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.

1. Advanced knife skills: Professional Chefs must have excellent knife skills.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Team collaboration & communication: Kitchen can be loud and hectic. To get everyone on the same page, you should be able to communicate assertively.
5. 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:

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.

Prep Cook Career Progression