What's involved in being a prep cook?

What exactly does a prep cook do in a restaurant setting? I'm thinking about working in the culinary field after high school and would love to learn more about the different roles I could consider.

A prep cook is a very important role in a restaurant, as they are responsible for setting the foundation for the rest of the cooking process.

In a nutshell, the main responsibilities of a prep cook are to prepare ingredients for the restaurant's dishes. This could include washing and chopping vegetables, portioning meats, or preparing sauces. The aim is to prepare every ingredient ahead of time so that when it comes to peak service time, everything is already prepped and ready for the chef to incorporate into the dishes.

Besides just preparing ingredients, prep cooks must also take the initiative to keep an inventory of their kitchen supplies. This could mean re-ordering low stock or alerting the head chef when supplies are running low.

Prep cooks also need to ensure that the kitchen is adequately sanitized and clean. This includes cleaning kitchen tools and equipment, as well as ensuring a safe and sanitary work environment.

If you're considering a culinary career post-high school, starting as a prep cook can give you a good understanding of the workings of a professional kitchen and help familiarize you with various food products and methods of preparation.

It's important to note that being a prep cook can be quite demanding physically; it involves standing for long hours, working under high temperatures and requires a good amount of physical strength. But it's a great stepping stone into the culinary world and can certainly pave the way for more advanced roles like line cook, sous chef, or even executive chef if you're passionate and willing to learn and grow!