Prep Cook / Dishwasher

HOMETOWN COFFEE & JUICE•Lake Forest, IL

12h•Onsite

About The Position

At Hometown Coffee & Juice, a successful service starts with a kitchen that is prepped, clean, organized, and ready to go. As a Prep Cook / Dishwasher, you'll play an essential role in making that happen by supporting both food preparation and dishwashing throughout your shift. You'll prepare ingredients and menu components according to Hometown recipes and standards, while also helping maintain a steady flow of clean dishes, utensils, cookware, and kitchen equipment. This is a hands-on, fast-paced role that requires flexibility, organization, attention to detail, and a team-first mindset. Your work directly supports the kitchen's ability to deliver speed, consistency, quality, and a great experience to every customer.

Requirements

Previous prep, dishwasher, or kitchen experience is preferred, but we are happy to train the right person.
Basic knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.
ServSafe certification is preferred or can be obtained upon hiring.
Basic knife skills or a willingness to learn.
Strong organization, attention to detail, and commitment to cleanliness.
Ability to work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
Willingness to move between prep, dishwashing, cleaning, and other kitchen responsibilities throughout the shift.
Ability to stand and move throughout the kitchen for extended periods.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Ability to safely handle pots, pans, dishes, ingredients, and kitchen equipment.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced kitchen environment that may include heat, water, and frequent movement.

Responsibilities

Complete assigned prep tasks accurately and within expected timelines.
Follow recipes, batch guidelines, portion standards, and production procedures.
Properly portion, label, date, store, and rotate prepared products.
Maintain an organized prep area and keep ingredients and equipment ready for the next task.
Complete prep lists to help ensure the kitchen is prepared for service.
Communicate prep progress, low stock, product concerns, or other needs to kitchen leadership.
Wash, rinse, sanitize, and organize dishes, utensils, cookware, and kitchen equipment according to Hometown standards.
Maintain a steady flow of clean dishes and equipment throughout the shift, especially during busy service periods.
Prioritize dishwashing needs based on kitchen volume and operational needs.
Inspect dishes and utensils to ensure they are properly cleaned and sanitized before returning them to service.
Maintain appropriate levels of cleaning and dishwashing supplies and communicate when items are running low.
Keep prep areas, the dish area, sinks, counters, floors, storage areas, and surrounding equipment clean and organized.
Properly dispose of trash and recyclables and support overall BOH cleanliness.
Maintain organized storage areas and assist with inventory organization as needed.
Clean and reset work areas throughout the shift so they are ready for the next task or teammate.
Support additional cleaning and kitchen tasks based on the needs of the shift.
Follow all Hometown food safety, sanitation, and safety procedures.
Use proper FIFO, labeling, dating, storage, and rotation practices.
Help prevent cross-contamination by following proper food handling and sanitation procedures.
Safely use knives, kitchen equipment, dishwashing equipment, and cleaning products.
Monitor product quality and communicate concerns to kitchen leadership promptly.
Follow portion and production standards to minimize waste and protect food cost.
Use ingredients and supplies efficiently and avoid unnecessary overproduction or waste.
Stay aware of what the kitchen needs and shift priorities as business volume changes.
Take pride in completing work accurately and leaving your workspace clean, stocked, and ready.
Move between prep, dish, cleaning, and other BOH responsibilities as needed to support the team.
Work closely with kitchen leadership and teammates to keep operations running smoothly.
Follow direction, communicate clearly, and ask questions when clarification is needed.
Bring a positive, dependable, respectful, and collaborative approach to every shift.
Support teammates wherever needed during busy periods.
Support Hometown's culture by learning our standards, helping others succeed, and bringing those values to life every day.