Prep Cook
Company : Dallas Convention Center
Location : Mesa, AZ, 85206
Job Type : Part Time, Intern
Date Posted : 22 December 2025
Oak View Group
Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.
Position Summary
The Prep Cook/Line Cook is responsible for preparing foods to be served to guests throughout the venue. The Prep/Line Cook will often have direct contact with the public working in areas such as a buffet line slicing meats or preparing dishes to order. The Prep/Line Cook must maintain excellent attendance and be available to work events as scheduled per business need.
This role will pay an hourly wage of $18 to $22.00.
Benefits for PT roles: 401(k) savings plan and 401(k) matching. Also, OVG provides part-time, seasonal, and internship employees with one hour of accrued paid leave per 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year.
EVERGREEN ROLE: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis; there is no application deadline
About the Venue
The Mortgage Matchup Center is in the heart of downtown Phoenix, home to the Phoenix Suns and Mercury professional basketball teams and a variety of special events and concerts tear round-making it the preeminent destination for sports and entertainment in the southwest.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for providing high quality, fresh food products in a timely manner for delivery to guests.
- Prepares hot and cold foods following company recipes and portioning requirements.
- Participates as a team player with specific responsibilities as related to preparation, excellent service and delivery of product.
- Responsible for reporting any maintenance required for kitchen equipment.
- Maintains sanitation, health and safety standards in work areas.
- Responsible for observing and testing foods to ensure proper cooking.
- Responsible for portioning, arranging and garnishing food plates for delivery to guests.
- Responsible for consulting with Executive Chef, Sous Chef or Kitchen Supervisor to plan menus and estimate expected food consumption.
- Must show demonstrated ability to meet the company standard for excellent attendance.
Qualifications
- Previous cook or prep cook experience
- Able to operate standard kitchen equipment to including the broiler, steamer, convection oven, mixer, meat slicer and chef knife.
- Ability to communicate with employees, co-workers, volunteers, management staff and guests in a clear, business-like and respectful manner which focuses on generating a positive, enthusiastic and cooperative work environment.
- Ability to speak, read and write in English.
- Ability to work well in a team-oriented, fast-paced, event-driven environment.
- Possess valid food handling certificate if required by state and federal regulations
- ServSafe preferred
Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference
At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.
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Frequently asked questions
At Dallas Convention Center, a prep cook actively supports fast-paced, event-specific food preparation, ensuring fresh, timely dishes for large crowds. This role demands agility and teamwork to meet the unique demands of live events and conventions hosted at the venue.
Working as a prep cook at Dallas Convention Center exposes you to diverse food prep techniques and event catering styles, fostering skill enhancement in both hot and cold food preparation under experienced kitchen leadership.
Prep cooks at Dallas Convention Center in Mesa, AZ earn between $18 to $22 per hour, reflecting local hospitality wage standards and the specialized event-based culinary environment.
A prep cook in Mesa should confidently operate equipment like broilers, steamers, convection ovens, mixers, and meat slicers, crucial for efficient meal prep and catering operations in venues like Dallas Convention Center.
Mesa shows steady demand for prep cooks, with part-time positions growing due to the city’s expanding hospitality and event sectors. Candidates with flexible schedules and certifications stand out in local hiring pools.
While Arizona regulations may vary, many Mesa venues, including Dallas Convention Center, prefer or require valid food handling certificates to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
Prep cooks at Dallas Convention Center engage with high-profile events, offering dynamic shifts and exposure to large-scale food service operations, unlike typical restaurant kitchens in Mesa’s hospitality scene.
This role can be a springboard for culinary careers, providing hands-on experience with diverse food prep tasks and event catering, valuable for advancement into line cook or kitchen supervisory roles.
During peak events, prep cooks must manage rapid food preparation while maintaining quality and sanitation, often coordinating closely with chefs and service staff under time pressure.
Prep cooks must adapt to variable hours aligned with scheduled events, including nights and weekends, demanding reliable attendance and flexibility to meet the venue’s fluctuating food service needs.