Catering Prep Cook

Join Our Culinary Team

At Catering by Michaels, we believe an event is more than food on a plate. Every ingredient prepared, every recipe executed, and every order completed contributes to an experience that our clients and guests remember.

Founded in 1980, Catering by Michaels is a full-service catering and events company based in Morton Grove, Illinois. We produce events throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, ranging from weddings and galas to corporate events, festivals, mitzvahs, and private celebrations.

We are looking for Prep Cooks who take pride in their work, enjoy working with fresh ingredients, and understand that great events begin with great preparation.

About Catering by Michaels

For more than four decades, we have built our reputation as one of Chicago's leading catering and events companies through quality, creativity, and execution.

• Scratch kitchen focused on quality, craftsmanship, and fresh ingredients
• Sustainability leader, certified by both Green Restaurant and Green Seal
• Experience executing major events including Lollapalooza, the NFL Draft, the Black Creativity Gala, and countless weddings, galas, and corporate events throughout Chicago
• Full-service catering and event production serving Chicago and the surrounding suburbs

Our commissary kitchen is where the work begins. The food we prepare here becomes part of events throughout Chicago.

Why This Role Matters

Great events begin long before guests arrive.

As a Commissary Prep Cook, you are an important part of the culinary production team. Your preparation, organization, and attention to detail help our chefs execute consistent, high-quality food at events throughout Chicago.

This is a high-volume production kitchen. You will spend most of your shift on your feet, working at a steady pace and preparing significant quantities of food to meet daily production schedules.

Key Responsibilities

• Wash, chop, measure, portion, and prepare ingredients for daily production
• Prepare and cook ingredients according to established recipes and production standards
• Assist Party Chefs and other culinary team members with appetizers, salads, entrees, sides, and other menu items
• Maintain consistency, quality, and proper portioning throughout production
• Prepare food orders accurately and ensure they are ready for transportation to off-site events
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary workstation throughout the shift
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures
• Work collaboratively with Prep Cooks, Party Chefs, Garde Manger, Pastry, and other kitchen team members
• Meet production deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Assist with additional kitchen duties as needed during peak production periods and holidays

Qualifications

• Previous prep cook, line cook, commissary, restaurant, or professional kitchen experience preferred
• Strong knife skills and ability to safely handle kitchen equipment
• Ability to accurately follow recipes, instructions, and production schedules
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to consistency
• Ability to multitask and maintain an efficient pace in a high-volume kitchen
• Reliable, punctual, and dependable
• Positive attitude and willingness to work as part of a team
• Flexible availability, including weekends and holidays as needed
• Must be comfortable working in a hot, fast-paced commercial kitchen
• Spanish language skills are a plus. If you speak Spanish, you will be working alongside team members who do as well

Physical Requirements

This is a physically demanding kitchen position. Candidates must be comfortable with the following:

• Standing and remaining active for the entire workday
• Lifting and carrying food, ingredients, equipment, and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds
• Working around hot ovens, cooking equipment, and other high-temperature areas
• Bending, reaching, stooping, kneeling, and moving throughout the kitchen regularly
• Working at a consistent pace for extended periods
• Performing repetitive food preparation tasks while maintaining quality and accuracy

Work Environment

Our commissary kitchen is located in Morton Grove, Illinois, and supports Catering by Michaels events throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

The kitchen is a high-volume production environment with busy periods throughout the year, particularly during the spring, summer, holiday, and event seasons. Team members are expected to work efficiently, communicate clearly, and maintain our standards even when production volume is high.

Why Work With Catering by Michaels

We have been doing this since 1980 because we care about doing things the right way. Our culinary team takes pride in preparing food from scratch and supporting events that leave a lasting impression.

Working in our commissary kitchen gives you the opportunity to build your culinary skills while contributing to weddings, corporate events, galas, festivals, and some of Chicago's most exciting catering events.

If you are dependable, work well with a team, and take pride in the food you prepare, we want to meet you.

Join Catering by Michaels and be part of the team behind the events.