Prep Cook

Black Briar; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 24,796 - 27,552; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off after 90 days

Paid sick leave (Illinois)

Employee dining benefit

Annual merit increase

Job summary

Black Briar in Chicago's West Loop is seeking a Prep Cook to be the foundation of every great service. You will perform daily prep and mise en place to recipe and standard, keep walk-ins and stations organized, and ensure the kitchen is ready before service. You report to the Sous Chef and Chef de Cuisine.

This role is precise, standard-driven work; prior kitchen experience is preferred but training will be provided. Valid Illinois Food Handler cert or obtained before start date is required.

Qualifications

• Prior prep or kitchen experience preferred; we will train the right person.
• Able to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Valid Illinois Food Handler certification required, or obtained before start date

Responsibilities

• Execute daily prep lists to recipe, yield, and standard.
• Precise mise en place — cutting, portioning, and labeling to spec.
• Hold food safety, storage, and sanitation standards at all times — FIFO, labeling, and dating.
• Keep the walk-in, dry storage, and prep areas clean and organized.
• Assist with receiving and organizing deliveries as directed.
• Complete cleaning and closing of prep areas to standard

Skills

Kitchen prep

Food safety

Attention to detail

Follow recipes

Physical stamina

Illinois Food Handler cert

Education

Illinois Food Handler certification

Job description

Company Overview

Black Briar is a creative American restaurant anchored by an open coal grill, a serious raw bar, and ingredient-first cooking with a Chicago tavern soul. Led by Chef Jimmy Papadopoulos, we are opening in the West Loop and building something permanent — a kitchen with a point of view, a team with standards, and a menu that earns its place in the city we love.

We are looking for a Prep Cook who is the foundation of every great service — precise, consistent, and proud of the work that happens before the doors open.

The Role

The Prep Cook builds the foundation the line cooks on. You execute daily prep and mise en place to recipe and standard, keep the walk-in and stations organized, and make sure the kitchen is ready before every service. You report to the Sous Chef and Chef de Cuisine. This is detailed, standard-driven work that the entire kitchen depends on.

What You Own

• Executing daily prep lists to recipe, yield, and standard
• Precise mise en place — cutting, portioning, and labeling to spec
• Holding food safety, storage, and sanitation standards at all times — FIFO, labeling, and dating
• Keeping the walk-in, dry storage, and prep areas clean and organized
• Supporting line setup and restocking stations before and during service
• Minimizing waste through careful, efficient prep and product use
• Assisting with receiving and organizing deliveries as directed
• Complete cleaning and closing of prep areas to standard

What We’re Looking For

• Prior prep or kitchen experience preferred — we will train the right person
• Care, consistency, and genuine attention to detail
• Ability to follow recipes and standards precisely
• Physically able to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds
• Valid Illinois Food Handler certification required, or obtained before start date
• Reliable, punctual, and steady

The Kitchen

The Black Briar kitchen runs on a coal grill and a raw bar, and none of it works without the prep that comes first. The Prep Cook sets the foundation — product cut to spec, labeled, dated, and ready. It is quiet, exacting work that the whole team depends on.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly wage $18.00-$20.00
• Health benefits
• Paid time off, accruing after 90 days
• Paid sick leave per Illinois law
• Employee dining benefit
• Annual performance review with merit increase opportunity

Who You Are

You take pride in the work no guest ever sees. You label, you date, you portion to spec, and you leave the walk-in better than you found it. You understand that a great service is built hours before it starts — by you. You want to learn and grow in a serious kitchen. If that is you, we want to hear from you.

Black Briar is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that reflects the city we are proud to call home.