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Prep Cook Jobs in Springfield, VA (NOW HIRING)

Prep Cook

Vienna, VA · On-site

$17/hr

Prep Cooks start at $17/hr or more based on experience! Do you love to cook in a scratch kitchen? Are you quick with your hands? Then you should apply for our Prep Cook position! Our prep cooks are ...

Prep Cook

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$17/hr

Prep Cooks start at $17/hr or more based on experience! Do you love to cook in a scratch kitchen? Are you quick with your hands? Then you should apply for our Prep Cook position! Our prep cooks are ...

Prep Cook

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

Opportunity for advancement Prep Cook Job Responsibilities: * Perform routine kitchen tasks. * Follow the prep list created to plan duties. * Label and stock all ingredients on shelves so they can be ...

Prep Cook

Springfield, VA · On-site

$17/hr

Prep Cooks start at $17/hr or more based on experience! Do you love to cook in a scratch kitchen? Are you quick with your hands? Then you should apply for our Prep Cook position! Our prep cooks are ...

Prep Cook

Sterling, VA · On-site

$17/hr

Prep Cooks start at $17/hr or more based on experience! Do you love to cook in a scratch kitchen? Are you quick with your hands? Then you should apply for our Prep Cook position! Our prep cooks are ...

Prep Cook

Arlington, VA · On-site

$17/hr

Prep Cooks start at $17/hr or more based on experience! Do you love to cook in a scratch kitchen? Are you quick with your hands? Then you should apply for our Prep Cook position! Our prep cooks are ...

Prep Cook

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$17/hr

Prep Cooks start at $17/hr or more based on experience! Do you love to cook in a scratch kitchen? Are you quick with your hands? Then you should apply for our Prep Cook position! Our prep cooks are ...

Prep Cook

Annandale, VA · On-site

$17/hr

Prep Cooks start at $17/hr or more based on experience! Do you love to cook in a scratch kitchen? Are you quick with your hands? Then you should apply for our Prep Cook position! Our prep cooks are ...

Clyde's Willow Creek Farm restaurant in Ashburn, VA is hiring Prep Cooks! It is located in a restored 18th-century farm and is a great place to cook and work. You'll work with a team that cares about ...

Prep Cook

Washington, DC

$18.40 - $33.25/hr

A Prep Cook will stock the alley and line with items needed to complete orders on time while ensuring proper food safety and sanitation standards are upheld for guest safety. One key to our success ...

Prep Cook

Reston, VA · On-site

$12.77 - $20.25/hr

A Prep Cook will stock the alley and line with items needed to complete orders on time while ensuring proper food safety and sanitation standards are upheld for guest safety. One key to our success ...

Prep Cook

Reston, VA

$12.77 - $20.25/hr

A Prep Cook will stock the alley and line with items needed to complete orders on time while ensuring proper food safety and sanitation standards are upheld for guest safety. One key to our success ...

Prep Cook

Washington, DC

$18.40 - $33.25/hr

A Prep Cook will stock the alley and line with items needed to complete orders on time while ensuring proper food safety and sanitation standards are upheld for guest safety. One key to our success ...

Prep Cook

Reston, VA

$12.77 - $20.25/hr

A Prep Cook will stock the alley and line with items needed to complete orders on time while ensuring proper food safety and sanitation standards are upheld for guest safety. One key to our success ...

Prep Cook

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$19 - $23/hr

What you'll do as a Prep Cook: * Prepare ingredients and food items according to bartaco's recipes and quality standards * Keep the kitchen stocked with fresh, high-quality ingredients for service ...

What you'll do as a Prep Cook: * Prepare ingredients and food items according to bartaco's recipes and quality standards * Keep the kitchen stocked with fresh, high-quality ingredients for service ...

Prep Cook

Reston, VA · On-site

$12.77 - $20.25/hr

A Prep Cook will stock the alley and line with items needed to complete orders on time while ensuring proper food safety and sanitation standards are upheld for guest safety One key to our success is ...

Prep Cook

Washington, DC

$18.40 - $33.25/hr

A Prep Cook will stock the alley and line with items needed to complete orders on time while ensuring proper food safety and sanitation standards are upheld for guest safety One key to our success is ...

Prep Cook

Washington, DC · On-site

$18.40 - $33.25/hr

A Prep Cook will stock the alley and line with items needed to complete orders on time while ensuring proper food safety and sanitation standards are upheld for guest safety. One key to our success ...

Prep Cook

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$19 - $23/hr

What you'll do as a Prep Cook: * Prepare ingredients and food items according to bartaco's recipes and quality standards * Keep the kitchen stocked with fresh, high-quality ingredients for service ...

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Prep Cook information

See Springfield, VA salary details

$9

$16

$21

How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Springfield, VA is $16.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.33 and $18.08 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.
What cities near Springfield, VA are hiring for Prep Cook jobs? Cities near Springfield, VA with the most Prep Cook job openings:
Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Springfield, VA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, and 30% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,081 per year, or $16.4 per hour.
Prep Cook

$17/hr

Part-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Great American Restaurants has an award-winning collection of 14 restaurants, 3 artisan bakeries and a BBQ spot in Northern Virginia and Maryland offering fantastic cuisine and plenty of fun. We have been named a Top Workplace by The Washington Post, consistently ranking in the top employers in the area for more than 10 years. The dedication of our people is what sets our company apart, offering the best hospitality to our guests and each other every day.

Prep Cooks start at $17/hr or more based on experience!

Do you love to cook in a scratch kitchen? Are you quick with your hands? Then you should apply for our Prep Cook position! Our prep cooks are dedicated professionals who work as a team to guarantee our guests become raving fans. They know that Food is Fun and put extra love into every recipe!

Skills necessary include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Able to multitask
  • Cool and calm under pressure
  • Clean and organized
  • Thriving on a team
  • Flexibility
  • Work with a sense of urgency 100%

We believe that happy people make happy food. You’ll have a package of benefits:

  • Opportunity for growth
  • Great pay in a fast-paced setting (and paid training)
  • Employee food discount
  • Health insurance, PTO, and 401K based on eligibility

Great American Restaurants owns and operates 14 high volume restaurants, 3 artisan bakeries, and a BBQ spot in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Our locations include: Patsy’s American – Randy’s Prime Seafood & Steaks – Ozzie’s Good Eats – Jackson’s – Artie’s – Carlyle – Mike’s American – Silverado – Best Buns – Coastal Flats – Sweetwater Tavern – Stupid Good BBQ