proper communication and fill in ...

Apple Centra

Line Cook / Kitchen Team

Nixa, MO · On-site

$14 - $17.50/hr

All Cooks must be 18 years of age, or older. * Previous Cook / Kitchen / Professional Culinary ... We're also looking for Jefe / Jefa who have back of house preparation / food prep / production ...

Apple Centra

Line Cook / Kitchen Team

Springfield, MO · On-site

$14.25 - $18/hr

All Cooks must be 18 years of age, or older. * Previous Cook / Kitchen / Professional Culinary ... We're also looking for Jefe / Jefa who have back of house preparation / food prep / production ...

Apple Centra

Line Cook / Kitchen Team

Springfield, MO · On-site

$14.25 - $18/hr

All Cooks must be 18 years of age, or older. * Previous Cook / Kitchen / Professional Culinary ... We're also looking for Jefe / Jefa who have back of house preparation / food prep / production ...

Big Whiskey's

Line Cook

Republic, MO · On-site

$15 - $17/hr

Accurately and efficiently cook meats, fish, vegetables, soups, and other hot food products as well ... Assists in food prep assignments during off-peak periods as needed * Closes the kitchen properly ...

Big Whiskey's

Line Cook

Springfield, MO · On-site

$15 - $17/hr

Accurately and efficiently cook meats, fish, vegetables, soups, and other hot food products as well ... Assists in food prep assignments during off-peak periods as needed * Closes the kitchen properly ...

Big Whiskey's

Line Cook

Ozark, MO · On-site

$15 - $17/hr

Accurately and efficiently cook meats, fish, vegetables, soups, and other hot food products as well ... Assists in food prep assignments during off-peak periods as needed * Closes the kitchen properly ...

Big Whiskey's

Line Cook

Springfield, MO · On-site

$15 - $17/hr

Accurately and efficiently cook meats, fish, vegetables, soups, and other hot food products as well ... Assists in food prep assignments during off-peak periods as needed * Closes the kitchen properly ...

Raising Cane's

Restaurant Crewmember

Springfield, MO

$15/hr

Whether you have experience as a customer service associate, retail team member, cashier, restaurant server, kitchen lead, cook, prep cook, drive thru cashier or any other restaurant or service ...

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Prep Cook information

See Springfield, MO salary details

$7

$13

$17

How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Springfield, MO is $13.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.68 and $14.76 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.
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Prep Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Springfield, MO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, and 32% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $27,822 per year, or $13.4 per hour.

Line Cook

Big Whiskey's of Southwest Missouri

Springfield, MO • On-site

$15 - $17/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Benefits:
  • Employee discounts
  • Flexible schedule

Summary of Position:  
Accurately and efficiently cook meats, fish, vegetables, soups, and other hot food products as well as prepare and portion food products prior to cooking. Also, perform other duties in the areas of food and final plate preparation including plating and garnishing of cooked items and preparing appropriate garnishes for all hot menu item plates. 
 
 
Duties and Responsibilities: 
  • Prepares a variety of meats, seafood, poultry, vegetables, and other food items for cooking in broilers, ovens, grills, fryers, and a variety of other kitchen equipment 
  • Assumes 100% responsibility for the quality of products served 
  • Knows and complies consistently with our standard portion sizes, cooking methods, quality standards, kitchen rules, policies, and procedures
  • Stocks and maintains sufficient levels of food products at line stations to assure a smooth service period 
  • Portions food products prior to cooking according to standard portion sizes and recipe specifications. Properly labeled and day dotted for proper rotation
  • Maintains a clean and sanitary work station area including tables, shelves, grills, broilers, fryers, pasta cookers, sauté burners, convection oven, flat top range, and refrigeration equipment  
  • Prepares item for broiling, grilling, frying, sautéing, or other cooking methods by portioning, seasoning, and/or marinating 
  • Follows proper plate presentation and garnish set up for all dishes
  • Handles, stores, and rotates all products properly 
  • Assists in food prep assignments during off-peak periods as needed
  • Closes the kitchen properly and follows the closing checklist for kitchen stations. Assists others in closing the kitchen 
  • Attends all scheduled employee meetings and brings suggestions for improvement 
  • Performs other related duties as assigned by the kitchen manager or MOD
 
Qualifications: 
  • A minimum of 2 years experience in kitchen preparation and cooking
  • At least 6 months experience in a similar capacity  
  • Must be able to communicate clearly with managers, kitchen and dining room personnel 
  • Be able to reach, bend, stoop and frequently lift up to 40 pounds
  • Be able to work in a standing position for long periods of time (up to 9 hours)