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Kitchen porter

Alternative titles for this job include Kitchen hand, kitchen attendant

Kitchen porters clean, wash up and prepare food to keep hotel, restaurant and hospital kitchens running smoothly.

Average salary (a year)

£13,000 Starter

to

£18,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become a kitchen porter

You can get into this job through:

  • college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

There are no set requirements, but it might help if you take a college course in cookery or hospitality like:

  • Level 1 Award in Introduction to Employment in the Hospitality Industry
  • Level 1 Certificate in General Cookery
  • Level 1 Certificate in General Hospitality

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G) for a level 1 course

More information

Apprenticeship

You could do a hospitality team member intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More information

Direct application

You can apply directly for jobs. There are no set requirements, though some employers may ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 2 (A* to E) in English and maths.

Experience of working in a kitchen would be useful but is not essential.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about working as a kitchen porter from the Hospitality Guild and CareerScope.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to work on your own
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

  • unloading deliveries
  • organising the storeroom
  • collecting and washing pots, pans, plates and cutlery
  • getting pots, pans plates and cutlery back into use quickly
  • washing and disinfecting kitchen appliances, work surfaces, floors and walls
  • making sure kitchen equipment is properly stored
  • removing and recycling waste from the kitchen

Working environment

You could work at a restaurant.

Your working environment may be hot and humid.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

With experience and training you could progress to kitchen assistant or chef.

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Chef

  • Wage : £152.10 Weekly
  • Location: Beverley HU17 0RS

Apprentice Commis Chef/Food Prep Technician

  • Wage : £200.00 Weekly
  • Location: LONDON EC3A 8EE
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a kitchen porter?

Search for training courses near you.

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