Prep Cook

Indianapolis, IN, USA|

Job Overview

Compensation

Hourly

Range $13.00 - $16.00

Benefits

flexible schedules

Food discount

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k)

Paid Time Off

Job Description

Torchy’s Tacos is a renowned restaurant brand that originated in Austin, Texas in 2006. What started as a humble food trailer with an inspired executive chef has now blossomed into a nationwide restaurant chain known for its innovative tacos and commitment to high-quality ingredients. With its roots deeply embedded in Austin’s culinary culture, Torchy’s Tacos has gained a loyal following and is celebrated for delivering bold flavors with a unique twist. As a result, the company maintains a strong reputation as a fast-casual dining destination that prioritizes flavor, freshness, and exceptional customer experiences.

Torchy’s Tacos is currently seeking dedicated individuals to join their team as Prep Cooks, with a particular focus on tortilla preparation. This is an hourly position paying between $13.00 and $16.00, with compensation based on experience and eligibility for pooled tips that enhance total take-home pay. The role is essential in ensuring that all food production adheres to Torchy’s stringent standards as outlined in their Taco Bible, guaranteeing consistency and quality across all locations.

As a Prep Cook/Tortilla Prep team member at Torchy’s Tacos, you will be responsible for producing a variety of food items daily in accordance with the prep sheet while maintaining cleanliness, organization, and safety within the kitchen. This includes tasks such as setting up and breaking down your station, following recipes to the letter, and practicing proper food safety standards like HACCP and FIFO inventory management. Additionally, a significant portion of your responsibilities will involve masa production and pressing corn tortillas, as well as preparing and cooking flour tortillas to meet the company’s quality specifications.

The role demands a strong attention to detail, a commitment to food safety certifications, and physical stamina, including the ability to lift up to 40 lbs. The candidate will also need basic skills in knife safety, communication, and multitasking, and prior kitchen experience is a plus though not mandatory. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and must meet state and local food handler certification requirements by their start date or within the specified timeline.

Working at Torchy’s Tacos offers team members flexible scheduling options, a generous food discount for employees and their spouses, and access to comprehensive benefit programs including medical, dental, and vision coverage for full-time employees after one year of service. Additionally, 401(k) retirement benefits become available after six months, and paid time off is granted after one year. The company also supports its staff during times of need through its Torchy’s Family Foundation, showcasing its dedication to fostering a supportive team environment.

If you are passionate about food preparation, eager to work with a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment, and committed to upholding high culinary standards, the Prep Cook position at Torchy’s Tacos could be the perfect fit for you. This role provides an opportunity to develop essential kitchen skills, contribute to the success of a rapidly expanding restaurant chain, and enjoy competitive pay along with meaningful benefits.

Job Requirements

Must meet state and local requirements for Food Handler’s certification
Certification(s) must be obtained by your first day or within the timeline required by your location
Must be 18 years of age
Ability to lift a minimum of 40 lbs
Basic knife safety skills
Basic communication and reading skills
Ability to multi-task

Job Qualifications

Must meet state and local requirements for Food Handler’s certification
Certification(s) must be obtained by your first day or within the timeline required by your location
Familiarity with kitchen equipment including fryer, char grill, flat top, stove, RoboCoups, immersion blender, dicers, mandolin, and scales
Ability to lift a minimum of 40 lbs
Basic knife safety
Basic communication and reading skills
Ability to multi-task
Kitchen experience is a plus
Must be 18 years of age

Job Duties

Produce food items listed on the prep sheet, ensuring each dish meets Torchy’s standards and follows recipes from the Taco Bible
Maintain a clean and organized kitchen, including the walk-in, and detail kitchen equipment daily
Properly set up and break down your station, ensuring readiness for the shift and cleanliness afterward
Use the Taco Bible to follow all recipes accurately, upholding Torchy’s food standards
Practice proper food safety and HACCP techniques, including FIFO (First In, First Out) to manage inventory
Record pre- and post-weights of food items, track yields for each recipe, and label, date, and fill pans correctly for all produced items
Rotate products as needed and assist with other duties outside of this job description as requested by management
Responsible for masa production and pressing corn tortillas using a tortilla press
Slack flour tortilla dough balls and ensure proper booking of both flour and corn tortillas
Use a flat top to cook tortillas to the correct specifications