Hospitality & Food

How to become a Prep Cook

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

1–4 weeks

Typical pay

$30k–$38k

Starting from

No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required — not just course length.

The route

1. 1

   1–7 days

   Apply anywhere with a kitchen

   The single fastest door into paid kitchen work. No experience expected.

   Typical titles at this level

   • Prep Cook
   • Kitchen Assistant
2. 2

   1 day

   Get your food handler card

   Required in most states, cheap, and done online in an afternoon.

   ◆ State food handler card

   Course that covers thisFood Safety and Hygiene Level 2Udemy · around $19.99 →
3. 3

   2–6 months

   Learn knife skills and mise en place

   Consistency and speed. Every station above this one assumes both.

   Course that covers thisHospitality and Culinary Arts Careers – Culinary FoundationsUdemy · around $19.99 →
4. 4

   3–12 months

   Move to a line station

   Ask for it. Kitchens promote whoever shows up and keeps up.

5. ✓

   Destination

   Prep Cook

   Browse jobs now →

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