P.M Prep Cook

Mission Ranch Llc.; Carmel-by-the-Sea (CA); Hybrid; USD 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Mission Ranch is seeking a PM Prep Cook to support dinner service by preparing a wide variety of ingredients and menu components in our kitchen. You will follow established recipes, maintain food safety standards, and work closely with the Chef and Sous Chef to ensure timely, high-quality prep.

The role requires 2+ years kitchen experience, strong knife skills, familiarity with FIFO, and the ability to work PM shifts, weekends, and holidays in a fast-paced hospitality environment.

Qualifications

• Two years of pantry, food prep, or line cook experience preferred.
• Knowledge of food preparation techniques and proper ingredient handling.
• Ability to follow standardized recipes and instructions from supervisors.
• Knowledge of FIFO, labeling, rotation, temperature control, and safe food-handling practices.
• Work efficiently in a fast-paced kitchen with attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary workstation.
• Flexible schedule including PM shifts, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Prepare a variety of hot and cold menu items per established recipes and standards.
• Apply cooking techniques such as slicing, dicing, grilling, frying, baking, roasting, and sautéing.
• Maintain knife skills and safe operation of kitchen equipment.
• Set up and maintain prep and kitchen stations for dinner service.
• Assist across stations to support service demands.
• Ensure food items are prepared with accuracy and high-quality presentation.
• Monitor freshness and rotate inventory using FIFO to minimize waste.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of all work areas and equipment.
• Store food and supplies with proper labeling and temperature control.

Skills

Knife skills

Food prep

Team player

Time management

Organization

Safety compliance

Flexibility

Education

High School diploma

GED

Food Handler Card (CA)

ServSafe certification

Job description

• Base Pay $20.00 - $24.00 / Year
• Employee Type Full-Time Non-Exempt

If you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you!

Mission Ranch is looking for our next PM Prep Cook. This position is responsible for preparing a wide variety of ingredients and menu components to support evening service. This role ensures all food is prepared, stored, and maintained according to Mission Ranch’s recipes, quality standards, and food safety requirements while supporting overall kitchen efficiency.
This position maintains an organized, sanitary, and properly stocked workstation and works closely with the kitchen and service teams to complete orders accurately, consistently, and on time.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare a variety of hot and cold menu items, including meats, seafood, vegetables, starches, salads, dressings, soups, and sauces in accordance with established recipes and standards
• Apply proper cooking and preparation techniques such as slicing, dicing, grilling, frying, baking, roasting, and sautéing
• Maintain proficiency in knife handling and safe operation of kitchen equipment
• Set up and maintain assigned prep and kitchen stations, ensuring readiness for dinner service
• Assist with execution across stations (prep, pantry, sauté, grill, and hot line) as needed to support service demands
• Ensure all food items are prepared with accuracy, consistency, and high-quality presentation standards
• Monitor food freshness and rotate inventory using FIFO practices to minimize waste and spoilage
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and sanitation of all work areas, equipment, and storage spaces
• Properly store food and supplies in compliance with labeling, temperature control, and food safety standards
• Identify and report any equipment malfunctions or unsafe conditions to the Chef or Sous Chef immediately
• Support training and onboarding of new kitchen staff on procedures, safety, and quality standards
• Communicate effectively with the Chef, Sous Chef, and team regarding daily prep needs and production updates
• Assist other kitchen stations and departments as needed to ensure efficient operations and teamwork
• Follow all company safety, health, and sanitation policies and procedures
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Requirements

• Two years of relevant pantry, food preparation, line cook, or restaurant kitchen experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• Two (2) years of relevant food preparation or restaurant kitchen experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• Strong knowledge of food preparation techniques, including knife skills, portioning, and proper ingredient handling
• Ability to accurately follow standardized recipes, preparation specifications, and verbal instructions from supervisors
• Working knowledge of proper food storage, labeling, rotation (FIFO), temperature control, and safe food-handling practices
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced kitchen environment while maintaining quality, consistency, and attention to detail
• Strong organizational, time-management, and multitasking skills
• Ability to maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary workstation throughout the shift
• Team-oriented approach with the ability to communicate effectively, take direction, and assist other kitchen team members as needed
• Flexibility to work PM shifts, weekends, holidays, and other schedules as required by business needs

Education & Experience

• High School diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience required
• Previous experience preparing both hot and cold food in a restaurant or similar food-service environment preferred
• Experience with prep, pantry, and hot-line production; experience supporting Sunday brunch operations is a plus
• Knowledge of portion control, food quality standards, inventory rotation, and waste reduction
• Familiarity with applicable food safety and sanitation requirements
• Must obtain and maintain a valid California Food Handler Card within the timeframe required by applicable law and Company policy
• ServSafe certification preferred

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for extended periods
• Ability to sustain extended physical activity, including standing, bending, and lifting, in a busy kitchen setting
• Use hands and fingers to handle knives, utensils, ingredients, containers, and kitchen equipment
• The employee must frequently lift, carry, push, and/or move items weighing up to 50 pounds with assistance when appropriate
• Move food products, trays, pans, boxes, and kitchen supplies between storage and preparation areas
• Maintain sufficient visual ability to inspect food quality, read order tickets, measure ingredients, and safely operate equipment
• Communicate effectively in a kitchen environment where verbal instructions and safety warnings must be understood
• The position consistently involves working near hot surfaces, open flames, or moving mechanical parts
• Restaurant kitchen setting located within a hospitality property, involving regular interaction with staff, management, clients, and guests
• Requires the ability to work professionally under time constraints and manage multiple priorities
• Requires the ability to work on flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by business needs

Summary

Mission Ranch provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Mission Ranch is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law, and participates in E-Verify.