Entry Level Prep Cook Jobs in Costa Mesa, CA

New Prep Cook Jobs with salaries & benefits from top venues every day

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Below you'll find 182 entry level Prep Cook jobs, ready and waiting for you to click "Apply Now".

Top Paying Entry Level Prep Cook Jobs in Costa Mesa, CA

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Prep Cook

at Beach City Deli & BBQ
1714 Clark Ave, Long Beach, CA 90815, USA|Onsite
Starting from $17.00

Starting from $17.00

Hourly

Hourly

Seasonal

Seasonal

Rotating Shifts

Rotating Shifts

Flexible

Flexible

Day Shifts

Day Shifts

Weekend Shifts

Weekend Shifts

Split Shifts

Split Shifts

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Free Meals

Free Meals

Flexible Schedule

Flexible Schedule

Prep Cook

at Olive Garden
Costa Mesa, CA, USA|Onsite
From $16.90 to $21.75

From $16.90 to $21.75

Hourly

Hourly

Part-time

Part-time

Hourly

Hourly

Flexible

Flexible

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

flexible schedules

flexible schedules

Free Employee Meal

Free Employee Meal

weekly pay

weekly pay

Anniversary pay

Anniversary pay

Paid sick leave

Paid sick leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Medical insurance

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance

ongoing training

ongoing training

discounts

discounts

401(k) savings plan

401(k) savings plan

Management career advancement opportunities

Management career advancement opportunities

Prep Cook

at Ruth's Chris
Irvine, CA, USA|Onsite
From $16.90 to $23.25

From $16.90 to $23.25

Hourly

Hourly

Part-time

Part-time

Hourly

Hourly

Standard Hours

Standard Hours

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Health Insurance

Health Insurance

401(k)

401(k)

Dining Discounts

Dining Discounts

Employee assistance program

Employee assistance program

training programs

training programs

Paid sick leave

Paid sick leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Referral program

Referral program

Prep Cook

at Olive Garden
Orange, CA, USA|Onsite
From $16.90 to $21.75

From $16.90 to $21.75

Hourly

Hourly

Part-time

Part-time

Hourly

Hourly

Flexible

Flexible

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

flexible schedules

flexible schedules

Free Employee Meal

Free Employee Meal

weekly pay

weekly pay

Anniversary pay

Anniversary pay

Paid sick leave

Paid sick leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Medical insurance

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance

ongoing training

ongoing training

discounts

discounts

401(k) savings plan

401(k) savings plan

Career advancement opportunities

Career advancement opportunities

Prep Cook

at Olive Garden
Cerritos, CA, USA|Onsite
From $16.90 to $21.75

From $16.90 to $21.75

Hourly

Hourly

Hourly

Hourly

Flexible

Flexible

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

flexible schedules

flexible schedules

Free Employee Meal

Free Employee Meal

weekly pay

weekly pay

Anniversary pay

Anniversary pay

Paid sick leave

Paid sick leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Medical insurance

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance

ongoing training

ongoing training

Employee Discounts

Employee Discounts

401(k) savings plan

401(k) savings plan

Management career advancement opportunities

Management career advancement opportunities

Prep Cook

at Olive Garden
Laguna Woods, CA, USA|Onsite
From $16.90 to $21.75

From $16.90 to $21.75

Hourly

Hourly

Part-time

Part-time

Hourly

Hourly

Flexible

Flexible

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

flexible schedules

flexible schedules

Free Employee Meal

Free Employee Meal

weekly pay

weekly pay

Anniversary pay

Anniversary pay

Paid sick leave

Paid sick leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Medical insurance

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance

ongoing training

ongoing training

discounts

discounts

401(k) Plan

401(k) Plan

Management career advancement opportunities

Management career advancement opportunities

Prep Cook

at Yard House
Santa Ana, CA, USA|Onsite
From $16.90 to $21.75

From $16.90 to $21.75

Hourly

Hourly

Part-time

Part-time

Hourly

Hourly

Flexible

Flexible

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

competitive pay

competitive pay

Flexible work schedules

Flexible work schedules

sick pay

sick pay

growth opportunities

growth opportunities

Health and Well-Being Benefits

Health and Well-Being Benefits

Prep Cook

at Seasons
Mission Viejo, CA, USA|
From $16.90 to $23.25

From $16.90 to $23.25

Hourly

Hourly

Hourly

Hourly

Flexible

Flexible

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Paid sick leave

Paid sick leave

flexible schedules

flexible schedules

health benefits

health benefits

Dining Discounts

Dining Discounts

Career advancement opportunities

Career advancement opportunities

competitive salary

competitive salary

weekly pay

weekly pay

Prep Cook

at Olive Garden
Huntington Beach, CA, USA|Onsite
From $16.90 to $21.75

From $16.90 to $21.75

Hourly

Hourly

Part-time

Part-time

Hourly

Hourly

Flexible

Flexible

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

flexible schedules

flexible schedules

Free Employee Meal

Free Employee Meal

weekly pay

weekly pay

Anniversary pay

Anniversary pay

Paid sick leave

Paid sick leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Medical insurance

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance

ongoing training

ongoing training

discounts

discounts

401(k) savings plan

401(k) savings plan

Career advancement opportunities

Career advancement opportunities

Prep Cook

at Olive Garden
Huntington Beach, CA, USA|Onsite
From $16.90 to $21.75

From $16.90 to $21.75

Hourly

Hourly

Part-time

Part-time

Hourly

Hourly

Flexible

Flexible

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

flexible schedules

flexible schedules

Free Employee Meal

Free Employee Meal

weekly pay

weekly pay

Anniversary pay

Anniversary pay

Paid sick leave

Paid sick leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Medical insurance

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance

ongoing training

ongoing training

discounts

discounts

401(k) savings plan

401(k) savings plan

Management career advancement opportunities

Management career advancement opportunities

Prep Cook

at Ruth's Chris
Long Beach, CA, USA|Onsite
From $16.90 to $23.25

From $16.90 to $23.25

Hourly

Hourly

Part-time

Part-time

Hourly

Hourly

Flexible

Flexible

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Health Insurance

Health Insurance

401(k)

401(k)

Dining Discounts

Dining Discounts

Employee assistance program

Employee assistance program

Training and career growth

Training and career growth

Paid sick leave

Paid sick leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Referral program

Referral program

Line Cook/Prep Cook – AM Shift

at Salted
Costa Mesa, CA, USA|Onsite
From $18.00 to $20.00

From $18.00 to $20.00

Hourly

Hourly

Hourly

Hourly

Day Shifts

Day Shifts

Weekend Shifts

Weekend Shifts

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Career Development

Career Development

education opportunities

education opportunities

growth opportunities

growth opportunities

Medical insurance

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Vision Insurance

401k plan

401k plan

Paid sick time

Paid sick time

Free Meals

Free Meals

Referral Bonus Program

Referral Bonus Program

Prep Cook, Paseo

at Delaware North
Fullerton, CA, USA|Onsite
Exact $21.00

Exact $21.00

Hourly

Hourly

Full-time

Full-time

Part-time

Part-time

Day Shifts

Day Shifts

Weekend Shifts

Weekend Shifts

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

weekly pay

weekly pay

Training and development opportunities

Training and development opportunities

Employee Discounts

Employee Discounts

Flexible work schedules

Flexible work schedules

Health Insurance

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) with Company Match

401(k) with Company Match

paid vacation days

paid vacation days

Paid holidays

Paid holidays

Paid parental bonding leave

Paid parental bonding leave

Employee assistance program

Employee assistance program

Tuition Reimbursement

Tuition Reimbursement

Professional certification reimbursement

Professional certification reimbursement

EL Cook/Prep

at El Pollo Loco
Costa Mesa, CA, USA|Onsite
From $20.00 to $30.00

From $20.00 to $30.00

Hourly

Hourly

Full-time

Full-time

Part-time

Part-time

Hourly

Hourly

Standard Hours

Standard Hours

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Paid Time Off

Paid Time Off

Health Insurance

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance

Prep Cook

at California Pizza Kitchen
Irvine, CA, USA|
From $16.90 to $18.90

From $16.90 to $18.90

Hourly

Hourly

Full-time

Full-time

Part-time

Part-time

Flexible

Flexible

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

competitive compensation

competitive compensation

Flexible Shifts

Flexible Shifts

Full and Part-Time Opportunities

Full and Part-Time Opportunities

Health Insurance

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance

Disability insurance

Disability insurance

401k

401k

Team Member Dining Discounts

Team Member Dining Discounts

holiday closures

holiday closures

Excellent Training Program

Excellent Training Program

Unlimited Career Advancement Opportunities

Unlimited Career Advancement Opportunities

Diverse Culture

Diverse Culture

Prep Cook

at Olive Garden
Buena Park, CA, USA|Onsite
From $16.90 to $21.75

From $16.90 to $21.75

Hourly

Hourly

Part-time

Part-time

Hourly

Hourly

Flexible

Flexible

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

flexible schedules

flexible schedules

Free Employee Meal

Free Employee Meal

weekly pay

weekly pay

Anniversary pay

Anniversary pay

Paid sick leave

Paid sick leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Medical insurance

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance

ongoing training

ongoing training

discounts

discounts

401(k) savings plan

401(k) savings plan

Management career advancement opportunities

Management career advancement opportunities

EL Cook/Prep

at El Pollo Loco
Fullerton, CA, USA|Onsite
From $20.00 to $30.00

From $20.00 to $30.00

Hourly

Hourly

Temporary

Temporary

Full-time

Full-time

Part-time

Part-time

Hourly

Hourly

Rotating Shifts

Rotating Shifts

Standard Hours

Standard Hours

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Entry Level (1-2 years)

Health Insurance

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Paid Time Off

Employee Discounts

Employee Discounts

Retirement Plan

Retirement Plan

flexible scheduling

flexible scheduling

182 Entry Level Prep Cook Jobs in Costa Mesa, CA - May 2026

Browse 182 entry level Prep Cook jobs in Costa Mesa, CA. Entry level roles in bars, restaurants, hotels, and venues. Many employers hire first time workers and provide on the job training.

Hiring Demand for Entry Level Prep Cook Jobs in Costa Mesa, CA

Employers in Costa Mesa, CA are actively hiring entry level Prep Cook staff to cover daily service and peak hours.

Recent Entry Level Prep Cook Openings

There have been 2 new jobs for Prep Cook positions posted in the last 10 days. Listings update regularly so you see current openings.

Entry Level Prep Cook Salary in Costa Mesa, CA

Entry level Prep Cook pay in Costa Mesa, CA typically ranges from $35,200 per year to $62,400 per year, with average earnings near $44,200 per year or $21.3 per hour. Tips or performance based bonuses can increase total income in busy venues.

  • Lowest wage: $35,200 per year
  • Average wage: $44,200 per year or $21.3 per hour
  • Highest wage: $62,400 per year

How To Apply for Entry Level job

Apply online for entry level Prep Cook roles in Costa Mesa, CA using OysterLink. Use filters to narrow your search:

  • Pay range
  • Experience level - entry level only
  • Work schedule - full time, part time, seasonal
  • Shift timing

Many listings support quick apply with a simple application flow.

Why Entry Level Prep Cook Jobs Are Common in Costa Mesa, CA

Local hospitality, tourism, and nightlife in Costa Mesa, CA create steady demand for entry level Prep Cook positions. Employers often train on site to keep bars, restaurants, and hotels fully staffed.

Top Employers Hiring Entry Level Prep Cook Roles

Frequent employers hiring entry level Prep Cook roles in Costa Mesa, CA include:

  • El Pollo Loco
  • Sodexo
  • Olive Garden

Prep Cook Job Benefits and Perks in Costa Mesa, CA

Many entry level Prep Cook jobs in Costa Mesa, CA offer Dental Insurance, 401(k) savings plan, staff discounts, and flexible scheduling, making them strong starting points in hospitality.

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