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Prep Cook Jobs in Sumter, SC (NOW HIRING)

CAVA

Grill Cook

Columbia, SC

$13.25 - $17/hr

Team Member | Cook | Prep Cook | Grill Cook | Prep Crew | Line Cook | Customer Service | Restaurant | Part Time | Full Time | Team Member

Old Chicago - Hourly

Cook

Columbia, SC · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

LINE COOKS, PREP COOKS & PIZZA COOKS * Part-time or full-time hours at a highly competitive rate of pay. * Comprehensive benefits program offered to all team members - including medical, dental ...

Chick-Fil-A

Kitchen Prep Area

Camden, SC · On-site

$10 - $15/hr

DESCRIPTION Kitchen Prep Team Member - Chick-fil-A At Chick-fil-A, being a Kitchen Prep Team Member is more than just a job-it's an opportunity to develop valuable skills while working in a fast ...

Old Chicago - Hourly

Line Cook

Columbia, SC · On-site

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

LINE COOKS, PREP COOKS & PIZZA COOKS * Part-time or full-time hours at a highly competitive rate of pay. * Comprehensive benefits program offered to all team members - including medical, dental ...

The Lantern Columbia

Line Cook

Columbia, SC

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

The Ladder 13 Line Cook is responsible for prep, cooking by adhering to recipe and presentation standards, cleaning, and meeting health department guidelines. A little about Raines and The Lantern ...

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Prep Cook information

See Sumter, SC salary details

$8

$13

$18

How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Sumter, SC is $13.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.21 and $15.43 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.
More about Prep Cook jobs
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What cities near Sumter, SC are hiring for Prep Cook jobs? Cities near Sumter, SC with the most Prep Cook job openings:
Prep Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Sumter, SC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, and 36% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $29,058 per year, or $14 per hour.
Grouchos Food Prep Worker - University of South Carolina

Grouchos Food Prep Worker - University of South Carolina

Aramark

Columbia, SC • On-site

$13.25 - $16.75/hr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Aramark rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 1,245 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

361st of 451 rated business services

Job description

Job Description

The Food Prep Worker prepares, and portions food items and performs various duties in accordance with production requirements and Aramark sanitation standards. Uses daily worksheets and standardized recipes to cook meals.

Job Responsibilities
  • Prepares all food items using prep lists and standard Aramark recipes.
  • Follows proper food handling procedures.
  • Maintains accurate rotation of food to assure top quality and freshness.
  • Manages leftover foods correctly; cover, label, date, and accurately store according to Aramark standards.
  • Maintains clean and orderly refrigerators and work areas.
  • Ensures stations are cleaned, sanitized, and organized at the end of the shift (including cleaning of kitchen equipment).
  • Maintains a safe and sanitary work environment that conforms to all food safety standards and regulations.
  • Follows safety policies and accident reporting procedures.
  • Completes all required training.
     

At Aramark, developing new skills and doing what it takes to get the job done make a positive impact for our employees and for our customers. In order to meet our commitments, job duties may change or new ones may be assigned without formal notice.

Qualifications
  • Minimum one-year prep work or food service-related work preferred.
  • Knowledge of food prep, proper knife handling, temperature control, and sanitation is helpful.
  • Must be able to read and write to facilitate communication with others.
  • Demonstrates basic math and counting skills
     

This role may have physical demands including, but not limited to, lifting, bending, pushing, pulling and/or extended walking and standing. This role may also require uniforms and/or usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 

Education
About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

What Aramark employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Aramark logo

About Aramark

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food, facilities, and uniform services in 19 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Industry

Hospitality services and facilities support services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Philadelphia, PA, US

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