Prep Cook

Department: Food & Beverage

Reports To: Director, Food & Beverage

Status: Part-Time, Non-Exempt 

Be a Part of Something Bigger Than a Job 

At Forest Theater, we’re not simply restoring a historic landmark. We’re helping shape the future of South Dallas. As a key initiative of Forest Forward, the reimagined Forest Theater will serve as a hub for arts, education, culture, and economic opportunity. Every role on our team contributes to a larger mission: creating pathways for individuals, families, and communities to thrive. 

As a Prep Cook, you play an important role in creating exceptional culinary experiences for guests attending performances, community events, private functions, and special programs. Through your commitment to quality, teamwork, and hospitality, you’ll help deliver food and beverage experiences that enhance every visit to Forest Theater while supporting a venue that celebrates culture, creativity, and community connection. 

Position Summary 

The Prep Cook supports the daily operations of the kitchen by preparing ingredients, maintaining food safety standards, and assisting culinary leadership with food production for performances, private events, community gatherings, and hospitality programs. This role is responsible for ensuring ingredients are properly prepared, stored, and organized while helping maintain a clean, safe, and efficient kitchen environment. 

Working closely with the Executive Chef, Sous Chefs, and culinary team, the Prep Cook helps deliver high-quality food experiences while supporting Forest Theater’s commitment to excellence, hospitality, and community engagement. This position is ideal for an individual who is dependable, detail-oriented, eager to learn, and passionate about food, service, and teamwork. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Food Preparation & Production 

• Prepare ingredients, seasonings, stocks, sauces, and other food items according to recipes, production sheets, and culinary standards. 
• Follow daily preparation lists and instructions provided by culinary leadership. 
• Assist with the preparation of menu items for performances, events, catering functions, and hospitality operations. 
• Support chefs with food preparation, cooking assistance, and other culinary tasks as assigned. 
• Ensure food items are properly labeled, stored, and organized for efficient kitchen operations. 

Food Safety & Quality Control 

• Maintain the highest standards of food quality, presentation, and consistency. 
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and health department requirements. 
• Monitor food temperatures and maintain appropriate temperature logs and related documentation. 
• Assist with receiving and inspecting deliveries to ensure product quality and freshness. 
• Ensure proper handling, storage, and rotation of ingredients and prepared foods. 

Kitchen Operations 

• Set up, organize, and sanitize workstations before, during, and after food preparation. 
• Maintain a clean, orderly, and sanitary kitchen environment. 
• Support inventory organization and storage throughout kitchen and food service areas. 
• Properly operate kitchen equipment and tools in accordance with established safety procedures. 
• Assist with event preparation, load-in activities, and other operational needs as assigned. 

Contribute to Our Mission and Culture 

• Serve as an ambassador for Forest Theater through professionalism, teamwork, and hospitality. 
• Support a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and service excellence. 
• Help create memorable experiences that connect guests to arts, culture, and community. 
• Demonstrate respect for colleagues, guests, vendors, and community partners. 
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support culinary operations and organizational goals. 

Qualifications 

Education and Experience 

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred. 
• One or more years of kitchen, food service, hospitality, restaurant, or catering experience preferred. 
• Experience supporting high-volume events, catering operations, or large-scale food production is a plus. 
• ServSafe Certification preferred or the ability to obtain certification upon hire. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Passion for hospitality and a commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. 
• Commitment to the mission and values of Forest Theater and Forest Forward. 
• Knowledge of basic food preparation techniques and kitchen operations. 
• Understanding of food safety and sanitation requirements. 
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow recipes, production sheets, and instructions accurately. 
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining quality standards. 
• Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills. 
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities. 
• Ability to adapt quickly and contribute to an evolving, event-driven environment. 

Work Environment and Physical Requirements 

Forest Theater is a dynamic live entertainment and community venue. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. 

This role regularly requires: 

• Working in commercial kitchens and food preparation areas. 
• Operating kitchen equipment including knives, mixers, ovens, slicers, and other culinary tools. 
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, reaching, and carrying food products and supplies. 
• Working in refrigerated, freezer, storage, and kitchen environments. 
• Maintaining food safety and sanitation standards at all times. 
• Lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds. 
• Working evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events based on event and production schedules. 

Why Forest Theater? 

At Forest Theater, your work supports more than food preparation. Every event, performance, and gathering creates opportunities for connection, celebration, and community impact. You’ll join a team committed to preserving the cultural legacy of South Dallas while helping build a vibrant future through arts, education, economic opportunity, and community engagement. 

Build Community. Preserve Culture. Create Opportunity. Join Forest Theater and help shape a thriving future for South Dallas. 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Forest Forward is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation and provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law.