Orange County - Cook & Prep-Cook

Job Title

Prep Cook (Corporate Dining & Catering Events) – Orange County

Company

The Party Staff, Inc.

Location

Assignments take place within a 25-mile radius of our Costa Mesa office, covering the following areas:

North Orange County:

Anaheim, Fullerton, Brea, Placentia, Buena Park

Central Orange County:

Irvine, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana

South Orange County:

Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, San Clemente

Assignments include corporate kitchens, universities, catering partners, private clubs, hotels, resorts, and event venues throughout the region.

About Us

The Party Staff, Inc. is the West Coast's leading hospitality staffing company with more than 36 years of experience. We partner with corporate dining programs, universities, caterers, private clubs, hotels, resorts, and event venues to provide reliable, professional culinary staff. Due to continued growth in the Orange County market, we are expanding our back-of-house team and seeking dependable, experienced Prep Cooks interested in consistent weekday morning work.

Position Summary

The Prep Cook supports daily food production in professional kitchen environments, including corporate cafeterias, university dining facilities, hotels, catering kitchens, and catered events. This is a flexible, on-call position ideal for experienced culinary professionals who are comfortable working morning shifts, can perform food preparation duties with minimal supervision, and thrive in fast-paced kitchen environments.

Typical Shifts

Morning shifts, generally Monday through Friday, with start times as early as 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM. Shift length and schedule vary based on client needs.

Work opportunities are based on client demand and employee availability.

Key Responsibilities

· Prepare vegetables, meats, seafood, sauces, and other ingredients according to recipes and production schedules

· Wash, peel, chop, dice, slice, portion, and organize ingredients for service

· Assist chefs and line cooks with food preparation and kitchen production

· Maintain clean, organized, and sanitary workstations throughout the shift

· Label, date, rotate, and properly store food items

· Follow food safety, sanitation, and temperature control guidelines at all times

· Operate commercial kitchen equipment safely and efficiently

· Assist with receiving, stocking, and organizing kitchen inventory

· Support kitchen opening and closing duties, including cleaning and restocking

· Follow company policies, uniform standards, and safety procedures

Qualifications

· Minimum one (1) year of recent professional Prep Cook or commercial kitchen experience in a restaurant, catering company, corporate dining program, hotel, country club, or institutional food service environment

· Ability to perform food preparation duties with minimal supervision

· Weekday morning availability is required

· Strong knife skills and familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment

· Knowledge of proper food handling, sanitation, and kitchen safety procedures

· Possession of a valid California Food Handler Card or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire

· Ability to reliably report to assigned work locations throughout Orange County within a 25-mile radius of Costa Mesa

· Strong work ethic, punctuality, attention to detail, and teamwork skills

Availability Requirements

· Weekday morning availability is required.

· Most assignments begin between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM.

· Availability Monday through Friday is strongly preferred.

· Additional evening and weekend opportunities may become available based on client demand.

· Work opportunities are offered based on client needs, employee availability, qualifications, and performance.

Physical Requirements

· Ability to stand and walk for 6 to 10 hours per shift

· Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation

· Ability to bend, reach, stoop, kneel, and perform repetitive motions

· Ability to work in hot kitchen environments and occasionally outdoors

· The physical demands described above represent the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Work Environment

· Professional kitchen and culinary team environments

· Fast-paced food production with structured service timelines

· Assignments issued through mobile scheduling; flexibility is essential

Employment Classification

This is an on-call, non-exempt position. Work opportunities are based on client demand and employee availability. The Party Staff does not guarantee a minimum number of hours or assignments.

Compensation

· Starting pay: $21.00 per hour

· Higher starting rates may be considered based on experience, qualifications, and client needs

Notices

Fair Chance Consideration

The Party Staff will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act and applicable state and federal laws. A criminal history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Party Staff, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to any characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace free from discrimination and harassment.

Reasonable Accommodation

The Party Staff provides reasonable accommodations throughout the application and hiring process for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, consistent with applicable law. Applicants requiring an accommodation may contact Human Resources.

At-Will Employment

Nothing in this job posting should be construed as creating an employment contract or guarantee of employment. Employment with The Party Staff, Inc. is at will, where permitted by applicable law.