Kitchen Hand job description sample

A Kitchen Hand, or Kitchen Porter assists with the day-to-day running of the kitchen. Their duties include cleaning the kitchen, assisting with food preparation and keeping the kitchen orderly and efficient.

 

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What does a Kitchen Hand do?

Kitchen Hands assist kitchen and service staff. They help with cleaning the food preparation areas and other parts of the kitchen. A major part of their work involves dishwashing, cleaning of the cooking and  utensils and kitchen equipment. In commercial kitchens, Kitchen Hands will also restock kitchen ingredients and other needed supplies. They assist with food storage and assembly. Kitchen Hands ensure that the kitchen and service areas meet hygienic and safety standards. 

 

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Kitchen Hand duties and responsibilities

The primary duty of a Kitchen Hand is to ensure the kitchen and service areas are clean and working efficiently to deliver excellent service to diners. Some of their main duties and responsibilities include:

  • Washing, disinfecting and polishing dishware based on company procedures
  • Maintaining order and cleanliness of the kitchen, food preparation areas and service areas based on industry and company standards
  • Cleaning general utensils and kitchen equipment
  • Cooking, toasting and heating food under the supervision of Line Chefs
  • Assembling and preparing food ingredients for cooking
  • Restocking kitchen supplies and maintaining equipment as needed
  • Packing food and drinking trays for serving
  • Weighing, transferring, checking and storing food ingredients

 

Kitchen Hand skills and qualifications

A successful Kitchen Hand candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications needed to perform duties effectively. These include:

  • Knowledge of dining room setup
  • Solid understanding of food handling, sanitation and prevention of food-borne illnesses
  • Ability to work well with their hands
  • Excellent hand-eye coordination
  • Physical strength and the ability to lift heavy loads
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills 

 

Kitchen Hand experience requirements 

Kitchen Hand positions often have no experience requirements because the job is an entry role. However, some employers prefer candidates who have experience in the hospitality and food business. Candidates who have worked in restaurants, fast food, commercial kitchens and catering are ideal for the role as they often have experience with food preparation and sanitation. Kitchen Hand candidates can gain valuable experience through volunteering and social work. Those that have professional training usually complete some fieldwork as part of their studies. 

 

Kitchen Hand education and training requirements

Kitchen Hand candidates have no specific education or training requirements for employment. However, some employers prefer applicants who have qualifications related to the food industry. Acceptable qualifications include a Level 1 Award in Introduction to Employment in the Hospitality Industry, Level 1 Certificate in General Hospitality and Level 1 Certificate in General Cookery. Employers also consider applicants who have completed a Hospitality Team Member intermediate apprenticeship. Some organisations will accept candidates who have experience working in a kitchen if they have GCSEs at grades 9 to 2 in English and maths. 

 

Kitchen Hand salary expectations 

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Kitchen Hand in the UK is £8.72 per hour. Actual salary may depend on the employer, industry, location, qualifications, exact job duties and responsibilities and experience. 

 

Job description samples for related positions 

Here are job description samples for related positions if you are not looking to recruit Kitchen Hands:

 

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Kitchen Hand job description FAQs

 

What qualities make a good Kitchen Hand?

An effective Kitchen Hand needs to have a good understanding of the rules and regulations of the food service industry. The ideal candidate will have excellent customer service skills as they may need to assist with food service during peak periods. Successful Kitchen Hands are adept problem-solvers. They can anticipate the needs of the kitchen and quickly take action to prevent delays and ensure smooth operations. 

The role requires exceptional time management skills to ensure that dishes and food preparation utensils are clean and ready for service. A good Kitchen Hand must have excellent maths skills and be able to interact and build relationships with the kitchen and service staff. 

 

How can you make your Kitchen Hand job description stand out?

To make your Kitchen Hand job description stand out, describe the specific duties and responsibilities of the role. Mention information about the cleaning duties and the scope of the tasks. It’s also important to talk about work hours, including the number of hours per day or week, shift changes, off days, annual leave and related information. 

Highlighting training and career advancement opportunities can also encourage candidates to apply for your role. You can describe the work culture and the history of your organisation to help applicants envision whether they fit into the company. Including information about employment benefits, pensions and other bonuses can attract the right candidates and may position you as an ideal employer to work for. 

 

Who does a Kitchen Hand report to?

A Kitchen Hand usually reports to the Kitchen Manager, Restaurant Manager, Line Chef and other senior employees at food service or hospitality business.

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