Prep Chef Jobs in Waterloo, IL

A Prep Chef, also known as a preparation cook, is an integral part of the culinary industry responsible for preparing ingredients for the main cooks or chefs in a kitchen. Their tasks include washing, peeling, cutting, and chopping fruits, vegetables, and other food items, as well as cooking and preparing simple dishes. They also play a critical role in maintaining cleanliness and order in the kitchen, storing food appropriately, and ensuring the availability of fresh ingredients. Prep Chefs often work under the supervision of a head chef or cooks, thus they need to have a keen eye for detail, excellent time management skills, and the ability to work well in a fast-paced environment.

To qualify as a Prep Chef, a certificate or an associate's degree in culinary arts or a related field is usually required. However, critical skills such as culinary expertise, knife skills, understanding of food safety standards, and a strong familiarity with various cooking techniques are essential. In addition, they should also have good physical stamina to manage long hours of standing and handling kitchen equipment. Prior to progressing to the position of a Prep Chef, a person may start their culinary journey in roles such as a dishwasher, line cook or a kitchen assistant.

1-15 of 27 Jobs

Prep Cook - Fenton Chili's

  • Fenton, MO (21 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 1 day ago
  • Fenton, MO (21 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 1 day ago

Role Overview Our Heart of House Team Members are responsible for setting the pace for a great shift, every shift. They provide dependable, fast service that is absolutely Chili's. If you take...

Kitchen Prep

  • Festus, MO (17 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 2 days ago
  • Festus, MO (17 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 2 days ago

Pay Range $14 - $18 per hour depending on geographic location and local market demand Early Close / No Late Nights Great Work / Life Balance Career Growth Excellent Benefits including 401(k) with...

Food Prep Helper

  • Saint Louis, MO (22 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 5 days ago
  • Saint Louis, MO (22 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 5 days ago

and/or cold foods using a variety of kitchen utensils/equipment Clean and sanitize work stations and production equipment May have basic cooking responsibilities, i.e., cook vegetables, chicken for salads...

Meat Cutter

  • Otto, MO (15 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 6 days ago
  • Otto, MO (15 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 6 days ago

Benefits: Opportunity for advancement Training & development Benefits/Perks Paid Training Full time and Part-time positions Flexible Schedules Opportunity for advancement Company Overview Save A...

Prep cook

  • Mascoutah, IL (22 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 7 days ago
  • Mascoutah, IL (22 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 7 days ago

General responsibilities when working a Cook job assignment can include: Cook food items according to recipes and food production standards Ensure food is safely prepared and at the proper...

Banquet Prep Cook

  • Kimmswick, MO (12 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 9 days ago
  • Kimmswick, MO (12 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 9 days ago

General responsibilities when working a Cook job assignment can include: Cook food items according to recipes and food production standards Ensure food is safely prepared and at the proper...

Prep Cook - Enterprise Center

  • Saint Louis, MO (22 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 17 days ago
  • Saint Louis, MO (22 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 17 days ago

Completes orders from steam tables and grill and serves customers at multiple stations....

Prep Cook

  • Saint Louis, MO (22 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 18 days ago
  • Saint Louis, MO (22 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 18 days ago

Your Background: Great technique: you have strong knife skills Kitchen savvy: you know your weights, measurements and volumes Attention to detail: you follow all steps and techniques to ensure consistency...

Senior Meat Cutter

  • Saint Louis, MO (22 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 19 days ago
  • Saint Louis, MO (22 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 19 days ago

... As a Senior Meat Cutter you will drive sales in your area to deliver to our members more of what they love, for less. You will work collaboratively with other associates to ensure the total...

Meat Cutter and Wrapper

  • Maplewood, MO (22 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 20 days ago
  • Maplewood, MO (22 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 20 days ago

... Why do people love shopping for fresh food at Sams Club? Our members tell us one of the biggest reasons is our hard-working and happy-to-help fresh food associates. Join our meat team and you...

Food Preparation Worker

  • Saint Louis, MO (22 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 21 days ago
  • Saint Louis, MO (22 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 21 days ago

What You'll Do: As a Food Preparation Worker at Sodexo, you are a pair of helping hands and a good mood motivator....

(USA) Senior Meat Cutter

  • O Fallon, IL (24 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 22 days ago
  • O Fallon, IL (24 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 22 days ago

...** As a Senior Meat Cutter you will drive sales in your area to deliver to our members more of what they love, for less. You will work collaboratively with other associates to ensure the total...

(USA) Senior Meat Cutter

  • Belleville, IL (14 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 22 days ago
  • Belleville, IL (14 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 22 days ago

... As a Senior Meat Cutter you will drive sales in your area to deliver to our members more of what they love, for less. You will work collaboratively with other associates to ensure the total...

Prep Cook - Fairview Heights Chili's

  • Fairview Heights, IL (21 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 30+ days ago
  • Fairview Heights, IL (21 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 30+ days ago

Role Overview Our Heart of House Team Members are responsible for setting the pace for a great shift, every shift. They provide dependable, fast service that is absolutely Chili's. If you take...

Prep Cook

  • Richmond Heights, MO (24 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 30+ days ago
  • Richmond Heights, MO (24 miles from Waterloo, IL)
  • 30+ days ago

Job Details Job Title Prep Cook Posted: 5/22/2025 Location MO, St. Louis #2 The Boulevard Saint Louis Richmond Heights, MO 63117 Description IMMEDIATELY HIRING - Prep Cooks Part-Time & Full-Time...

Demographic Data for Waterloo, IL

Moving to Waterloo, IL? Find some basic demographic data about Waterloo, IL below.


Local
National
17,630
393
Medium/Sm

Prep Chef Online Courses and Training Opportunities

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Salary for Prep Chef Jobs in Waterloo, IL

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireChefs research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Prep Chef positions.



Highest Education Level

Prep Chefs in Waterloo, IL offer the following education background
High School or GED
33.2%
Associate's Degree
24.6%
Vocational Degree or Certification
17.6%
Bachelor's Degree
16.9%
Some College
3.1%
Master's Degree
2.3%
Some High School
1.8%
Doctorate Degree
0.4%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Prep Chefs in Waterloo, IL
Less than 1 year
40.5%
2-4 years
26.0%
1-2 years
22.8%
None
9.8%
8-10 years
0.9%


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