Prep Cook

Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50% Dining/Carryout

40% Retail Wine

20% Retail & Events

Wine Tasting for Two

Insurance: Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) Matching

FSAs Health/Dependent Care

Health Savings Account

Life & AD&D Insurance

Short-Term Disability

Competitive Pay & Incentives

Pay Access Before Payday

Flexible Schedules

Paid Time Off

Team Relief Program

Employee Assistance Program

Everyday Benefits (pet, life, auto, 홈)

Referral Bonus Program

Wine & Culinary Education

Career Growth Flight Plan

Team Rewards & Tenure

Job summary

Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants is hiring a Prep Cook for Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk. You will prepare fresh ingredients, follow recipes, and set up your station to keep the kitchen efficient and organized during each shift.

Ideal candidates bring prep/line cook experience, basic knife skills, and strong teamwork. Must be 18+, able to stand long hours, lift 50 pounds, and work flexible weekends/holidays in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age.
• Previous prep or line cook experience preferred.
• Basic knife skills and knowledge of kitchen safety and sanitation.
• Comfort following recipes and portioning food.
• A team focused attitude and ability to stay organized in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Availability to work flexible schedules including weekends and holidays.
• Ability to read, understand, and communicate in English.

Responsibilities

• Prepare fresh ingredients and follow recipes with accuracy.
• Set up and organize your station to stay efficient through every shift.
• Maintain high quality standards in prep and execution.
• Keep your work area clean, stocked, and safe while handling ingredients with care.
• Communicate with teammates and managers to ensure a smooth kitchen flow.
• Wash, peel, slice, and mix vegetables, fruits, and other ingredients for salads, cold plates, and garnishes.
• Prepare hot and cold sauces.
• Carve and slice meats and cheeses.
• Portion food for service.
• Follow daily systems and procedures to stay organized and on track.

Skills

Prep/line cook experience

Knife skills

Kitchen safety & sanitation

Teamwork

English reading & understanding

Stand for long periods

Lift up to 50 pounds

Job description

At Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk, our Prep Cooks bring heart to every recipe and precision to every task. By preparing fresh, high-quality ingredients, they set the tone for a great dining experience. Every slice, portion, and plate supports Uncompromising Hospitality, helping the kitchen run smoothly and ensuring every guest enjoys consistent and memorable food.

Pay Range: $15 - $21 per hour. Pay offered is determined by skills, qualifications and experience.

What You’ll Get

• Incredible Discounts:
  • 50% Dining and Carryout
  • 40% Retail Wine
  • 20% Retail and Private Events
  • Monthly Complimentary Wine Tasting for Two
• Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Insurance plus Telemedicine and Wellness Program
• Company Matching 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts- Health and Dependent Care
• Health Savings Account
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Highly Competitive Pay plus Team Member Incentives & Rewards
• Pay Access before Pay Day
• Flexible Schedules
• Paid Time Off
• Access to Team Member Relief Program
• Employee Assistance Program, providing mental health, legal and financial counseling.
• “Everyday Benefits” Program to include insurance coverage (pet, life, auto, home/property) and employee discounts on goods and services
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Wine and Culinary Education
• Career Growth Flight Plan
• Team Member Rewards, Tenure Recognition and Referral Bonuses

How You Will Succeed

Show Up Ready: Come Prepared, stay sharp, and start strong.

• Prepare fresh ingredients and follow recipes with accuracy
• Set up and organize your station to stay efficient through every shift

Own What You See

Take Responsibility, jump in, and do what needs to be done.

• Maintain high quality standards in prep and execution
• Keep your work area clean, stocked, and safe while handling ingredients with care

Stay in Sync

Communicate often, move with your team, and keep service flowing.

• Communicate with teammates and managers to ensure a smooth kitchen flow
• Perform these kitchen functions:
  • Wash, peel, slice, and mix vegetables, fruits, and other ingredients for salads, cold plates, and garnishes.
  • Prepare hot and cold sauces
  • Carve and slice meats and cheeses
  • Portion food for service
  • Follow daily systems and procedures to stay organized and on track

Make It Personal

Be genuine, listen well, and tailor each experience.

• Take pride in your prep work because every detail matters
• Support the kitchen team by creating the foundation for every great dish

Add a Touch

Go beyond the expected to create memorable moments.

• Go beyond the basics by keeping kitchen equipment in excellent condition
• Keep an eye out for ways to make the kitchen cleaner, faster, and better

What You Will Bring

• At least 18 years of age
• Previous prep or line cook experience preferred
• Basic knife skills and knowledge of kitchen safety and sanitation
• Comfort following recipes and portioning food
• A team focused attitude and ability to stay organized in a fast paced environment
• Ability to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 pounds
• Availability to work flexible schedules including weekends and holidays
• Ability to read, understand, and communicate in English

Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk reviews several factors when establishing compensation. Salaries and hourly wages appearing in a job posting may be published by third parties and may not reflect the salaries or hourly wages offered by Cooper’s Hawk.

Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to the person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Cooper’s Hawk makes reasonable accommodations during all aspects of the employment process, including during the interview process. The information provided above indicates the general nature and level of work required of the position and is not a comprehensive list of all responsibilities or qualifications. The Benefits list is only a highlight of some of the benefits offered to team members; eligibility for certain benefits apply.

About Us

Cooper's Hawk features a Napa-style tasting room with wine-inspired retail for entertaining and a full-service restaurant, bar and private event space, offering a modern-yet-casual dining experience. Each scratch-kitchen menu item is designed to pair with our wines. Speaking of wine...the Cooper's Hawk Wine Club is perhaps the largest in the world, offering not only top-notch award-winning wines but also exclusive Wine Club membership benefits, including curated dining and travel experiences. Since 2005, we've brought the Napa Valley experience to our guests and Wine Club members, and now, with Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk, we’re bringing the vibrant flavors of Rome to them as well. Together, we’re creating a lifestyle brand like no other.