Prep Cook

Mesa, AZ, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Part-time

Work Schedule

Flexible

Weekend Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Employee Discounts

Retirement Plan

Professional development opportunities

Uniform allowance

Job Description

Arizona Athletic Grounds (AAG), located in Mesa, AZ, stands as one of the nation’s premier youth sports and event complexes. Spanning over 275 acres, AAG is renowned for its vast array of athletic facilities including multiple fields, courts, stadiums, and performance venues. The center plays host to a dynamic schedule of high-profile sporting events ranging from professional soccer, basketball, volleyball, boxing, MMA, to baseball, softball, national pickleball tournaments, cheerleading, gymnastics showcases, and various special events and markets. This unique environment offers a vibrant, fast-paced atmosphere centered on sports excellence and community engagement.\n\nAs a member of the Food and Beverage team at Arizona Athletic Grounds, the Prep Cook role is crucial to ensuring all visitors and athletes experience exceptional culinary service throughout these exciting events. This position offers both full-time and part-time opportunities, primarily supporting kitchen operations at both indoor and outdoor concessions and event stands. Prep Cooks at AAG are responsible for a variety of vital culinary tasks including ingredient preparation, workstation organization, food assembly, inventory management, and sanitation compliance. Their work directly impacts the satisfaction and experience of thousands of guests attending events daily.\n\nThe Prep Cook role demands a detail-oriented, energetic individual capable of multitasking efficiently in a high-volume food service environment. During events, Prep Cooks prepare ingredients by washing, chopping, slicing, portioning, mixing, and labeling. They assist in cooking a wide range of menu items using various cooking methods like grilling, frying, steaming, and baking, all while maintaining strict food safety and hygiene standards. Maintaining cleanliness of the kitchen environment, properly handling and rotating food stocks, and operating kitchen equipment safely are also integral to daily responsibilities. Communication and teamwork are essential to coordinating with other kitchen staff and ensuring smooth kitchen operations during peak service hours.\n\nWorking at AAG offers exposure to a one-of-a-kind sports and entertainment environment where no two days are the same. The position requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays coinciding with scheduled events and game days. Physical stamina is necessary as the role involves standing for extended periods and lifting supplies or equipment weighing between 25 to 40 pounds. The ideal candidate demonstrates enthusiasm, reliability, and a commitment to AAG’s core values: Grit, Trust, Excellence, and Kaizen — which fosters continuous personal and professional development.\n\nArizona Athletic Grounds provides equal employment opportunities and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States and pass a criminal background check. Employment at AAG not only offers a rewarding role in a leading youth athletic facility but also a chance to be part of a dedicated team supporting community sports, entertainment, and healthy lifestyles.

Job Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Food handler certification may be required
Alcohol server certification may be required
Required availability to work varied shifts including evenings weekends and holidays
Ability to stoop kneel reach and bend
Energy and enthusiasm
Demonstrate AAG’s core values grit trust excellence and kaizen continuous self-development
Must be able to tolerate moderate to loud noise levels and busy environments
May work in high low temperature climates inside or outside at events at AAG
Walking standing for periods of time reaching kneeling pushing pulling lifting and bending
Requires ability to occasionally lift up to 20-40 lbs
Moving setting up taking down cleaning preparing and other physical activities related to sports and event setup

Job Qualifications

Previous food preparation and short-order cooking experience in concessions fast-casual or high-volume food service environment
Ability to work in a fast-paced setting while maintaining accuracy quality and food safety standards
Knowledge of safe food handling practices and compliance with health department regulations
Skill in operating kitchen equipment such as grills fryers ovens and warmers
Strong time management and multitasking abilities to handle multiple orders efficiently
Excellent communication and teamwork skills to coordinate with other kitchen and front-line staff
Flexibility to work evenings weekends and holidays often during peak event hours
Physical stamina to stand for extended periods and lift up to 25-40 lbs

Job Duties

Prepare ingredients and food items for service including washing chopping slicing portioning mixing and labeling products
Assist with preparing a wide variety of menu options for concessions food stands and event operations
Ensure ingredients and prepared food items are fresh properly stored and rotated
Follow recipes and food preparation guidelines including measuring weighing and mixing ingredients
Prepare food items using basic cooking methods including grilling frying steaming baking and heating as assigned
Assist with assembling garnishing packaging and presenting food items for service
Set up and stock workstations with required ingredients supplies and equipment
Maintain a clean organized and safe work area including utensils equipment prep surfaces and dishes
Handle label store and rotate ingredients and food products in accordance with food safety standards
Maintain food safety sanitation and cleanliness standards at all times
Clean and sanitize work areas kitchen equipment and utensils throughout shifts
Execute opening restocking and closing procedures for kitchen and prep areas
Check quality and freshness of ingredients and notify supervisors of shortages or concerns
Assist with monitoring inventory levels and restocking supplies as needed
Operate kitchen equipment such as ovens fryers grills slicers mixers warmers and prep equipment safely and properly
Adhere to safety health and environmental policies and procedures
Communicate effectively and professionally with team members and supervisors
Work locations may be inside or outside including concessions areas or food and beverage trailers
Support overall kitchen operations during busy event periods while maintaining quality and efficiency
Assist in additional duties and events as needed