What is a kitchen assistant?
A kitchen assistant is a staff member who aids in the overall function of a culinary workspace. They are responsible for assisting chefs, cooks, or managers.
As kitchen assistant, they are also responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen, washing used materials, sanitizing utensils, organizing food inventory.
What is a kitchen assistant?
You may find it helps you to get work if you do a course like:
- Level 1 Award in Introduction to Employment in the Hospitality Industry
- Level 1 Certificate in General Cookery
- Level 2 Award in Food Safety
Kitchen assistant duties
Kitchen assistant duties are diverse and depend on the employer and specialty, but some responsibilities are common to most:
- Assisting the Cook with the preparation of meal ingredients, which includes washing, cleaning, peeling, cutting, and chopping fruit, vegetables, poultry, and meat
- Ensuring the food preparation areas are clean and hygienic
- Cleaning the food preparation equipment, floors and other kitchen tools or areas
- Preparing small dishes such as appetizers or arranging plate decorations
- Transferring appropriate ingredients from storage to workstations safely and efficiently
- Demonstrate exceptional verbal and written communication skills with understanding needs and presenting solutions in a fast pace environment
- Disposing of rubbish
Kitchen assistant skills
To be an effective kitchen assistant, you’ll need certain skills and competencies. The following are often cited in job vacancies:
- Understanding the importance of health and hygiene
- Plenty of stamina
- Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- Ability to use your initiative
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Ability to stand for extended periods
- A great team player
How to find a kitchen assistant job
These jobs are advertised online, in local newspapers and at your local jobcentre. To find all the kitchen assistant jobs near you, you need to:
- Search for kitchen assistant jobs on popular job websites such as; Indeed, Total Jobs and CV Library
- Use the DWP’s Find A Job Service
- Check local newspapers and local Facebook groups, especially groups dedicated to local jobs
Kitchen Assistant Job Titles
When you search for kitchen assistant jobs online, be aware that the jobs might be advertised using a different job title. Popular job titles for kitchen assistant jobs include;
- Kitchen attendant
- Kitchen helper
- Catering assistant
- Kitchen team member
- Catering helper
What does a kitchen assistant do?
The job of a kitchen assistant varies depending on the job role and the company you’re working for. Check the duties and responsibilities of kitchen assistant job advertisements to find jobs that best suit your skills and experience.
The day-to-day tasks of a kitchen assistant include;
- Support chefs in a specific work section
- Wash, peel and prepare food items
- Wash, peel and prepare food items
- Unload deliveries
- Organise the storeroom
- Wash kitchen appliances, work surfaces, floors and walls