PREP COOK

Prep Cook

Mercado is seeking a dedicated, reliable, and experienced Prep Cook to join our fast-paced, dynamic kitchen team. This position plays a vital role in our back-of-house operations, balancing hands-on food preparation with maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and organization. The ideal candidate is hardworking, detail-oriented, and committed to supporting a smooth and efficient culinary environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist chefs and the kitchen manager with food preparation, including chopping vegetables, slicing meats, preparing sauces, and other mise en place.
• Accurately measure, portion, and organize ingredients in line with standardized recipes.
• Stock and set up prep stations, ensuring all supplies and ingredients are ready for service.
• Label, date, and store food properly while consistently following FIFO standards.
• Follow recipes and prep instructions from chefs and supervisors with precision.
• Maintain clean, safe, and organized prep areas at all times.
• Support overall kitchen cleanliness by removing trash, sweeping, mopping, and completing other cleaning duties as needed.
• Wash dishes, utensils, pots, and pans (both manually and with commercial dishwashing equipment), stepping in to cover dishwasher shifts or assist as needed.
• Keep dishwashing and kitchen areas sanitized, orderly, and fully stocked with clean wares.
• Strictly follow all food safety, health, and sanitation guidelines to uphold Mercado's high standards.

Requirements:

• Prior prep cook experience is required.
• Strong knife skills and solid understanding of prep techniques.
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen environment.
• Excellent time management, multitasking, and attention to detail.
• Physical stamina to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Familiarity with kitchen tools, equipment, and food safety best practices.
• Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

This is a great opportunity for someone who takes pride in their work, values teamwork, and is eager to grow with a professional culinary team.