Guide to Your Prep Cook Career
This guide is written for both seasoned Prep Cooks as well as entry-level Prep Cooks who are looking forward to starting a new career.
To make it easier for both experienced and inexperienced Prep Cooks to advance in their careers, we’ve focused on some of the most important aspects of this essential role. These aspects include the main responsibilities, required skills and salary expectations.
What Is a Prep Cook?
Prep Cook is a member of the back-of-house staff in charge of preparing all the ingredients for Chefs and the Head Chef in the kitchen. Sometimes, Prep Cooks can also be in charge of inventory management, plating dishes and keeping the counters sanitized.
Prep Cooks can also be referred to as Commis, which is French for “assistant”. Apart from that, depending on the workplace, some employers might call them Kitchen Assistants, Kitchen Helpers, Culinary Trainees and Kitchen Apprentices.
In most cases, people seem to confuse Prep Cooks with Lines Cooks. However, those job positions aren’t used interchangeably. Prep Cooks differentiate from Line Cooks in a couple of aspects, including skill, responsibilities, and salary.
Similarly, Prep Cooks can sometimes be called Sous Chefs. Even though they might advance in their career and become a Sous Chef one day, this comparison is not accurate. Sous Chefs serve as the Head Chef’s right hand and are second in the chain of command, unlike Prep Cooks who are considered beginners in the kitchen hierarchy.
What Do Prep Cooks Do?
Ultimately, Prep Cooks are an essential part of the kitchen staff as they prepare the ingredients that Chefs use to cook food for the guests. To make sure everything is running smoothly, Prep Cooks are responsible for:
- Washing, cutting and peeling fruits and vegetables
- Measuring and portioning ingredients
- Safely storing and labeling items
- Using the FIFO method to ensure all ingredients are used fresh
- Keeping track of inventory
- Monitoring the quality of food
- Meticulously following recipes outlined by the Head Chef
- Strictly adhering to the food safety regulation guidelines
- Keeping the working stations clean and clutter-free
- Assisting in preparing and plating dishes for customers
- Emptying garbage containers
- Effectively communicating with the team
- Actively participating in training sessions
Top 5 Skills for Prep Cooks
Becoming a great Prep Cook takes time. You want to gain knowledge and also a lot of experience at work. In order to truly excel in the role, here are the top five skills every Cook should possess.
- Advanced knife skills: Professional Chefs must have excellent knife skills. To start practicing the advanced cutting techniques, make sure to go through our article that outlines and compares the best knives for Chefs on the market.
- Ingredients knowledge and usage: As you will be handling ingredients throughout your shift, it’s expected that you gain in-depth knowledge of some of the best ways to combine food with spices and seasonings.
- Excellent time management skills: It’s important that your time management skills are on point when you’re working during peak hours in a busy kitchen.
- Team collaboration & communication: Kitchen can be loud and hectic. To get everyone on the same page, you should be able to communicate assertively.
- Adaptability in the kitchen: Things will go wrong in the kitchen more often than you think. That’s why it’s crucial for Prep Cooks to be quick on their feet.
How To Start a Prep Cook Career
While some establishments don’t require any particular experience in this role, other restaurants might inquire about your experience with Prep Cook training programs. If you’re looking to advance in your career as a Prep Cook, you have three options:
Learn on the job
Learning on the job is one of the most effective ways to build your skills as a Prep Cook. Start by seeking out entry-level positions in kitchens, volunteering or taking short courses to gain foundational knowledge.
This way, you’ll increase your chances of being considered for the role and be better prepared to learn and grow on the job.
Work on your Prep Cook skills
If you’re serious about pursuing a career in cooking, dedicate time to improving your Prep Cook skills. Building a strong skill set will not only boost your confidence but also prepare you for the challenges ahead in your culinary career.
The simplest way to do this is research renowned Chefs and study their techniques. Apply what you learn in your own kitchen, whether through practice, trying new recipes or experimenting with different cooking methods.
For example, in this video, you’ll go through essential skills every Prep Cook should master. In this episode, British celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay demonstrates how to chop an onion, sharpen a knife and more.
Attend lessons in a culinary school
The good thing about attending culinary school is that you can do it both online and offline. Schools offer a structured schedule and they tend to cover the most important aspects of cooking.
Plus, some employers might ask for a certificate of completion, which, in that case, will significantly increase your chances of landing a Prep Cook job.
Below is a table of the best culinary courses for beginners:
| Name of Institution | Location | Recommended Course/Program for Beginners |
| Culinary Institute of America | Hyde Park, NY | Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts |
| Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts | Boulder, CO | Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts |
| Johnson & Wales University | Providence, RI | Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts |
| The Culinary Institute of Virginia | Norfolk, VA | Culinary Arts Associate Degree |
| Institute of Culinary Education | New York, NY | Culinary Arts Diploma |
| City College of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | Culinary Arts Certificate or Associate Degree |
| Cambridge School of Culinary Arts | Online | Online Professional Chef Certificate |
| Rouxbe Online Culinary School | Online | Professional Cook Certification Program |
Is a Career of a Prep Cook the Right Job for You?
See if you have what it takes to be a Prep Cook by taking our quiz below:
Results
#1. Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment?
#2. Are you comfortable working early mornings, late nights or weekends?
#3. Do you have a passion for cooking and food preparation?
#4. Are you able to handle repetitive tasks efficiently?
#5. Do you work well under pressure and tight deadlines?
#6. Are you okay with standing for long periods during your shift?
#7. Do you have experience or training in food safety and hygiene?
#8. Are you able to work collaboratively with a team?
#9. Are you open to learning new cooking techniques and improving your skills?
#10. Do you handle criticism and feedback well?
Prep Cook Salary and Earnings Potential
On average, a Prep Cook earns $32,427 per year in the United States. However, there are numerous factors that directly impact a Prep Cook’s salary. For those who are looking to advance in their career, some of the best states to work in as a Prep Cook are Washington, California and New York.
Specifically, New York is a well-known culinary capital where Prep Cooks can find work in some of the most attractive hospitality branches in the world.
On the other hand, some states in the U.S. face significant financial challenges and don’t enjoy the same economic advantages. This leads to lower wages overall, with Prep Cooks making significantly less money in states like Mississippi or West Virginia.
[Calculated using Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, Talent.com, Salary.com and Indeed data]
This map is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
Prep Cook Career Progression
Prep Cooks typically stay in their role for a couple of years before moving up. Those who are constantly improving their industry-specific knowledge as well as practical and verbal skills have a good chance of advancing and landing a more influential role such as an Executive Chef.
Prep Cook
Line Cook
$33,829
Pantry Chef
$39,123
Sous Chef
$56,013
Executive Chef
$80,040
Line Cook Supervisor
$40,779
Head Cook
$48,230
Assistant Kitchen Manager
52,000
Kitchen Manager
60,460
Prep Cook Career FAQs
To become a Prep Cook in the United States, you usually need to be at least 18 years old. However, some employers might hire individuals as young as 16, though there are certain restrictions for younger workers.
Since age requirements can differ by state and employer, it’s a good idea to check your local regulations on child labor laws to make sure you meet the requirements.
Generally, you don’t need prior experience to start as a Prep Cook. Many employers are willing to train new hires.
However, it’s beneficial to prepare for the interview by reviewing common questions and practicing your responses. This preparation can help you make a strong impression and show that you’re ready to learn and contribute to the team.
The atmosphere in the kitchen is often extremely busy and loud. This means that Prep Cooks must be assertive communicators to keep everyone on the same page. To make their job easier, Prep Cooks also often comes up with kitchen organization hacks to ensure everything is going smoothly, even on the busiest days.