Entree Cook
Prepare Great Food. Support Your Team. Enjoy a Better Work-Life Balance.
APEX Restaurant and Market Solutions is a leader in corporate dining and vending, dedicated to delivering exceptional food, friendly service, and great value to the workplaces we serve.
We’re looking for a dependable, positive, and detail-oriented Prep Cook to join our culinary team!
If you enjoy working with fresh ingredients, take pride in preparing food the right way, and thrive in a fast-paced team environment, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
And one of the best parts? NO nights and NO weekends! Enjoy a Monday–Friday daytime schedule while building your culinary skills in a professional corporate dining environment.
Why You'll Love Working at APEX
- Monday–Friday daytime hours
- NO nights and NO weekends!
- Enjoy a schedule that supports a healthy work-life balance
- Work alongside experienced culinary professionals
- Prepare fresh food in a professional corporate dining environment
- Learn new recipes, techniques, and kitchen skills
- Opportunities to cross-train and grow within the organization
- Be part of a supportive, team-focused workplace
- Work for a company that values people, quality, teamwork, and great service
Position Overview
As a Prep Cook, you’ll play an important role in making sure our culinary team has everything they need to deliver great food each day.
Working under the direction of the Executive Chef or Chef Manager, you’ll prepare ingredients, follow daily prep lists and recipes, and help keep the kitchen organized, clean, and ready for service.
This is a hands-on position that requires attention to detail, good time management, and the ability to stay organized while working at a steady pace.
You’ll also have the opportunity to learn different areas of the kitchen and cross-train on other stations as you grow your skills.
What You'll Do
Prepare Great Food
- Prepare ingredients and recipes according to the direction of the Executive Chef or Chef Manager
- Follow daily prep lists and production schedules
- Wash, peel, cut, chop, slice, portion, and prepare ingredients as needed
- Follow standardized recipes and preparation procedures
- Maintain consistency in portion sizes and food quality
- Prepare ingredients in advance to ensure the kitchen is ready for service
- Assist with preparing soups, sauces, salads, sides, entrées, and other menu items as directed
- Pay attention to detail to ensure ingredients are prepared correctly and efficiently
Use Proper Knife & Kitchen Skills
- Safely and confidently use knives and other kitchen equipment
- Follow proper knife handling and cutting techniques
- Maintain knives and equipment in a clean and safe condition
- Follow all equipment safety procedures
- Report damaged equipment or safety concerns to leadership
- Maintain an organized and efficient workstation
Follow the Chef's Direction
- Follow prep lists and daily priorities provided by the Executive Chef or Chef Manager
- Ask questions when instructions or recipes are unclear
- Communicate progress and any potential challenges to leadership
- Complete assigned prep work within established timelines
- Adjust priorities as menu and service needs change
- Take direction well and be willing to learn new techniques and responsibilities
Keep Food Safe & Fresh
Food safety and cleanliness are an important part of the APEX experience.
- Follow all APEX food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness procedures
- Properly handle, label, date, store, and rotate food products
- Follow proper food temperature and storage requirements
- Prevent cross-contamination by following safe food handling procedures
- Maintain proper personal hygiene and uniform standards
- Clean and sanitize work surfaces, utensils, and equipment
- Follow all applicable health department and food safety requirements
- Report food safety or quality concerns immediately
Keep Your Work Area Clean & Organized
- Practice “clean as you go” throughout the shift
- Keep prep areas clean, organized, and stocked
- Wash and sanitize equipment, utensils, and work surfaces
- Assist with dishwashing, sweeping, mopping, and other cleaning duties as needed
- Maintain organized walk-in, freezer, dry storage, and prep areas
- Help with opening and closing kitchen duties
- Make sure the kitchen is clean, safe, and ready for the next service period
Be a Team Player
At APEX, everyone plays an important role.
- Work closely with the Executive Chef, Chef Manager, cooks, and food service team
- Communicate effectively with teammates and leadership
- Help other team members during busy periods
- Be willing to cross-train at additional stations
- Jump in and assist wherever needed
- Maintain a positive attitude, even during busy service periods
- Participate in team huddles and daily communication
- Contribute to a respectful, supportive, and team-focused environment
What We're Looking For
We’re looking for someone who enjoys working with food, takes pride in doing things correctly, and understands the importance of teamwork in a professional kitchen.
The ideal candidate is:
- Positive, dependable, and hardworking
- Detail-oriented and organized
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced kitchen environment
- Able to follow recipes, prep lists, and detailed instructions
- Comfortable taking direction from the Executive Chef or Chef Manager
- Confident using knives and basic commercial kitchen equipment
- Knowledgeable about basic food safety and sanitation practices
- Able to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively
- A team player who is willing to help wherever needed
- Willing to learn and cross-train on other stations
- Takes pride in cleanliness and organization
- Previous prep cook, restaurant, catering, culinary, or food service experience is a plus—but we're willing to train the right person!
- Culinary training or education is a plus
- Bilingual is a plus
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
This is an active, hands-on position in a busy commercial kitchen.
- Ability to stand and move throughout the shift
- Ability to bend, reach, stoop, push, and pull as needed
- Ability to lift and carry food, supplies, and equipment
- Ability to safely handle knives and commercial kitchen equipment
- Comfortable working around heat, refrigeration, and varying kitchen temperatures
- Ability to perform repetitive tasks such as chopping, cutting, lifting, and food preparation
- Ability to maintain a steady pace during busy production periods
- Ability to safely perform the physical requirements of the position