ABOUT FARE
At FARE, we’re on a mission to prove that “fast food” can be real food. We’re a fast-casual restaurant serving a seasonally based, nutrition-forward, craveable menu — handcrafted from scratch daily in each location. Born and built in Chicago, FARE is growing, and we’re looking for those who care deeply about food, people, and doing things the right way.
ROLE OVERVIEW
Prep Cooks are the backbone of FARE’s kitchen. Every item on our menu is made from scratch — daily. As a Prep Cook, you’ll own a specific station and set of tasks each shift, working with real ingredients to build the flavors and foundations our guests rely on. This is a high-execution, high-standard role that rewards people who take pride in precision, consistency, and teamwork.
Our prep kitchen is organized into four specialized stations:
- Baking & Pastry
- Produce, Veg
- Proteins & Hot Prep
- Sauces & Dairy
Station assignments are determined based on team needs, experience, and skill development goals.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Average Earnings: $19–$23/hour (Base Pay + Tips + Bonus)
- Base wage of $17.05/hour plus tips and bonus opportunities
- Most Back of House Team Members earn approximately $19–$23/hour in total compensation
- Guaranteed compliance with all applicable Chicago and Illinois minimum wage requirements
- Bonus Program: Earn $5 for every guest review received for your restaurant
- Free or discounted FARE meals during shifts
- Flexible scheduling options
- Paid sick leave in accordance with Chicago and Illinois requirements
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance eligibility
- Paid training and development
- Growth opportunities across multiple Chicago locations
- A team culture rooted in Unreasonable Hospitality - we invest in our people
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Execute daily prep lists from assigned station with accuracy and efficiency
- Follow all PAR levels, shelf-life guidelines, and FIFO rotation protocols
- Produce scratch-made items including baked goods, sauces, proteins, and produce cuts to FARE spec
- Operate equipment including the Robot Coupe, mixers, slicers, and commercial ovens safely
- Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitized station throughout the shift
- Label and date all prepped items in compliance with food safety standards
- Communicate inventory needs and flag any waste or spoilage to kitchen leadership
- Collaborate cross-functionally with other prep and line cooks to support service readiness
- Arrive on time and ready to work
- Uphold FARE’s standards for food quality, hospitality, and kitchen culture
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Valid Illinois Food Handler Certificate (ANSI-CFP approved) — must be obtained within 30 days of hire if not already held; proof must be kept on-site for CDPH inspection
- Ability to follow recipes and prep guides precisely and consistently
- Strong knife skills and comfort operating commercial kitchen equipment
- Solid understanding of food safety principles: temperature control, cross-contamination, allergen awareness
- Ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment, standing for extended periods (up to 8+ hours)
- Reliable attendance and a strong work ethic
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and handle repetitive physical tasks
- Must be at least 16 years of age; applicants ages 16–17 may not operate designated hazardous equipment per Illinois law
Preferred:
- 1+ year of prep cook or line cook experience in a scratch-made or high-volume kitchen
- Familiarity with seasonal, nutrition-forward menus
- Experience using a Robot Coupe, Combi ovens or similar commercial equipment
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
FARE is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.
Pay: From $17.05 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
