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Restaurant Cook Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Perkins Restaurant and Bakery

Restaurant Cook

Bemidji, MN · On-site

$13 - $15/hr

At Perkins Restaurant & Bakery our employees are part of the Perkins extended family and the ... Prepares Cooking Items * Reports to work well-groomed, in clean and proper uniform and at all times ...

Perkins Restaurant and Bakery

Restaurant Cook

Marshall, MN · On-site

$16 - $20/hr

Vision insurance At Perkins Restaurant & Bakery our employees are part of the Perkins extended ... Prepares Cooking Items * Reports to work well-groomed, in clean and proper uniform and at all times ...

Perkins Restaurant and Bakery

Restaurant Cook

Bemidji, MN · On-site

$13 - $15/hr

At Perkins Restaurant & Bakery our employees are part of the Perkins extended family and the ... Prepares Cooking Items * Reports to work well-groomed, in clean and proper uniform and at all times ...

Leisure Hotels & Resorts

Restaurant Cook

Hastings, MN

$18 - $21/hr

Description Restaurant Cook - Confluence Hotel in Historic Downtown Hastings Join our vibrant team at a charming boutique hotel located in the heart of historic downtown Hastings. We are seeking a ...

Leisure Hotels and Resorts

Restaurant Cook

Hastings, MN · On-site

$12.25 - $15.75/hr

Restaurant Cook - Confluence Hotel in Historic Downtown Hastings Join our vibrant team at a charming boutique hotel located in the heart of historic downtown Hastings. We are seeking a talented and ...

The Confluence Hotel

Restaurant Cook

Hastings, MN · On-site

$18 - $21/hr

Restaurant Cook - Confluence Hotel in Historic Downtown Hastings Join our vibrant team at a charming boutique hotel located in the heart of historic downtown Hastings. We are seeking a talented and ...

CMP Foods Inc

Restaurant Cook

Austin, MN · On-site

$11.75 - $15/hr

Cook If you like working with a fun team, love our queso, have a great personality & enjoy interacting with customers, then come and talk to us about joining the QDOBA family! QDOBA is now hiring ...

CMP Foods Inc

Restaurant Cook

Rochester, MN

$11.75 - $15.25/hr

Cook If you like working with a fun team, love our queso, have a great personality & enjoy interacting with customers, then come and talk to us about joining the QDOBA family! QDOBA is now hiring ...

CMP Foods Inc

Restaurant Cook

Hutchinson, MN

$12.25 - $15.75/hr

Cook If you like working with a fun team, love our queso, have a great personality & enjoy interacting with customers, then come and talk to us about joining the QDOBA family! QDOBA is now hiring ...

CMP Foods Inc

Restaurant Cook

Hutchinson, MN · On-site

$12.25 - $15.75/hr

Cook If you like working with a fun team, love our queso, have a great personality & enjoy interacting with customers, then come and talk to us about joining the QDOBA family! QDOBA is now hiring ...

CMP Foods Inc

Restaurant Cook

Rochester, MN

$11 - $14.25/hr

Cook If you like working with a fun team, love our queso, have a great personality & enjoy interacting with customers, then come and talk to us about joining the QDOBA family! QDOBA is now hiring ...

CMP Foods Inc

Restaurant Cook

Saint Cloud, MN · On-site

$12 - $15.25/hr

Cook If you like working with a fun team, love our queso, have a great personality & enjoy interacting with customers, then come and talk to us about joining the QDOBA family! QDOBA is now hiring ...

CMP Foods Inc

Restaurant Cook

Austin, MN · On-site

$11.75 - $15/hr

Cook If you like working with a fun team, love our queso, have a great personality & enjoy interacting with customers, then come and talk to us about joining the QDOBA family! QDOBA is now hiring ...

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Restaurant Cook information

See Minnesota salary details

$8

$12

$16

How much do restaurant cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for restaurant cook in Minnesota is $12.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.30 and $14.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by restaurant cooks, and how can they be managed effectively?

Restaurant cooks often face challenges such as working under time pressure, managing multiple orders simultaneously, and maintaining consistency in food quality. Effective communication with kitchen staff and front-of-house teams is essential to keep operations running smoothly. Staying organized, preparing ingredients ahead of busy shifts, and practicing good time management can help cooks navigate these challenges and ensure a positive dining experience for customers.

What does a cook do in a restaurant?

A restaurant cook prepares food according to recipes and menu specifications, ensuring quality and safety standards are met. They handle tasks such as chopping, cooking, plating, and cleaning, often working in a fast-paced environment and using kitchen tools and equipment. Cooks may specialize in specific areas like grilling, baking, or sautéing and typically follow health and safety regulations.

How to be a cook at a restaurant?

To become a restaurant cook, you typically need to gain cooking skills through training or experience, understand food safety and sanitation standards, and often obtain relevant certifications such as a food handler's permit. Many cooks start in entry-level kitchen positions and develop their skills over time, working in a fast-paced environment and following recipes and instructions from chefs or kitchen managers.

What is the highest paying job for a cook?

The highest paying roles for cooks typically include executive chefs, head chefs, or culinary directors in high-end restaurants or hotel kitchens, with salaries reaching six figures. These positions often require extensive experience, advanced culinary skills, and management responsibilities. Specialized cuisines or working in luxury establishments can also increase earning potential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Restaurant Cook, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Restaurant Cook, you need solid culinary skills, knowledge of food safety standards, and often a high school diploma or culinary certification. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, point-of-sale systems, and food handling certifications like ServSafe are typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure are key soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure consistent food quality, safe kitchen practices, and smooth kitchen operations in a fast-paced environment.

Can I get paid to cook at home?

Restaurant cooks typically work in commercial kitchens and are paid for preparing food professionally. Cooking at home is usually a personal activity and does not generate income unless you sell prepared food legally, which may require permits or certifications. Therefore, being paid specifically to cook at home is uncommon unless you start a food business or offer catering services legally.

What does a restaurant cook do?

A restaurant cook is responsible for preparing and cooking food according to the restaurant's recipes and standards. They handle tasks such as chopping ingredients, operating kitchen equipment, and ensuring food safety and cleanliness. Cooks may also help with menu planning, inventory management, and plating dishes before they are served to customers. Their role is essential in delivering quality meals and maintaining the overall efficiency of the kitchen.

What is the difference between Restaurant Cook vs Line Cook?

AspectRestaurant CookLine Cook
CredentialsFood safety certification often requiredFood safety certification often required
Work EnvironmentKitchen of a restaurant, preparing various dishesKitchen of a restaurant, focusing on specific station
Job RolePrepares a variety of menu items, may oversee other cooksPrepares specific dishes or stations during service
Industry UsageCommonly used in restaurants, hotels, cateringCommonly used in restaurants, especially during busy hours

Both Restaurant Cooks and Line Cooks work in restaurant kitchens and often share similar certifications. However, Restaurant Cooks typically have broader responsibilities, preparing a variety of dishes and sometimes supervising staff, while Line Cooks focus on specific stations during service. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are popular job titles related to Restaurant Cook jobs in Minnesota? For Restaurant Cook jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Restaurant Cook jobs in Minnesota look for? The top searched job categories for Restaurant Cook jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Restaurant Cook jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Restaurant Cook job openings:
Restaurant Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Restaurant Cook job openings in Minnesota as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, and 23% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $27,029 per year, or $13 per hour.
Restaurant Cook

Restaurant Cook

Perkins Restaurant and Bakery

Worthington, MN • On-site

$13 - $16/hr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery rating

4.9

Company rating: 4.9 out of 10

Based on 135 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

78th of 87 rated restaurants

Job description

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
Enjoy top pay of $11-$16/hr DOQ. 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: $13.00 - $16.00 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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