Prep Cook

Elencantorestaurants; Cave Creek (AZ); On-site; USD 22,041 - 24,796; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company parties

Meal discounts

Growth opportunities

Major holidays off

Job summary

A family-run dining establishment in Cave Creek, Arizona, is seeking a Prep Cook to manage food preparation and maintain kitchen standards. The ideal candidate will work quickly and efficiently, take pride in food quality, and support a team-oriented environment. Benefits include competitive pay ranging from $16.00 to $18.00 an hour and various employee incentives, including meal discounts and holiday breaks.

Qualifications

• Ability to lift 20 lbs or more.
• Willing to stand or walk for extended periods.
• Availability to work evenings and on weekends.
• Physical strength to include significant bending, carrying, reaching, lifting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare a variety of foods according to orders or instructions.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of work stations.
• Assist cooks and kitchen staff as needed.
• Communicate with supervisors about food and supplies.

Skills

Efficiency and speed

Organization

Focus on quality

Team Player

Tools

Commercial use appliances

Cutlery

Dishwashers

Point of sale terminal

Job description

El Encanto Restaurants is hiring a prep cook to join our team! We are a family‑run restaurant who treats all of its employees like family! This position starts at $16.00 - $18.00 an hour. We offer benefits for full‑time employees and incentives such as company parties, meal discounts, growth opportunities and major holidays off!

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Prep Cook at El Encanto is responsible for managing the preparation of a variety of food products including meats, seafood, poultry, vegetables, sauces, stocks, tacos, enchiladas, tamales, and other food products using a variety of equipment and utensils according to the Daily Prep List.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Promote, work, and act in a manner consistent with the El Encanto Mission Statement and Core Values.
• Arrive at least 5 minutes before your scheduled time in a clean uniform.
• Ask the Kitchen Manager or manager‑on‑duty about menu specials and any other product or menu issues you should be aware of.
• Refer to the Daily Prep List at the start of each shift for assigned duties.
• Understand and comply with standard portion sizes, cooking methods, quality standards, and kitchen rules, policies, and procedures.
• Clean and sanitize work stations including tables, shelves, walls, grills, broilers, fryers, pasta cookers, sauté burners, convection oven, flat‑top range, and refrigeration equipment.
• Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
• Prepare a variety of foods according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures in broilers, ovens, grills, fryers and other kitchen equipment.
• Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.
• Wash, peel, and cut various foods such as fruits and vegetables for cooking or serving.
• Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets.
• Portion according to standard portion sizes and recipe specifications and wrap the food or place it directly on plates for service to guests.
• Weigh or measure ingredients.
• Mix ingredients for green salads, molded fruit salads, vegetable salads, and pasta salads.
• Receive and store food supplies, equipment, and utensils in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas.
• Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
• Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed and provide cooks with needed items.
• Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
• Use manual or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice, and trim foods.
• Promptly inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items.
• Make special dressings and sauces as condiments for sandwiches.
• Stir and strain soups and sauces.
• Use the Standard Recipe Card for preparing all products; do not rely on the memory of oneself or others.
• Complete opening and closing checklists and assist others in opening and closing the kitchen.
• Attend all scheduled employee meetings and offer suggestions for improvement.
• Coordinate with and assist fellow employees to meet guests' needs and support the operation of the restaurant.
• Fill in for fellow employees where needed to ensure guest service standards and efficient operations.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB

Efficiency and speed: A good Prep Cook must work quickly and efficiently so that our speed of service objectives are met while preparing food that meets our high standards of quality and plate presentation.

Organization: Since speed of execution is so important, so is maintaining an organized work area. A good Prep Cook has the right tools and equipment ready when needed.

Focus on quality, pride in work: A Prep Cook's work is placed directly in front of our guests. The type of job performed by our Prep Cooks influences our guests' entire experience. Good Prep Cooks take great pride in serving great food and follow our high standards of quality and consistency on every product that leaves their station.

Always a Team Player: A good Prep Cook is always aware of what's happening on the Prep and in the kitchen and is ready and willing to help others get the job done. You may be asked to work some shifts at another location.

REQUIRED/NECESSARY SKILLS

• Ability to lift 20 lbs or more.
• Willing to stand or walk for extended periods.
• Availability to work evenings and on weekends, including holidays.
• Physical Strength required to include significant bending, carrying, reaching, lifting.

Tools & Technology

• Commercial use: blenders, choppers, cubers, dicers, grinders, processors, and/or slicers
• Broilers, deep fryers, griddles, grills, microwave ovens, ovens, pizza ovens, ranges, rotisseries, steamers, and/or toasters
• Cutlery
• Dishwashers
• Food warmers
• Measuring cups
• Mixers
• Scales
• Woks
• Ice dispensers
• Personal computers
• Point of sale terminal
• Roasting machinery