Prep Cook

Torchy’s Tacos is a popular restaurant chain that originated in Austin, Texas, in 2006. Known for its creative and flavorful tacos, Torchy’s has grown from a humble food trailer into a widespread restaurant brand operating across numerous locations nationwide. The company prides itself on delivering high-quality food with a unique twist, creating an inviting atmosphere for taco lovers and food enthusiasts alike. Torchy’s legacy stems from the vision and dedication of its executive chef who established strict culinary standards and innovative recipes, often referred to as the 'Taco Bible,' which ensures consistency and excellence in every dish served. This beloved establishment is not just about delicious meals; it’s a community where team members and customers alike feel a strong sense of belonging. Torchy’s culture emphasizes teamwork, quality, and passion for great food, which contributes to its ongoing success and expansion.

The role of Prep Cook/Tortilla Prep at Torchy’s is an essential position within the kitchen team responsible for preparing food items that align with the company’s standards and recipes. The position offers a competitive hourly wage ranging from $13 to $15 per hour, based on experience, plus pooled tips that increase total take-home pay. This is a dynamic, entry-level opportunity ideal for individuals passionate about culinary work and teamwork. The Prep Cook plays a crucial role in ensuring that all food items listed on the daily prep sheet are produced with quality and attention to detail. Responsibilities include preparing ingredients, following recipes closely from the Taco Bible, maintaining cleanliness and organization within the kitchen, and managing the setup and breakdown of workstations.

In addition to general food preparation duties, this role specializes in tortilla preparation, which involves masa production, pressing corn tortillas using traditional equipment, working with flour tortilla dough, and cooking tortillas to the correct specifications using specialized kitchen tools. The position requires physical stamina, including the ability to lift at least 40 pounds and the skill to safely handle kitchen equipment such as fryers, char grills, flat tops, immersion blenders, and more.

Torchy’s values food safety and hygiene, requiring compliance with state and local food handler certification standards and the practice of proper HACCP techniques including inventory rotation (FIFO). The position also involves documentation duties such as recording food weights, yields, and proper labeling of prepared items. Torchy’s offers flexible schedules, a generous discount on food for employees and their spouses, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plans for full-time team members after specific periods of employment, and paid time off after one year. Additionally, the company supports its team through the Torchy’s Family Foundation, which assists employees during times of need or crisis, reflecting the company’s commitment to its team members beyond the workplace.