Prep Cook

Athenian Grill - North Locust Hill; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on shift

Consistent scheduling

Room to grow with family-owned company

Crew that has your back

Job summary

Athenian Grill in Fayette Mall, Lexington, KY is seeking an experienced Prep Cook. The role demands real kitchen experience, knife skills, and the ability to thrive during lunch rushes while lifting up to 50 lbs. Compensation is $16-$20 per hour based on experience, with meals provided and steady scheduling.

Applicants should be ready to work weekends and evenings, have a strong work ethic, and maintain high standards for safety and cleanliness in a bustling Greek kitchen environment.

Qualifications

• Real kitchen experience required. Prep cook or line cook is acceptable.
• Sharp knife skills and knowledge of food safety.
• Speed with accuracy; fast and sloppy is not.
• A strong work ethic; reliable and punctual.
• Reliability; show up on schedule, ready to go.
• Ability to stand long shifts and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Good attitude and sense of humor; we work hard and laugh.

Responsibilities

• Turn crates of produce into mise en place for service.
• Make sauces, dressings, and marinades from scratch.
• Whip tzatziki by the bucket and portion proteins for consistency.
• Set up the line before the rush to keep cooks ready.
• Label, date, and rotate products (FIFO).
• Maintain a clean station to pass health inspections.
• Help with receiving, stocking, and closing when needed.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Knife skills

Speed and accuracy

Work ethic

Reliability

50 lb lift

Attitude & humor

Job description

Prep Cook - Athenian Grill (Fayette Mall, Lexington, KY)

$16-$20/hr, based on experience

Opa! Our kitchen needs a prep hero.

Every great gyro starts long before it hits the plate. It starts with someone who shows up early, sharpens their knife, and turns a mountain of produce into perfectly diced, perfectly portioned, perfectly labeled magic. That someone could be you.

Athenian Grill is a family-owned Greek restaurant that's growing fast, and our Fayette Mall kitchen is looking for an experienced Prep Cook who knows their way around a cutting board and isn’t afraid of a real day's work.

Let's be upfront: this job is not for beginners. We love training people, but this role needs someone who already has kitchen experience under their apron. Prior prep or line cook experience is required. You should already know how to hold a knife, how to read a prep list, and how to keep up when the tickets start flying.

And yes, it's hard work. Mall traffic doesn't wait. Lunch rushes come in hot, weekends get wild, and the prep has to be done before the doors open. You'll be on your feet, moving the whole shift, lifting cases, working in heat, and hustling. If that sounds exhausting, this probably isn't your gig. If it sounds like a good day, keep reading.

What your day looks like

• Turning crates of tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and peppers into beautiful mise en place
• Making our sauces, dressings, and marinades from scratch (you'll become very close friends with garlic)
• Whipping up tzatziki by the bucket, not the spoonful
• Portioning proteins so every plate is consistent, every single time
• Setting up the line so our cooks are locked and loaded before the rush
• Labeling, dating, and rotating product like a pro (FIFO is a lifestyle)
• Keeping your station so clean the health inspector gets bored
• Pitching in on receiving, stocking, and closing when the team needs you

What you need to bring

• Real kitchen experience. Prep cook, line cook, or similar. This is a must.
• Sharp knife skills and a working knowledge of food safety
• Speed with accuracy. Fast is great; fast and sloppy is not
• A strong work ethic. You don't lean when you can clean
• Reliability. When you're on the schedule, you show up, on time, ready to go
• Ability to stand for long shifts and lift up to 50 lbs
• A good attitude and a sense of humor. We work hard, but we laugh a lot doing it

What you get

• $16-$20/hr, based on experience. The more you bring, the more you make
• Free meals on shift. Fresh Greek food. You're welcome
• Consistent scheduling
• Room to grow with a family-owned company that's expanding
• A crew that has your back, even on the craziest Saturday

Location

Fayette Mall, Lexington, KY

Schedule

Days, nights, and weekends available

Experience required. Hard workers only. Good vibes encouraged.