Prep Chef Jobs in Wauconda, 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.
Prep Cook - Streamwood Chili's
- Streamwood, IL (17 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 1 day ago
- Streamwood, IL (17 miles from Wauconda, 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...
- Barrington, IL (8 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 1 day ago
- Barrington, IL (8 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 1 day ago
*Opportunity for promotion* Company Overview: Founded in 1929, Heinen’s is a premier grocery store chain noted for its quality products and outstanding customer service. Heinen’s has now welcomed...
- Kildeer, IL (8 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 1 day ago
- Kildeer, IL (8 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 1 day ago
Successfully completed WFM Butcher Apprentice Program, or an equivalent training program.* * UK Exceptions may apply Physical Requirements/Working Conditions Must be able to lift 5 0 pounds....
- Vernon Hills, IL (9 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 1 day ago
- Vernon Hills, IL (9 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 1 day ago
Job Details Job Title Prep Cook Posted: 7/10/2025 Salary: $18.31 / hour Location IL, Vernon Hills 307 Hawthorn Center Vernon Hills, IL 60061 Description IMMEDIATELY HIRING - Prep Cooks Part-Time &...
- Kildeer, IL (8 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 2 days ago
- Kildeer, IL (8 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 2 days ago
Successfully completed WFM Butcher Apprentice Program, or an equivalent training program.* * UK Exceptions may apply Physical Requirements/Working Conditions Must be able to lift 5 0 pounds....
Culinary Aide - Memory Care - Part-time - Afternoons
- Northbrook, IL (18 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 5 days ago
- Northbrook, IL (18 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 5 days ago
Arden Courts Northbrook is hiring a part-time Culinary (Dietary) Aide for 4 hour shifts As a Culinary Aide you assist the Food Service Coordinator and/or cook in maintaining a clean kitchen area...
- Schaumburg, IL (16 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 9 days ago
- Schaumburg, IL (16 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 9 days ago
Our founding belief at Bonefish Grill is that, if we take care of our people, Bonefish will take care of itself....
- Vernon Hills, IL (9 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 10 days ago
- Vernon Hills, IL (9 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 10 days ago
$15 per hour - $21 per hour Our Prep Cooks make all the magic possible. They put their heart into ensuring the kitchen and line is properly stocked with the necessary items to complete food orders...
- Palatine, IL (12 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 10 days ago
- Palatine, IL (12 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 10 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...
- Algonquin, IL (12 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 14 days ago
- Algonquin, IL (12 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 14 days ago
be at least 18 years of age Previous prep or line cook experience preferred An individual who thrives in a team-based environment Basic knowledge of professional cooking and experience with basic knife...
Cold Kitchen Non Halal - Kitchen Helper
- Des Plaines, IL (19 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 14 days ago
- Des Plaines, IL (19 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 14 days ago
Assist with making sauces or salads, and marinating foods. Ensure adequacy of supplies at the cooking stations. Assist senior team members in the running of a busy kitchen....
- Schaumburg, IL (16 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 15 days ago
- Schaumburg, IL (16 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 15 days ago
Job Summary:To produce and maintain the quality of menu items assigned to your station according to the company's menu recipes and specifications. To ensure the company's, safety, sanitation and...
- Grayslake, IL (5 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 15 days ago
- Grayslake, IL (5 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 15 days ago
Click here to see - A Day in The Life - Meat Cutter A Day in the Life: As a Meat Cutter, you will be on the cutting edge with our beef, poultry, and other meat products, and you must be willing to...
- Northbrook, IL (18 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 18 days ago
- Northbrook, IL (18 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 18 days ago
The Fresh Market & You: Our mission is to make everyday eating extraordinary for our guests, and we are looking for a new team member who will commit to helping us deliver on this mission. Our...
- Northbrook, IL (18 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 19 days ago
- Northbrook, IL (18 miles from Wauconda, IL)
- 19 days ago
Great work/life balance Scratch based food preparation, preferred Joining a tenured and experienced culinary team Chef-driven concepts and progressive training Professional kitchen environment experience...
Demographic Data for Wauconda, IL
Moving to Wauconda, IL? Find some basic demographic data about Wauconda, IL below.
Prep Chef Online Courses and Training Opportunities
Salary for Prep Chef Jobs in Wauconda, IL
Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Prep Chef positions.
Highest Education Level
Prep Chefs in Wauconda, IL offer the following education backgroundQualifications / Skill Sets
The following top skills are often required or desired to land a Prep Chef position
- Wellness
- Pasta
- Portion Control
- Scratch Cooking
- Sauce Making
- Seafood
- Grilling
- Knife Skills
- Food Quality
- Soup Making
- Fryer
- Dessert Making
- Casual Dining
- Butchering
- Back of House
- Prep Work
- Vegetarian Cuisine
- Food Handling
- Food Preparation
- Salads
- Food Plating
- Dishwashing
- Sanitation
- Quality of Service
- Baking
- Food and Beverage Management
- Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point
- Food Safety
- Cooking
- Merchandising
- Housekeeping
- Packaging
- Stocking
- Closing
- Purchasing
- Retail
- High School Diploma
- Punctual
- Friendliness
- Education Experience
- Inventory Management
- Regulations
- Multitasking
- English
- Policy Development
- Problem Solving
- Sales
- Teamwork
- Organization
- Customer Service
- Scheduling
- Leadership
- Communication Skills
Other Career Titles
Here are some other career titles that require similar skills
Prep Chef Related Career Advice Articles

How to Become a Chef
Thinking of launching a career as a chef? This guide will tell you everything you need to know – from how long it takes to become a chef to how to get a job as a chef (and more).
Read article »
What Makes a Restaurant Sustainable?
In terms of restaurant management, sustainability is more than just a buzzword or an offshoot of the “farm-to-table” craze.
Read article »
Training to Be a Chef
If you are interested in becoming a chef and are looking for basic information on how to make that dream a reality, read our companion article “How to Become a Chef.” However, if you have already given the idea much thought and simply need a few facts regarding prices, prestige, and programs offered by some of the top culinary schools in the US, you have come to the right place.
Read article »