Job Title: Prep Cook

Date Revised: 10/22/2024      

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt      

Job Status: Full-Time/Part-Time

I. Job Summary

A prep cook is responsible for preparing ingredients and performing preliminary tasks to facilitate smooth kitchen operations. They assist in meal preparation by chopping vegetables, trimming meats, and measuring ingredients according to recipes. Prep cooks maintain cleanliness and organization in the kitchen, including storage areas and equipment. They also assist with inventory management by monitoring ingredient levels and notifying kitchen staff of replenishment needs. Prep cooks play a vital role in ensuring that the kitchen is well-stocked and ready for service, contributing to the overall efficiency and success of the culinary team.

II. Essential Job Functions

Job Activities

• Prepares and measures ingredients for use in dishes.
• Washes and chops vegetables and other food items.
• Prepare and portion ingredients according to recipes and specifications provided by the chef or kitchen manager.
• Assist in meal preparation by chopping, dicing, slicing, and peeling vegetables, fruits, and other ingredients.
• Trim and portion meats, poultry, and seafood as required for various dishes.
• Measure and assemble ingredients accurately, ensuring consistency and quality in food preparation.
• Assist with the preparation of sauces, marinades, dressings, and other components used in recipes.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in the kitchen, including storage areas, work surfaces, and equipment.
• Follow food safety and sanitation guidelines to ensure safe handling and storage of ingredients.
• Flexibility to work before or after your regular scheduled shift 
• Assist with inventory management by monitoring ingredient levels, rotating stock, and notifying kitchen staff of replenishment needs.
• Support kitchen staff during service by retrieving and restocking ingredients, utensils, and equipment as needed.
• Collaborate with chefs, line cooks, and other kitchen staff to ensure smooth operations and timely completion of tasks.
• Take direction from supervisors and demonstrate a willingness to learn and adapt to new techniques and procedures.
• Uphold the restaurant's standards of excellence in food quality, taste, and presentation, contributing to a positive dining experience for guests.
• Controls waste.
• Follows proper rotation procedures.
• Labels and dates all products prepared.
• Knowledgeable about food preparation methods and techniques.
• Coordinates food service with other departments as necessary.

Personal Competencies

• Demonstrates a strong customer-centric approach, consistently considering the needs of customers in all job-related activities.
• Exhibits financial awareness by understanding operational costs and actively participating in cost control measures.
• Embraces a proactive attitude towards personal development, displaying enthusiasm for learning new skills and knowledge to enhance personal performance.
• Displays adaptability by responding positively and promptly to changing requirements, willingly engaging in tasks outside of regular responsibilities when necessary.
• Promotes teamwork through cooperation and support for colleagues, contributing to departmental and restaurant objectives with a positive attitude.
• Takes personal responsibility and initiative to address issues, fostering a positive impact through effective communication with both customers and colleagues.
• Maintains a consistently productive work output aligned with normal business levels.

Department Responsibilities

• Ensures that the department is maintaining its agreed level of operating performance at all times.
• Communicates and delegates activities to the team.
• Ensures that all up selling opportunities are maximized within the department.
• Ensures that the restaurant’s operational budgets are strictly adhered to, all costs are controlled and any expenditure approved.
• Is aware of all relevant suppliers and their products and orders accordingly as and when necessary due to business demand.
• Prepares department budgets or re-forecasts, as requested by the General Manager.
• Ensures that all department staff work hygienically and productively.
• Ensures that all restaurant personnel strictly adhere to manufacturer’s instructions of use of all machinery and equipment.
• To ensure that all restaurant equipment is maintained to operating specifications and to complete weekly maintenance lists where necessary.
• Manages the completion of all administrative documentation including requisitions and internal transfers relevant to the department’s accountability.
• Has a detailed knowledge of department brand standards and is able to explain the standards to the team.
• Reports for duty punctually wearing the correct uniform.
• Coordinates with the Purchasing Manager in ordering ingredients to ensure all menu items are able to be produced by the kitchen during each service.=
• Ensures correct handling and basic maintenance is carried out for all machinery and tools in all sections.
• Inspects produce with the Receiver to ensure freshness and quality.
• Provides courteous and professional service at all times.
• Ensures a smooth operation is maintained at all times and good communication with all managers is maintained.
• Complies with appropriate legislation. 
• Coordinates with the General Manager to ensure menu pricing is up-to-date.
• Maintains a high standard of personal appearance and hygiene at all times.
• Maintains a good rapport and working relationship with staff in all other departments.
• Leads department meetings.
• Maintains an awareness of new cooking techniques and culinary trends.
• Designs new recipes, plans new menus, and selects plate presentation.
• Has a complete understanding of the company’s policies relating to Fire, Hygiene, Health and Safety.
• Is completely conversant with the company’s employee handbook and complies with the regulations at all times.

Additional Duties

• Performs other job-related duties as directed.
• To work as a team player at all times and be prepared to be flexible in order to ensure that operations are always as efficient and profitable as possible.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. 

IV. Education, Experience and Skill Requirements

• Demonstrate excellent communication and organizational abilities.
• Ability to effectively manage stressful situations and respond to emergencies.
• Maintain a cheerful and positive attitude while interacting with diverse individuals and excel under pressure.
• Exhibit responsibility, tidiness, and professionalism in personal appearance.
• Display strong communication skills in interactions with supervisors and team members.
• Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English. 

V. Working Conditions

Possible Environmental Conditions:

• Heat, Cold, Noisy, Odors, Outdoors, Dust/Fumes, Chemicals, Humidity

III. Requirements and Activities:

• Bending/Pushing/Pulling- Constantly 60%
• Climbing Ladders- Sometimes 0-29%
• Climbing Stairs- Sometimes 0-29%
• Collating/Filing- Not Applicable
• Color Recognition- Sometimes 0-29%
• Dialing- Not Applicable
• Digging- Sometimes 0-29%
• Hearing-Constantly 60% 
• Lifting/Carrying 25lbs.- Constantly 60% 
• Lifting/Carrying 50lbs.-Constantly 60% 
• Lifting/Carrying 75lbs.or- Not Applicable
• Listening- Constantly 60% 
• Manual Dexterity- Constantly 60%
• Reading- Constantly 60%
• Sitting- Not Applicable
• Speaking- Constantly 60%
• Standing-Constantly 60% 
• Stretching- Sometimes 0-29%
• Sustained Mental Application- Frequently 30-50%
• Sustained Visual Application - Constantly 60% 
• Threading- Not Applicable 
• Using a Keyboard - Not Applicable 
• Vehicle Operation- Not Applicable
• Vision- Constantly 60%
• Walking- Constantly 60%
• Writing- Frequently 30-50%

The Company reserves the right, at any time with or without notice to alter or change your job duties, reassign or transfer job responsibilities or to assign you additional job responsibilities.

From time to time, you may be directed to work on special projects that assist with other work necessary or important to the operation of the Company.

If you do not believe your job description accurately reflects your day to day job duties, please bring this to the attention of Human Resources.

I have read and understand this job description. I am able to perform and follow the job description to the best of my ability. If at any point I am unable to perform the job description, I will notify Human Resources.