What is the role of a prep cook in a kitchen?

The role of a prep cook in a kitchen primarily revolves around preparing ingredients for line cooks. This involves tasks such as washing, peeling, cutting, slicing, and measuring ingredients, ensuring that everything is ready for cooking or assembly. By focusing on these preparation tasks, the prep cook plays a crucial part in the efficiency of the kitchen, allowing line cooks to concentrate on cooking the meals and plating them for service.

In a well-organized kitchen, the prep cook's work is foundational, as it streamlines the cooking process and ensures that high-quality ingredients are in place beforehand. This preparation aspect is vital to maintaining the flow during busy service times, making the role indispensable in efficient kitchen operations.