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Prep Cook Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Carlyle

Prep Cook

Arlington, VA · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Sweetwater Tavern Sterling

Prep Cook

Sterling, VA · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Ozzie's Good Eats

Prep Cook

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Jackson's

Prep Cook

Reston, VA · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Texas Roadhouse

Prep Cook

Columbia, MD · On-site

$14.25 - $17.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

As a Prep Cook your responsibilities would include: * Reading a prep sheet * Following Texas Roadhouse legendary recipes * Keeping the walk-in refrigerator clean and organized * Maintaining and using ...

Best Buns Falls Church

Prep Cook

Falls Church, VA · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Sweetwater Tavern Merrifield

Prep Cook

Falls Church, VA · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Silverado

Prep Cook

Annandale, VA · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Coastal Flats Fairfax

Prep Cook

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Artie's

Prep Cook

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Della J's

Prep Cook

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

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 ...

Clyde's Restaurant Group

Prep Cook

Reston, VA · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

WHY JOIN THE CLYDE'S TEAM AS A PREP COOK * Competitive Pay: Earn compensation for your skills and dedication. * Stable Company: Join a respected, stable organization. * Flexible Schedule: Part-time, ...

Mike's American

Prep Cook

Springfield, VA · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Sweetwater Tavern Centreville

Prep Cook

Centreville, VA · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Texas Roadhouse

Prep Cook

Columbia, MD · On-site

$14.25 - $18/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

As a Prep Cook your responsibilities would include: * Reading a prep sheet * Following Texas Roadhouse legendary recipes * Keeping the walk-in refrigerator clean and organized * Maintaining and using ...

Bubba's 33

Prep Cook

Glen Burnie, MD

$15 - $18/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

As a Prep Cook your responsibilities would include: * Reading a prep sheet * Following Bubba's 33 legendary recipes * Keeping the walk-in refrigerator clean and organized * Maintaining and using ...

Texas Roadhouse

Prep Cook

Glen Burnie, MD · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

As a Prep Cook your responsibilities would include: * Reading a prep sheet * Following Bubba's 33 legendary recipes * Keeping the walk-in refrigerator clean and organized * Maintaining and using ...

Carrabba's Italian Grill

Prep Cook

Ellicott City, MD · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

As a Prep Cook, you will be committed to safe food handling, cleanliness, and sanitation standards while preparing food with proper safety equipment, tools, and recipe specifications. Prep Cook ...

Texas Roadhouse

Prep Cook

Manassas, VA · On-site

$16 - $23/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

As a Prep Cook your responsibilities would include: * Reading a prep sheet * Following Texas Roadhouse legendary recipes * Keeping the walk-in refrigerator clean and organized * Maintaining and using ...

Texas Roadhouse

Prep Cook

Manassas, VA · On-site

$16 - $23/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

As a Prep Cook your responsibilities would include: * Reading a prep sheet * Following Texas Roadhouse legendary recipes * Keeping the walk-in refrigerator clean and organized * Maintaining and using ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsPrep Cook JobsPrep Cook Jobs in Washington, DC

Prep Cook information

See Washington, DC salary details

$10

$17

$23

How much do prep cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for prep cook in Washington, DC is $17.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.53 and $19.66 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.

How to get a job as a prep cook?

To get a job as a prep cook, you should gain basic cooking skills, knowledge of food safety and sanitation, and experience in a kitchen environment. Many employers look for previous kitchen work, a high school diploma or equivalent, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced setting. Applying to entry-level restaurant or catering positions and demonstrating reliability can improve your chances of securing a prep cook role.

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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Prep Cook jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Prep Cook jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Prep Cook jobs in Washington, DC? For Prep Cook jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prep Cook jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Prep Cook jobs in Washington, DC are:
What cities near Washington, DC are hiring for Prep Cook jobs? Cities near Washington, DC with the most Prep Cook job openings:
Prep Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prep Cook job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, and 29% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $37,025 per year, or $17.8 per hour.

Prep Cook

Carlyle

Arlington, VA • On-site

$17/hr

Part-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 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

Apply