Prep Cook (Long Island City, NY)

Magnolia Bakery•New York, NY

12d•$17 - $20

About The Position

The Prep Cook prepares and bakes menu items according to recipes, production requirements, and Magnolia Bakery quality standards. The role helps maintain a safe and sanitary food-service environment while upholding the company’s SWEET Values, brand integrity, and quality. Duties include making and preparing dessert components and fillings, such as buttercream and other icings, banana pudding, cheesecakes, and ingredients for crisps and pies. The Prep Cook measures, weighs, portions, dates, and labels food according to guidelines; stocks the prep area and maintains inventory; and keeps managers informed about progress and potential shortages. The role also involves operating and cleaning kitchen equipment and work areas, preparing supplies for the next shift, and assisting other back-of-house staff when prep tasks are complete.

Requirements

High-energy, positive attitude and ability to work with a diverse group of people.
Follow policies and procedures.
Take direction well, work promptly, and ask questions when needed.
Understand the expectations and boundaries of the role.
Strong organization and time-management skills.
Ability to stand and walk for 3–5 hours without a rest break.
Ability to occasionally lift and carry moderate to heavy items, bend, and reach overhead.
Ability to perform required manual dexterity tasks and operate necessary equipment.

Responsibilities

Prepare dessert items according to production requirements, recipes, and Magnolia quality standards while maintaining a safe and sanitary work environment.
Prepare foods in advance, date food containers, and report out-of-stock items or potential shortages to the Kitchen Manager.
Follow safe food-handling practices and procedures for using equipment and cleaning supplies.
Operate and monitor equipment, including mixers, choppers, and meat slicers; follow safety procedures and sanitize the work area during and after use.
Complete the prep cook list assigned by the Production Manager and/or Production Supervisor.
Assemble ingredients and prepare foods according to standard recipes; measure, weigh, portion, and label items according to guidelines.
Prepare buttercream icing, chocolate icing, banana pudding, red velvet icing, cream cheese icings, cheesecakes, shredded carrots, chopped and toasted nuts, and ingredients for crisps and pies.
Stock the prep cook area with goods and supplies needed for the shift.
Clean the prep cook area, including walls, tables, mixers, and floors.
Stock goods for the next prep cook shift, including butter to allow it to soften.
Monitor inventory of icings and fillings and keep them stocked as needed.
Keep the Production Manager or Floor Supervisor informed about progress and low or depleted stock.
When prep tasks are complete, assist back-of-house staff with tasks such as removing cupcakes from pans, wrapping cupcakes, stocking or cleaning the baker’s refrigerator, and helping porters and cake icers.