Kitchen porter
Kitchen porters clean, wash up and prepare food to keep hotel, restaurant and hospital kitchens running smoothly.
Average annual salary (starting - experienced): £13,000 - £18,000
Typical hours (a week): 40 - 42
Related videos on a kitchen porter
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
College (Entry requirements)
You'll usually need:
- 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
Apprenticeship
You could do a hospitality team member intermediate apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
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 info
Further information You can find out more about working as a kitchen porter from the Hospitality Guild and CareerScope.
What it takes
Skills & 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
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
Career path & progression
With experience and training you could progress to kitchen assistant or chef.
