Pick & Prep Chef
Company : KJ's Market
Location : Columbia, SC, 29203
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 11 January 2026
Overview
To prepare Pick & Prep product and provide product preparation services to create a sensory and engaging experience for guests, while operating at or above company standards.
Responsibilities
1. Actively engage guests through product preparation, active sampling and suggestive selling.
2. To personally demonstrate superior guest service at all times. This will included but is not limited to story telling about specific products within the department, highlighting product benefits such as Fresh, Healthy, Seasonal and most importantly Local, etc..
3. Demonstrate knife showmanship skills to highlight the services and show offered at Pick & Prep
4. Operate the Pick & Prep area according to strict merchandising and operational standards.
5. Ensure the quality of product for sale meets Lowes Foods standards.
6. Maintain sanitation and safety throughout the department according to Lowes Foods standards.
7. Perform product preparation, receiving, ordering, stocking, merchandising and guest service as necessary to achieve standards.
8. Perform PA announcements.
9. Perform all other duties as assigned by management.
Qualifications
1. Friendly, outgoing personality.
2. Must be able to actively engage guests. Willingness to have fun with our guests.
3. Ability to work well with others.
4. Ability to lift 25 lbs. consistently and 50 lbs. occasionally.
5. Ability to read and understand information and direction.
6. Knowledge of Pick & Prep operations.
7. Demonstrate ability and willingness to learn multiple tasks and technical requirements of the job including knife skills.
8. Demonstrate effective communication, guest service and selling skills.
9. Must be at least 18 years old.
10. Ability to bend, kneel and stand for extended periods of time.
11. Ability to effectively communicate with, and take direction from supervision.
12. Ability to work well with computers and scales.
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Frequently asked questions
At KJ's Market, the Pick & Prep Chef actively engages customers by showcasing fresh, local, and seasonal products through interactive preparation and sampling. This lively approach not only highlights product quality but also creates a memorable sensory experience, encouraging guest interaction and boosting sales in Columbia's vibrant food scene.
In Columbia, SC, a Pick & Prep Chef stands out by mastering knife showmanship, effective guest communication, and multitasking between prepping, merchandising, and ordering. Familiarity with local produce and food safety standards is essential, alongside an outgoing personality to thrive in this community-focused role.
Many believe the Pick & Prep Chef simply cuts and displays food, but the role demands dynamic guest interaction, storytelling about product benefits, and maintaining rigorous sanitation. It’s a blend of culinary skill and active salesmanship that goes beyond typical kitchen prep duties.
While there’s no strict certification mandate for Pick & Prep Chefs in Columbia, familiarity with local health and safety guidelines is crucial. Experience in food handling and knife skills, alongside compliance with South Carolina’s food safety regulations, significantly boosts employability in this role.
Pick & Prep Chefs in Columbia, SC typically earn between $12 to $16 per hour, reflecting local market standards for food prep roles. KJ's Market offers competitive wages aligned with experience, skill level, and the dynamic responsibilities involved in engaging customers and maintaining quality.
KJ's Market emphasizes an interactive guest experience, combining product preparation with storytelling and knife showmanship, setting it apart from typical prep cook jobs. The company culture encourages fun engagement and personal connection with guests, enhancing job satisfaction in Columbia’s competitive food retail environment.
Applicants should be prepared for consistent lifting of up to 25 lbs and occasional lifting of 50 lbs, alongside extended periods of standing, bending, and kneeling. These physical requirements support efficient product prep and merchandising, vital to maintaining KJ's Market’s operational standards.
Columbia’s expanding food retail sector has increased the need for versatile Pick & Prep Chefs who can blend culinary skill with customer engagement. Job seekers benefit from this trend, finding more opportunities at local markets like KJ's, where fresh, local product expertise is highly valued.