Prep Cook- HopCat in Detroit, Michigan at Project BarFly

At HopCat, we believe great restaurants are built by great people. We're looking for “A Players”—individuals who take pride in their craft, care about their teammates, and consistently deliver exceptional food under pressure.

Mission

Prepare safe, accurate, and consistent ingredients that set the kitchen up for successful service while protecting product quality, organization, and cost control.

What Success Looks Like

• Complete assigned prep accurately and within the required production timeline.
• Follow every recipe, batch size, yield, portion, and presentation standard without unapproved substitutions.
• Label, date, cool, store, and rotate all prepared food according to food-safety and FIFO requirements.
• Use production levels and prep direction to limit overproduction, spoilage, and waste.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection-ready prep area throughout the shift.
• Communicate shortages, quality concerns, equipment issues, and incomplete prep before they affect service.
• Complete required prep records, waste documentation, cleaning, and handoff responsibilities accurately.

Competencies

The ideal candidate demonstrates the following:

Accuracy - Follows recipes, tickets, counts, and procedures precisely.

Planning and pacing - Sequences work to meet production deadlines.

Food-safety awareness - Protects time, temperature, sanitation, and storage standards.

Organization - Keeps tools, information, and work areas ready.

Consistency - Produces the same standard on every shift.

Communication - Demonstrates this behavior consistently during every shift.

Accountability - Owns responsibilities, standards, and mistakes.

Coachability - Receives feedback and applies it consistently.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare ingredients and recipes according to approved procedures.
• Use scales, measuring tools, knives, and kitchen equipment safely.
• Verify product quality before and after preparation.
• Follow portion, yield, cooling, labeling, and storage standards.
• Keep work areas, smallwares, equipment, and storage spaces clean.
• Record waste and communicate product needs.
• Support the line and other kitchen priorities when assigned.

Experience and Qualifications

• Previous prep or kitchen experience is preferred but not required.
• Ability to follow written recipes, production sheets, and verbal direction.
• Basic knife skills and food-safety knowledge are preferred; training is available.
• Flexible availability, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements

• Stand and move throughout the shift.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Work safely around knives, food processors, hot equipment, cleaning products, and refrigerated areas.

Why Work at HopCat?

• Competitive pay appropriate to the position, including tips where applicable.
• Flexible scheduling and employee food discounts.
• Training, skill development, and opportunities for growth within HopCat and Project BarFly.
• A fast-paced, inclusive, and team-focused work environment.

Better Every Day. Stronger Together. Cook Where It Counts.

If you're dependable, organized, and ready to contribute to a high-performing kitchen team, we'd love to meet you.

If you are ready to take ownership of the Prep Cook role and help create memorable HopCat experiences, we would love to meet you.

Apply today and start building your culinary career with HopCat.

BarFly is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We know that diverse, talented and dedicated individuals are critical to our success, so we look for veterans and people from various backgrounds not just because it's the right thing to do, but also because it's good for our business. We accept, celebrate and support the differences of people because it makes our team, the experience at our restaurants and the communities in which we operate better.