Prep Cook

Mavericks Performance & Training Center Prep Cook

The Mavericks Performance & Training Center serves as the primary training, practice, performance, and hospitality facility for the Dallas Mavericks NBA organization. Designed to support elite athletic performance and world-class hospitality operations, the facility combines premium amenities, elevated food-and-beverage experiences, and a culture centered on professionalism, teamwork, discipline, and excellence.

The hospitality operation supports players, coaches, executives, corporate partners, VIP guests, and special events throughout the year. Operating in a dynamic, high-performance environment, the Mavericks Performance & Training Center seeks culinary professionals passionate about food preparation, operational excellence, and delivering exceptional hospitality experiences.

This is a unique opportunity to join one of the most respected organizations in professional basketball and contribute to a culinary operation that upholds the same standards of preparation, consistency, and discipline that define the Dallas Mavericks.

Position Summary

The Prep Cook is responsible for preparing ingredients, organizing production, and supporting all culinary operations to ensure efficient and consistent execution across the facility. This role serves as a critical foundation of the kitchen operation by ensuring that all products are prepared, organized, and ready for service in accordance with established recipes and production standards.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, dependable, detail-oriented, and committed to maintaining quality and consistency in all aspects of food preparation. This position supports player dining, executive dining, VIP hospitality, catering functions, and daily food service operations throughout the Mavericks Performance & Training Center.

Core Responsibilities

• Prepare ingredients according to recipes, production sheets, and culinary specifications.
• Wash, peel, cut, slice, dice, chop, portion, and prepare fruits, vegetables, proteins, sauces, and other ingredients.
• Assist in preparing stocks, soups, sauces, dressings, marinades, and other foundational products.
• Accurately measure ingredients and follow recipes with consistency.
• Complete daily prep lists efficiently and accurately.
• Support culinary leadership in maintaining production schedules and operational readiness.
• Assist with banquet, catering, hospitality, and special event preparation as needed.

Operational Excellence

• Maintain organized and fully stocked prep stations and production areas.
• Ensure proper labeling, dating, rotation, and storage of all products.
• Monitor inventory levels and communicate shortages to culinary leadership.
• Assist with receiving deliveries and properly storing products.
• Maintain production efficiency while meeting quality standards and deadlines.
• Support kitchen organization and operational flow throughout all culinary areas.

Food Safety & Sanitation

• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations.
• Maintain proper food-handling, storage, and temperature-control procedures.
• Ensure workstations, equipment, and prep areas remain clean and sanitized.
• Follow company safety policies and operational procedures.
• Participate in daily, weekly, and deep-cleaning assignments.
• Maintain a safe and organized work environment at all times.

Teamwork & Professionalism

• Work collaboratively with culinary leadership, line cooks, and fellow prep team members.
• Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and a positive attitude.
• Support multiple kitchen stations and departments as operational needs require.
• Accept coaching and feedback, and demonstrate a willingness to learn and develop.
• Maintain professional appearance and grooming standards.
• Contribute to a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Hospitality Support

• Understand the role that quality preparation plays in delivering exceptional hospitality experiences.
• Support culinary operations serving players, coaches, executives, VIP guests, and corporate partners.
• Take pride in preparing products that contribute to world-class food and hospitality experiences.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and commitment to excellence in every task.

Qualifications & Experience Required Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of kitchen, food preparation, or culinary experience preferred.
• Basic understanding of food preparation techniques and kitchen operations.
• Ability to follow recipes, prep sheets, and production schedules.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team.
• Food Handler Certification required or ability to obtain upon hire.
• Flexible schedule including mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in restaurants, hotels, catering, private clubs, sports hospitality, or high-volume food service operations.
• Culinary school training or formal culinary education.
• Experience working with large-scale food production.
• Knowledge of basic knife skills and food safety procedures.

Core Competencies

• Organization & Preparation
• Attention to Detail
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Time Management
• Accountability
• Dependability
• Food Safety Awareness
• Adaptability
• Sense of Urgency
• Professionalism

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Fast-paced culinary and professional sports environment.
• Extended periods of standing and walking.
• Frequent bending, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and repetitive motions.
• Ability to regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent exposure to refrigeration units, freezers, kitchen equipment, and production environments.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events as business demands require.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform essential job functions.

Why Join Mavericks Performance & Training Center

The Prep Cook role offers an opportunity to build a strong culinary foundation within one of the most unique hospitality and food service operations in professional sports. Team members gain exposure to high-level culinary production, player dining, executive dining, catering, VIP hospitality, and special event execution while working alongside experienced culinary professionals.

The successful candidate will join a culture committed to excellence, teamwork, discipline, and continuous improvement while developing valuable culinary skills within the Dallas Mavericks organization.

We run background checks on all new hires in this position.