Prep Cook

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is a renowned, innovative restaurant brand that has been delighting guests for over 35 years with its unique California-inspired cuisine. Known for its creative approach to casual dining, CPK prides itself on a culture that rocks, rooted in its R.O.C.K.S philosophy, which stands for Respect, Opportunities, open Communication, Kindness, and Service. This framework creates an engaging, supportive, and dynamic workplace environment where team members are empowered to grow both personally and professionally. As a company, CPK is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every employee feels valued and has a voice at the table. With a wide presence in the casual dining sector, they continue to innovate menu offerings while upholding high standards of food quality and exceptional guest service.

The role of a Prep Cook at California Pizza Kitchen is an exciting entry-level position offering a perfect blend of hands-on culinary experience and teamwork in a lively setting. Prep Cooks are instrumental in maintaining the highest standards for food quality and sanitation across all kitchen operations. This position requires a passion for food, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment. Prep Cooks play a critical role in supporting the kitchen team by following specific recipes, procedures, specifications, and techniques that ensure consistent quality for all menu items. The role involves assisting with receiving deliveries, managing daily inventory of prepared foods, and ensuring proper storage and rotation of ingredients to meet health and safety standards. CPK emphasizes safe and sanitary handling of all kitchen equipment and food contact surfaces, highlighting the importance of cleanliness and safety practices for both team and guest well-being.

CPK offers competitive compensation for the Prep Cook position, with a current pay range of $16.90 to $18.90 per hour, reflecting the company’s commitment to rewarding talent and hard work. Both full-time and part-time opportunities are available, providing flexibility for team members to balance their work and personal lives. Additionally, Prep Cooks benefit from a comprehensive training program designed to help new employees quickly develop the skills needed to succeed in the role and beyond. The company encourages career advancement, offering unlimited growth opportunities within the organization, so team members can envision a long-term trajectory in the culinary and hospitality industry.

California Pizza Kitchen’s culture is built around a series of core values exemplified by their CPK High 5, which fosters an atmosphere of collaboration, enthusiasm, and commitment to excellence. Team members are expected to embrace their authentic selves, support one another, and deliver passionate service that makes each dining experience memorable. The company also demonstrates a strong commitment to work-life balance by providing flexible shifts and holiday closures, ensuring that employees enjoy meaningful time off. Further benefits include health, dental, and disability insurance options, 401K savings plans, and dining discounts, all of which contribute to a supportive and rewarding workplace.