Prep Cook Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the job description of a prep cook, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they typically perform.

What Does A Prep Cook Do?

A prep cook is someone that assists the cook in preparing and serving of items on the menu.

The prep cook job description involves various kitchen tasks like general cleaning, dish washing, and storing of food and other items in their proper positions.

A prep cook is also the one to ensure that ingredients are up to specifications.

After a meal has ended, he/she is responsible for clearing all foods from the serving line.

A prep cook’s role also includes cleaning and sanitizing equipment used for cooking, the surface areas for working, and the whole area around the kitchen.

He or she is expected to ensure proper personal hygiene standards and safety regulations.

This position does not require any formal training at all, however, for anyone who intends to progress to a higher level of cook, training from a vocational school or a culinary art school is very important.

From the prep cook position, with well-developed skills, you can progress to a higher position as sous chef.

As much as it does not require a formal education to work as a prep cook, it also does not require any experience. The role only requires someone with skills and talent; and with the ability to survive in a kitchen.

This is one job that comes with a lot of serious sacrifices and preparation.

For anyone looking forward to developing a career in the chef train, this position is the first step to take, especially for those without an education.

For a chef, this may not be dream job, but it sure offers a great deal of opportunity to gain necessary experience and learn certain processes as you prepare for the big one in the chain of chef career.

This position requires one who has a lot of physical endurance and can withstand stressful conditions; and someone with a mental determination as it involves a lot of stress.

This position is considered as the building block of any kitchen; an integral position of the kitchen staff as they are always on the day to day and routine duties in the kitchen, performing a vital role for the overall success of the kitchen; while the chefs and cooks concentrate on turning out perfect meals.

They are expected to report first to the kitchen before any other cooks do to get all food items prepared for cooking by the chefs. They usually report to the head chef or any senior member of the kitchen staff.

Prep Cook Job Description Example/Sample/Template

Below is a job description example for the position of prep cook, listing the various important duties, tasks, and responsibilities of individuals holding the position in most firms:

• Ensure ingredients are properly kept at appropriate temperature
• Ensure availability and quality of ingredients at all times
• Clean work equipment, dishes, utensils, and work areas
• Prepare food stuff according to instructions from customer and supervisor order
• Package prepared foods to fit customer’s need
• Prepare for cooking process by cutting, washing, peeling, and cutting required foods
• Tender food to waiters/waitresses to serve up to customers
• Report damaged equipment and low supplies to supervisors
• Prepare dishes for plating
• Monitor with care the temperature of the cooking equipment and cooling rooms

Prep Cook Job Description for Resume

In preparing a resume for the role of prep cook, you will be required to complete the various sections of the resume with the right information.

The sample job description provided above has relevant information that can be adapted to making the work experience section of your resume. You only need to ensure that the duties and responsibilities highlighted in the job description conform to your actual work experience.

Prep Cook Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

The following are common skills and abilities employers usually require that applicants for the position of prep cook should possess to stand a chance of being called to an interview:

• Ability to pay attention to details and follow instructions from higher cooks
• Ability to integrate into a team; working as part of a team
• Ability to use hands effectively to perform various tasks
• High level of stamina: ability to work long hours on the feet
• Knowledge of how the kitchen works – equipment, tools and utensils
• Perfect mental coordination: Prep cooks need to have sharp mental coordination to prevent accidents in the kitchen since they work with sharp objects and operate pans and pots at high temperatures
• Excellent learning skills; ability to keep eyes and ears open in order to learn
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Passion for food preparation
• A great deal of endurance