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Kitchen porter

Alternative titles for this job include Kitchen assistant

Kitchen porters or kitchen assistants prepare food, make sure chefs have everything they need and keep the kitchen clean.

Average salary (a year)

£17,000 Starter

to

£25,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You may find it helpful to do a college course in a related subject like:

  • introduction to employment in the hospitality industry
  • general cookery
  • food safety

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job by applying to do an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Commis Chef Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Food and Beverage Team Member Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply directly to employers for a job as a dish washer or general kitchen hand, then train while you're working.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a kitchen porter from Caterer.com.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with others
  • customer service skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • physical fitness and endurance
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a kitchen porter you could:

  • provide support to chefs
  • wash, peel and prepare food items
  • use a variety of kitchen equipment such as mixers, special knives and cutters
  • unload deliveries
  • organise the storeroom
  • wash kitchen appliances, work surfaces, floors and walls

Working environment

You could work at a restaurant, in an NHS or private hospital or in a factory.

Your working environment may be noisy and hot.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and further training, you could become a trainee or junior chef.

You could also progress into management or move into bar work or food service.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Commis Chef

  • Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
  • Location: CRADLEY, MALVERN

Commis Chef Apprentice

  • Wage: £11,778 a year Annually
  • Location: Kenwyn Church Road, Truro
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Wjec Hospitality and Catering

  • Provider: PRIESTLEY SMITH SCHOOL
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: Birmingham

St. Johns Hospitality & Catering

  • Provider: CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2026
  • Location: Cambridge
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Skills assessment

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