Prep Cook

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION: Prep Cook - Retail Cafe - Orinda

CLASSIFICATION​: Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: General Manager

COMPENSATION: $19.45/HOUR

About Equator
In 1995, Equator Founders Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell began their values-driven path, roasting coffee in a Marin County, CA garage. Possessing an obsessive commitment to green coffee sourcing and unparalleled roasting expertise, Equator has committed over 30 years to sustainable and fair trade coffee practices all in the name of creating a remarkable coffee experience for consumers. Today, Equator Coffees is a retail and wholesale coffee roaster and coffee farm owner with twelve retail cafes throughout California—from Marin County to San Francisco to Oakland to Los Angeles and beyond. Throughout the years, Equator Coffees has spearheaded industry-leading sourcing and roasting practices, and has forged progressive partnerships with Michelin-starred chefs, specialty grocers, tech campuses, and more.  Women-owned, LGBTQ-founded, and an early adopter of Fair Trade and Regenerative Organic certifications, Equator Coffees is the first California coffee roaster to achieve B Corp Certification.

Position Summary 
The Prep Cook plays a key role in supporting the café’s daily operations. This position ensures all food items are prepared with consistency, quality, and care. A successful Prep Cook values food safety, follows recipes with precision, and contributes to a clean, organized, and efficient kitchen environment.

Food Preparation & Quality

• Prep all cold and hot food items using prep worksheets and standardized recipes.
• Assemble dishes to spec, ensuring consistent quality and presentation.
• Cut, peel, wash, and prepare produce.
• Follow proper knife safety procedures at all times.
• Operate ovens and hot prep equipment; ensure proper time/temp for all hot and cooked foods.
• Maintain strict adherence to food safety and quality standards to prevent cross contamination.
• Follow standardized recipes precisely — including those developed off-site by the culinary team — to ensure consistent flavor, portioning, and guest experience.

Kitchen Maintenance & Safety

• Maintain clean, food-safe prep stations, dishes, and overall kitchen environment.
• Assist with dishwashing and cleaning tasks throughout the shift.
• Take full responsibility for maintaining a clean and organized back-of-house area.

Service & Operations Support

• Receive and follow through on daily prep lists and orders.
• Support floor operations as needed, including running food to the counter or dining areas.
• In cafés without a full kitchen or stove, prepare basic recipes using pre-developed culinary guides.
• In locations where the Prep Cook is the sole back-of-house team member, take on a wider range of duties including food running, detailed cleaning tasks, and general support to keep operations flowing smoothly.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Some food preparation experience preferred.
• Ability to follow instructions, take direction, and work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Sense of urgency and a hospitable attitude toward guests and coworkers.
• Ability to maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, leadership, and customers.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Must maintain a current state-issued Food Handler Card.
• Must be 16 years of age or older.

Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to see, talk, and hear. The employee frequently has to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee also must use hands to handle, feel, and reach. Must be able to stand and exert well-paced mobility for periods of up to 4 hours in length. Required to frequently wash hands and may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment 
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This job operates in a kitchen and may be working near co-workers. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Hazards may include, but are not limited to, cuts, slipping, and tripping.

Compensation

• Available to all employees
• Commuter Benefits - pre-tax parking and transit
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Physical and mental health, financial and legal coaching available at no cost to the employee 
• Free mental health app subscription
• Employee discount on merchandise, coffee gear, and at Equator cafes
• Continuing coffee education classes
• Free coffee
• Paid Time Off for voting on Election Day
• After 60 days as an employee at Equator
• Healthcare Benefits (for full-time employees working over 30 hours per week)
• 100% employer-covered premium medical insurance 
• Voluntary Insurance Plans - dental, vision, long-term disability, pet, and supplementary life insurance
• Employer covered life insurance premium
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) - healthcare and daily dependent care
• After 90 days as an employee at Equator
• Holiday Pay after 90 days of employment. Eight Equator-observed holidays per year
• Paid Time Off with tenured increases for full-time employees
• 1 paid volunteer day per year 
• After six months as an employee at Equator
• 401K with up to a 4% company match on employee contributions

Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

We’d love for you to use the video answer feature for our screening questions! It’s a great way for us to get a better sense of your experience and how comfortable you are discussing your skills. Plus, it helps us see your personality and passion for the role!

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by p eople assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. Job responsibilities can change according to the operational needs of the business. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant.  

Equator Coffees is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, and discharge will be based on competence, performance and the business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.