Food Service - Prep Cook

SSA Group; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join SSA Group as a Prep Cook at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. In this role, you'll prepare high-quality meals in a fast-paced kitchen, ensuring cleanliness and compliance with health guidelines. Enjoy competitive pay, flexible scheduling, and opportunities for growth within a nurturing team environment.

Benefits

Competitive pay

Flexible Scheduling

Retail Discounts

Meal plans

Opportunities for growth

Free Zoo Membership

Qualifications

• Knowledge of health and safety rules in a kitchen.
• Manual dexterity to operate cutting tools and kitchen utensils.

Responsibilities

• Prepare ingredients including washing, chopping, and marinating.
• Maintain a clean and orderly kitchen.
• Assist in inventory management.

Skills

Flexibility

Communication

Team player

Education

Culinary education or equivalent training

Job description

Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Friday, June 6, 2025 at 4:00 AM

Join our team at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden as a Prep Cook! We are looking for passionate and hardworking individuals to help prepare high-quality meals in a fast-paced environment with a strong focus on hospitality.

What We Offer:

• Competitive pay
• Flexible Scheduling
• Retail Discounts
• Meal plans
• Opportunities for growth
• Free Zoo Membership (including guest passes!)

Prep Cook

Who are we :

SSA Group works with zoos, aquariums, museums, and other cultural attractions on integrating dining, retail, admissions and more. We increase revenue opportunities for partners across the United States. With 50 years in the business, SSA has refined the basics while pioneering better ways forward. With pillars of focus like sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, SSA is transforming the cultural attraction industry.

SSA was built by families, for families, with a family’s sense of love anddedication. We don’t just rely on the best practices in our industry, we customize best practices for each partner to set the bar higher and higher, always. We do all we can to further the mission of our partners because their guests and the communities they serve,deserve it.

Position Title: Prep Cook

Reports to: Kitchen Manager(s), Sous Chef(s) andExecutive Chef

Responsibilities

Prepare a variety of ingredients including washing, chopping, seasoning, and marinating.

Maintain a clean and orderly kitchen by washing dishes, sanitizing surfaces, and organizing supplies.

Assist in inventory management and storage of supplies.

Ensure all food and other items are stored properly.

Comply with nutrition and sanitation guidelines.

Perform other kitchen duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.

Knowledge of health and safety rules in a kitchen.

Manual dexterity able to operate cutting tools and kitchen utensils.

A team player with good communication skills.

Patient with an ability to stay positive under pressure.

• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

IDEA + Belonging

• Promote an inclusive & supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking continuing at all units .
• Focuses on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels .
• Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary.
• Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus. On opportunities of giving back .

Previous Experience

• Previous experience in a kitchen, culinary education, or equivalent training.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. SSA Group reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks are performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments)

SSA Group, LLC. is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity through our commitment to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Compensation and Benefits

• Hourly, Non-Exempt. Pay is based on range in consideration of relevant job experience and certification/education
• Employee Assistance Program
• Get Paid Early
• Tuition Discount through Partnership College
• Meal Plan & employee Discounts

All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document for more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.

Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America