Overview
Kitchen porters or assistants prepare food, make sure chefs have everything they need and keep the kitchen clean. They help the chefs save time by doing things like washing and chopping vegetables and preparing other foods for them. They also make simple dishes such as salads and starter dishes.
Activities
- Washing foods
- Chopping salads and vegetables
- Keeping the kitchen clean and tidy
- Washing up pans and cooking dishes
Organisations
There are lots of businesses that employ kitchen porters/assistants such as pubs, restaurants, hotels, the NHS, schools, colleges, universities and conference venues and centres.
Workplace
Kitchen porters mainly work indoors in a kitchen environment which can be hot places to work.
Working Hours
The working hours for a kitchen assistant vary depending on where they work. In restaurants and hotels they often work long hours. These may be as many as 45 hours a week, although some work part-time.
Salary
Starting salary is £11,500.
Qualifications
You do not need any particular qualifications to become a kitchen porter/assistant. You can apply directly to employers for a job as a dish washer or general kitchen hand, then train while you’re working.
You could also apply for an apprenticeship. If you have an EHCP you may be able to apply under the DfE exemption which allows the apprentice to use Entry Level 3 English and Maths qualifications. The apprentice would have to be competent enough to successfully achieve all other aspects of the apprenticeship requirements, become occupationally competent and achieve Entry Level 3 in English and Maths before the end of their apprenticeship.