Prep Chef Jobs in California

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 230 Jobs

Prep Cook

  • Berkeley, CA
  • 2 hours ago
  • Berkeley, CA
  • 2 hours ago

Required Years of Experience 0-1 years Job Details Hello, We are looking to hire a prep cook/dish washer with some kitchen experience for Friday and Saturday nights. Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya is...

Experienced Prep Cook For Catering Company $18 - $22 +/hr + Tips

  • San Diego, CA
  • 7 hours ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 7 hours ago

Bekker's Catering is looking for an experienced prep cook to join our team. Please email your resume, work history, and availability. (Weekends are Required) Shift Usually Starts at 6am / 8am....

Dishwasher + Prep Cook / Japanese Restaurant

  • Los Angeles, CA
  • 7 hours ago
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • 7 hours ago

Japanese restaurant hiring for dishwasher/prep cook. Experience preferred. Please send contact info. Thank you!

Prep Cook/Fry Cook

  • Eureka, CA
  • 7 hours ago
  • Eureka, CA
  • 7 hours ago

The Cafe Marina on Woodley's Island is looking for a Fry cook 4 nights a week Tues & Wed and Sat & Sun 3-close. This position is designed for an individual that multitasks well and thrives in a...

(USA) Senior Meat Cutter

  • Redlands, CA
  • 10 hours ago
  • Redlands, CA
  • 10 hours 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...

Food Preparation Worker

  • San Diego, CA
  • 11 hours ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 11 hours ago

., cook vegetables, chicken for salads....

Food Prep Cold Production, FT Days

  • Whittier, CA
  • 12 hours ago
  • Whittier, CA
  • 12 hours ago

Performs a variety of tasks associated with the preparation and serving of salads, sandwiches, desserts, supplemental and enteral feedings and snacks using tally sheets and recipes for patients, Jazzman...

Meat Cutter

  • Burbank, CA
  • 20 hours ago
  • Burbank, CA
  • 20 hours ago

Job Introduction The Meat Cutter is responsible for providing a high level of customer service and practicing safe food handling procedures....

Hot Kitchen Non Halal - Kitchen Helper

  • Redondo Beach, CA
  • 20 hours ago
  • Redondo Beach, CA
  • 20 hours ago

kitchen tasks, such as preparation of hot and cold meals (Halal and/or Non-Halal) Prepare food by washing, chopping, and dicing vegetables using knife or peeling machine(s) Assist with making sauces, salads...

Kitchen / prep assistant

  • Murrieta, CA
  • 1 day ago
  • Murrieta, CA
  • 1 day ago

Busy Mediterranean restaurant looking for a kitchen/ prep assistant Minimum 1 year experience in restaurants back of the house operations

Full Time Butcher

  • South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • 1 day ago
  • South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • 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....

Prep Cook Jobs Available in San Diego ($20/Hour)

  • San Diego, CA
  • 1 day ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 1 day ago

We are hiring Prep Cooks with shifts starting 3/17. This is a full time, long term assignment. Job: Cook Pay: $20/Hour Event Date: 3/17/25 Key Responsibilities: * Prepare ingredients and assist in...

Prep Cook

  • Palm Springs, CA
  • 1 day ago
  • Palm Springs, CA
  • 1 day ago

Please have experience with knife skills, working in a clean and organized manner, and have a valid food handlers card....

Looking for a dishwasher/food prep

  • Chatsworth, CA
  • 1 day ago
  • Chatsworth, CA
  • 1 day ago

Looking for one person to be a food prep and part-time dishwasher for our growing food program! Qualifications *Available on weekends* Be 18 years of age or older A current California Food...

Catering Driver & Prep Cook

  • Corona, CA
  • 1 day ago
  • Corona, CA
  • 1 day ago

Wedgewood Weddings & Events is looking for a Catering Driver & Prep Cook to support our culinary team by ensuring seamless food deliveries and assisting with kitchen operations. If you thrive in a...

Demographic Data for California

Moving to California? Find some basic demographic data about California below.


Local
National
39,536,271
996,598

Prep Chef Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireChefs curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Chef for DevOps: The Basics of Chef
Chef offers a suite of software automation solutions to help with the top to bottom management of deployments, primarily revolving around bringing infrastructure and applications from development...
Chef for DevOps: Practical Uses of Chef
One of the things to consider when using Chef is what kind of installation you need. Chef architecture planning is important as details need to be thought of and planned for early. Through this...
Chef for DevOps: Managing Infrastructure Using Chef
Explore the implementation of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Chef for DevOps, including core principles, benefits, and components of Chef that are involved in implementing IaC in this 11-video...

Salary for Prep Chef Jobs in California

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 California offer the following education background
High School or GED
33.5%
Associate's Degree
24.4%
Vocational Degree or Certification
17.5%
Bachelor's Degree
16.8%
Some College
3.2%
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 California
Less than 1 year
40.5%
2-4 years
26.0%
1-2 years
22.8%
None
9.8%
8-10 years
0.9%


Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills



Prep Chef Related Career Advice Articles

How to become a chef
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 »
Closeup of sustainably sourced ingredients
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 »
Private chef cooking in home kitchen
Private Chef vs. Personal Chef

Are you considering a career as a private or personal chef? Is there even a difference? These two positions may be synonymous in some circles and require very similar skills, but there is one distinct difference: private chefs are employed by a single client, whereas personal chefs may work for a number of clients at any given time.

Read article »