A Kitchen Porter is an essential role in any professional kitchen, providing an entry-level role for people looking to start their career in the hospitality and catering sector. Whether you’re looking for some part-time work to fit around your studies or full-time work to develop your career, there are plenty of Kitchen Porter work available near you.
What is a Kitchen Porter?
A Kitchen Porter, also known as a Kitchen Assistant, is someone hired in a professional or commercial kitchen to maintain the cleanliness and organisation of the environment. You will report to the Head Chef or Kitchen Manager, depending on your contract, and you will be responsible for various duties that support the chefs within the kitchen. These duties can include washing dishes and pots, cleaning surfaces and floor areas, managing and maintaining stock and ingredients, and even preparing ingredients depending on the kitchen.
This is an entry-level role, so you don’t need any specific qualifications, education, or experience to access it. However, some skills that can be useful when applying for Kitchen Porter jobs include communication, teamworking, attention to detail, physical stamina, and some basic culinary skills and hygiene.
As with most hospitality and catering roles, this position can offer flexible working hours with many evenings and weekend work available. This is perfect for students looking for part-time work around their studies or if you prefer the patterns that shift working can provide. As a Kitchen Porter you will be required throughout food service, supporting chef activities and maintaining cleanliness, as well as ahead of time to prepare the kitchen and ingredients, and afterwards to ensure the kitchen is clean and stock is managed before closing.
How to Become a Kitchen Assistant?
A Kitchen Porter is an entry-level position within a professional or commercial kitchen, making it a perfect place to start if you’re looking to develop a career as a chef or within the hospitality and catering sector. To become a Kitchen Porter, you can develop transferable skills including basic culinary skills, communication, teamworking, and attention to detail. This can be done through education, work experience, and volunteer positions.
What to Put on a Kitchen Porter CV
When applying for these roles, you will need a specific Kitchen Porter CV that highlights your relevant skills and experiences for this role. Unlike other entry-level positions in hospitality and catering, this role can benefit from basic culinary skills and ingredient/ stock management. By creating a CV specifically for in-kitchen roles, you can demonstrate your passion and improve your likelihood of securing a role.
Similar Jobs to Kitchen Porter
Whether you’re looking for our first position in hospitality and catering or starting out your chef career, there are various similar jobs to Kitchen Porter. Some popular similar roles include Kitchen Assistant, Kitchen Hand, Dishwasher, or Commis Chef. Each of these roles offer entry-level work in a professional kitchen – making them the perfect first position for anyone looking to break into this line of work.
Other Jobs in Hospitality and Catering
The hospitality and catering industry has plenty of entry-level roles for anyone looking to start working in this sector. Whether you’re looking to build some work experience around your studies or kickstart your career, there’s plenty of beginner roles within this sector. Some other jobs in hospitality and catering include Waiter/ Waitress, Bartender, Receptionist, Cleaner and Housekeeper. Each of these roles can be available in entry-level positions, making them the perfect stepping stone for accessing the sector. Some other jobs, if you’re looking to grow your career, include Commis Chef, Sous Chef, Restaurant Manager, Host/ Hostess, Barista, or Chef de Partie.
Apply for Kitchen Porter Jobs Near You
Looking to access your local hospitality and catering sector? There are plenty of Kitchen Porter jobs near you to help start or expand your skillset. Whether you’re looking to become a professional chef in a commercial kitchen or want part-time work providing catering for a local business, there are plenty of opportunities around the UK.
Kitchen Porter Job Description FAQ
Is a Kitchen Porter a Good Career Choice?
Yes, a Kitchen Porter job is a good career choice for anyone looking for entry-level access to professional or commercial kitchens. Whether you have prior experience or not, this role can offer you the industry insight, training, and networking needed to work your way up.
What Skills Does a Kitchen Porter Need?
As a Kitchen Porter, you don’t need any specific qualifications. However, some skills that can help include:
- Basic culinary skills
- Hygiene awareness and cleanliness
- Organisation
- Time management
- Teamworking
What Are the Biggest Challenges of Being a Kitchen Porter?
As a Kitchen Porter, you will be required to work long shift hours – which will require standing for long periods of time. This can be tiring and physically demanding. The role also comes with some health and safety risks due to the hazards often associated with kitchen work – so this will require a good attention to detail and hazard perception.
What Personal Qualities Make a Great Kitchen Porter?
While you don’t need any specific qualifications or education to become a Kitchen Porter, some personal qualities that can help you succeed in the role include:
- Communicative
- A team player
- Enthusiastic about kitchen preparation
- A keen eye for detail
- Tidy and organised
