Prep Cook vs Line Cook

A line cook is a kitchen staff member in a restaurant that works at a specific station in the kitchen. They are tasked with performing the cooking of one stage in a given dish. Line cooks take orders from the head chef and perform duties such as chopping vegetables or meat, ensuring quality and timely preparation of food, and stocking their station with supplies.

Here are the key differences between a prep cook and a line cook:

• A line cook is a higher ranking member of the kitchen staff than a prep cook

• Line cooks actually cook meals, prep cooks prepare ingredients for a meal

• Line cooks have higher salaries than prep cooks

• Prep cooks need a basic understanding of cooking, while line cooks need more knowledge and experience pertaining to cooking

• Prep cooks have many duties that don't pertain to food, such as restocking supplies, and taking out the trash

• Most responsibilities of a line cook involve the cooking of food