Prep Cook - Food Hall

Wind Creek Hospitality; East Hazel Crest (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Wind Creek Hospitality is seeking a Prep Cook for our Illinois property to ensure timely, high-quality food preparation. You will set up line stations, assemble items to spec, and maintain a clean, organized kitchen with strict food-handling practices.

The role requires experience in high-volume cooking, Serve Safe sanitation training, and the ability to work both independently and within a team across flexible hours, with eligibility for discretionary bonuses.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required or currently enrolled and complete GED within 6 months.
• Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
• One (1) year high-volume cooking experience, culinary schooling, and/or banquet cooking experience preferred.
• Able to respond to visual and audible cues.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to read and follow English instructions and recipes.
• Must complete Serve Safe Sanitation training.
• Willing to work odd hours and travel for training.

Responsibilities

• Adheres to methods of food preparation, cooking, portion control, and garnishing.
• Uses a variety of kitchen knives safely.
• Prepares dressings, sauces, marinades, canapés, hors d’oeuvres, and buffet items.
• Operates kitchen equipment safely according to protocols.
• Maintains a clean and organized kitchen workspace.
• Follows recipes and daily prep lists.
• Supports sanitation and safety standards.
• Reads promotions and station assignments from pre-shift information.
• Assists with special projects as directed.

Skills

High-volume cooking

English communication

Serve Safe Sanitation

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Job Overview

The Prep Cook is responsible for the timely preparation of food items according to recipes and quality standards. Sets up line cooking stations. Prepares menu items at proper cook stations including pantry, grill, broiler, sauté, and garde manger. Assembles food onto dishes according to written specifications, adhering to quality standards when required. Exercises proper handling of food items and maintain an organized work area including all refrigeration and storage areas.

Description

Job Overview

The Prep Cook is responsible for the timely preparation of food items according to recipes and quality standards. Sets up line cooking stations. Prepares menu items at proper cook stations including pantry, grill, broiler, sauté, and garde manger. Assembles food onto dishes according to written specifications, adhering to quality standards when required. Exercises proper handling of food items and maintain an organized work area including all refrigeration and storage areas.

Purpose

Our genuine engagement and positive energy provide guests an escape from their routine into our exciting fantasy world of fun, chance, and possibility, where everyone feels a sense of belonging and importance.

Value System

Our enthusiastic commitment to our purpose inspires and empowers us to do everything right, have fun, and be the best.We will be recognized fairly, elevating our levels of personal accountability, and focus on our customer.The resulting creation of wealth will grow opportunities for all.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Adheres to company methods of food preparation, cooking, portion control, and garnishing
• Sharpens and handles various kitchen knives
• Slices, dices and chops fruits, vegetables, cheeses and cooked meats, poultry and seafood
• Prepares dressings, sauces, marinades, canapés, hors d’oeuvres, buffet items
• Demonstrate the ability to safely operate a variety of kitchen equipment in accordance with established safety protocols and guidelines
• Maintain a clean and organized kitchen workspace
• Handles meat, seafood, poultry and produce according to proper food-handling procedures
• Reads and follows recipes/specifications
• Rotates product; Adheres to all sanitation standards in kitchen
• Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly
• Reads and retains all pertinent information regarding daily promotions, food and beverage specials, property promotions, station assignments and scheduled entertainment from disseminated pre-shift information
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality
• Assumes special projects as needed at the direction of the immediate supervisor
• Other duties & responsibilities as assigned

Job Requirements

(please ensure you meet the listed requirements prior to applying)

• High School diploma or GED required or currently enrolled and successfully complete a GED program within 6 months from start date as a condition of continued employment
• Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older
• One (1) year high volume cooking experience, culinary schooling, and/or banquet cooking experience-preferred
• Must be able to respond to visual and audible cues
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team; must be able to deal effectively with diverse departments and have flexibility to work in an ever-changing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and communicate, in English, effectively both verbally and in writing, and understand and carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram formats
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and prep list in English; Ability to effectively present, in English, information in one-on-one situations with staff and other employees of the organization; Ability to follow direction and recipes
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as measurements, proportions, and volumes
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear and taste or smell; occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is occasionally exposed to hot, wet and/or humid (indoor) conditions and hot liquids and surfaces. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• Must possess a high level of maturity, dependability, and punctuality
• Must successfully complete Serve Safe Sanitation training
• Willing to work odd and irregular hours
• Willing to travel and participate in training as recommended or required
• Must have an Occupational License (or the ability to obtain and maintain a license) pursuant to the Illinois Gaming Act and remain in good standing with the Illinois Gaming Board as a requirement for this position

Base Pay

• Compensation: $16.00–$20.65 per hour, with starting pay based on factors such as experience, qualifications, and skills.
• Benefits: Eligible full-time employees may choose from a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Additional benefits include an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), paid time off, a 401(k) plan with company match, shift differential pay, and discretionary quarterly bonus opportunities.