A Description of the Kitchen Porter Job Role
A kitchen porter’s job description includes the washing of pots and pans. And is a crucial part of every kitchen to help the kitchen run smoothly.
Kitchen porters can be employed in a broad range of places where food is prepared and served to customers.
These may include hotels, restaurants, pubs and cruise ships.
Want To Skip Ahead?
- What Are The Duties Of A Kitchen Porter
- The Working Hours And Conditions
- How Much Does A Kitchen Porter Get Paid
- What Education Is Needed
- The Kitchen Porter Career Progression
What is a Kitchen Porter?
A kitchen porter will need to be physically fit. As the KP will be standing for almost all of the day and be able to work in a team.
A kitchen porter will be a great first job in a kitchen brigade. In addition, anyone looking to get into a kitchen team and possibly have the opportunity to move up into a commis chef’s role.
What Are The Kitchen Porter’s Duties
A kitchen porter’s main duties will involve washing up, cleaning and possibly basic food preparation tasks.
During busy periods, such as a Saturday evening service the kitchen porter will need to be well organised. And be able to work fast to keep the pots and pans clean for the chefs.
The duties may include,
- Unloading and putting away stock correctly,
- Keeping the kitchen clean,
- Emptying bins,
- Sweeping and mopping floors.
The kitchen porter will make sure all the equipment is put away correctly, the washing up pans, and pots and operate the dishwasher machine.
It is possible that the porter will be responsible for basic tasks, such as: peeling onions during busy periods.
Working Hours And Working Conditions
- The usual working hours for a full-time KP job will be a 40-hour week.
- This may include weekends and public holidays, with possible extra hours available.
- A KP can work part-time or with an agency
- It can get hot in many kitchens due to the cooking equipment.
- Also, you may be working at a sink for long periods of time.
- Employers will provide clothing to work in, this may be a full uniform or a waterproof apron.
The Kitchen Porters Uniform
The work clothing for a kitchen porter will follow the rules of the business.
Basic Uniform / A Restaurant
A simple full frontal apron – Protective clothing for chemicals.
Full Uniform / A Luxury hotel
A smart branded top and trousers with an apron as needed.
All workplaces should provide protective clothing for using chemicals. The assistant will need to wear the correct clothing and eye protection for light and heavy cleaning duties.
How Much Does A Kitchen Porter Get Paid
A kitchen porter’s salary will usually start at the minimum wage, this changes from time to time. The minimum wage will depend on your age.
With over 25 years old’s getting the highest wage and apprentices and under 18’s getting a much lower hourly wage.
As with many catering jobs, your salary as a full-time member of the team will depend on your location. A kitchen porter’s salary is around £16000+ pounds.
The Qualifications And Education Needed
Qualifications are not needed to become a kitchen porter. Although a secondary education will be helpful with some grades at GCSE A-E.
You will need to have a command of English and be able to communicate effectively with the team. Also if you have any experience working in a kitchen, this can help to gain a KP job.
There are qualifications out there that can help with this. Due to the food preparation environment, a level 1 certificate in general cookery can be an advantage.
A Kitchen Porter Progress In A Kitchen Brigade
First of all, a kitchen porter will be learning all the basics of working as part of a kitchen brigade. In addition, many KP’s have the opportunity to progress their way up the kitchen brigade. And into a commis chef position.
This job can be a start to a rewarding in-demand career with the next step becoming an apprentice, commis or assistant depending on the person’s knowledge.
In addition, to work hard as a KP and show a keen interest in food and becoming a chef. In turn, a position may become available within the kitchen brigade as a chef.
Learn how to become a chef with no experience
Personal Qualities To Become A Kitchen Porter And Progress In A Kitchen Brigade
There are a number of personal qualities that may help a kitchen porter to start a KP job and progress up a kitchen brigade.
These skills will include: Being comfortable with standing for long periods of time, being able to work fast, having effective communication skills, being comfortable with following instructions and remaining calm under pressure.
All of these skills are especially relevant when becoming a chef.
The Kitchen Porter Job Description Placements
Since there are many jobs all over the UK in a broad range of places. A tip here will be to look for jobs as a KP where you have an interest in becoming a chef. Furthermore, these places include hotels, restaurants, and pubs.
If you are ambitious in your career and are looking for a good opportunity as a chef looks for jobs in 4-5 star hotels. And this will give you a better chance of success than taking a wash-up job in a village pub or a hospital.
The kitchen porter role is an essential role
It is a great starting point to learn about the professional kitchen and get the first foot in the door. Catering college is recommended to start a chef career but the KP route is a great alternative way in.
