Prep Cook

  • ZeroCater
  • New York, New York
  • Full Time

As a Prep Cook with Zerocater, you'll support our onsite culinary operations within a valued client partner kitchen. In this role, you'll play a key part in ensuring smooth and efficient meal service across all dayparts by preparing ingredients, cooking breakfast items, and supporting mise en place for lunch and dinner. You'll maintain a clean and organized kitchen, follow food safety standards, and collaborate closely with both Zerocater colleagues and client teams. This is a hands-on role that reflects Zerocater's commitment to quality, hospitality, and operational excellence.

What you will do:

  • Food Prep & Execution: Prepare and cook meals across breakfast, lunch, and dinner; follow standardized recipes and portioning guidelines to ensure quality and consistency.
  • Kitchen Organization: Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary kitchen environment; support daily setup, breakdown, and compliance with DOH and client food safety standards.
  • Inventory Management: Receive, label, and rotate stock; monitor usage, report variances, and help maintain proper par levels for all meal periods.
  • Team & Client Collaboration: Partner with client kitchen staff and Zerocater team to ensure seamless service and uphold a professional, solutions-oriented presence.
  • Communication & Readiness: Proactively report shortages or equipment needs; ensure stations are fully stocked and prepped for each service period.

Qualifications for Success:

  • 1+ year of prep cook experience in a professional kitchen, catering operation, or commissary setting
  • Experience with multi-day part prep (breakfast/lunch/dinner) strongly preferred
  • Familiarity with food safety regulations and commercial kitchen best practices
  • Comfortable working in fast-paced, high-volume environments
  • ServSafe certification (manager ServSafe certification preferred)

Physical requirements:

  • Able to lift at least 40 pounds
  • Able to walk up and down flights of stairs
  • Able to stand & walk for 3-4 hours on shift

Compensation:

  • Pay rate $26-$29 per hour
  • You must have the availability to start between 5:00 AM - 6:00 AM depending on service needs
  • This is a full-time position. A typical schedule is 30-40 hours per week.

What we offer:

Not only will you have the opportunity to grow your career with other food-obsessed colleagues who have a shared passion for creating delight for customers, but you will also work alongside a highly collaborative team that values leading with trust and respect, and taking smart risks.

  • 401k match with immediate vesting (we match up to 3% of up to 6% that you defer)
  • 2 weeks of PTO, 11 paid holidays, 5 days of sick time, plus 8 hours of volunteer time
  • Low to no-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage (Anthem Blue Cross)
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that addresses the mental and emotional
  • well-being of our team members
  • Employer-paid life, short-term and long-term disability insurance
  • $100 monthly wellness stipend
  • $35 monthly cell phone stipend
  • Equity

"The shared meal elevates eating from a mechanical process of fueling the body to a ritual of family and community, from the mere animal biology to an act of culture."

  • Michael Pollan

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at Zerocater. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexualorientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at ....

Job ID: 489057296
Originally Posted on: 8/12/2025

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