About Taco Rico / Taco Works
Since 1992, Taco Rico / Taco Works has been serving award-winning southwest and Tex-Mex cuisine. Known for our fresh ingredients, signature recipes, dedicated salsa bar, and fast, friendly service, we pride ourselves on making our items fresh daily. Great food starts with great prep work—and that’s where you come in!
Position Summary
We are seeking a reliable, detail-oriented Kitchen Prep Person to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for setting up our kitchen and line cooks for success each day. You will wash, chop, slice, season, and prepare ingredients—ranging from fresh vegetables and proteins to our famous salsas—following Taco Rico / Taco Works' exact recipes and food safety standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Batch & Ingredient Preparation: Wash, peel, slice, and chop fresh produce, marinate meats, cook beans and rice, and mix proprietary Tex-Mex sauces and salsa bar items following precise recipes.
- Portion Control: Weigh, measure, and package prepped ingredients to standard specs to ensure consistency and minimize food waste.
- Kitchen & Workstation Sanitation: Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary station. Sanitize cutting boards, knives, food processors, and prep tools continuously throughout your shift.
- Inventory & Food Safety:
- Follow proper food rotation practices (FIFO – First In, First Out) and label/date all prepared items accurately.
- Store ingredients at proper safe temperatures in walk-in coolers and freezers.
- Receiving & Unpacking: Help unload delivery trucks, stock walk-in refrigerators, freezer units, and dry storage shelves, reporting low inventory or damaged goods to management.
- Team Communication: Communicate prep levels with the Line Cooks and Store Manager to prevent shortages during peak meal rush hours.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Experience: Previous prep cook or kitchen experience in a fast-casual or QSR environment is a plus, but we are happy to train candidates with a strong work ethic and willingness to learn!
- Food Safety: Basic knowledge of kitchen hygiene practices. A valid Food Handler Certificate (or willingness to obtain one upon hire) is required.
- Skills:
- Proficient knife-handling skills and comfort using standard kitchen tools/machinery (food processors, slicers, scales).
- Ability to follow written recipes and prep sheets accurately.
- Strong time-management skills to complete daily prep lists efficiently.
- Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for long periods, perform repetitive hand/arm movements, lift up to 40–50 lbs regularly, and work in cooler environments (walk-in refrigerators).
- Availability: Morning and early shift availability is highly preferred, including weekends and holidays as needed.
Benefits & Perks
- Competitive hourly pay [Insert Hourly Rate, e.g., $14 - $17/hr]
- Flexible scheduling (Full-Time and Part-Time options)
- Free / Discounted shift meals
- Hands-on training and advancement opportunities (Prep Cook $\rightarrow$ Line Cook $\rightarrow$ Kitchen Supervisor)
- Positive, supportive team culture
Work schedule
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
- 12 hour shift
- 10 hour shift
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Other
- Overtime
Supplemental pay
- Tips
Benefits
- Flexible schedule
- Paid training
- Other