Kitchen Assistant

Kitchen Assistant

Reports to: Head Chef or Deputy Food Production Lead; Café Manager for general operational matters.

Direct reports: None.

Role overview

The Kitchen Assistant supports the preparation, cooking and service of food and helps maintain a safe, clean and well-organised café kitchen. This is not a completely entry-level role. The postholder must already be able to undertake food preparation, prepare simple dishes, handle food safely and maintain good standards of kitchen and personal hygiene. They must be capable of contributing usefully during service, following instructions and completing routine tasks without continuous supervision. As their competence develops, the Kitchen Assistant may prepare a broader range of café dishes, assist with daily checks, help organise preparation work and take greater responsibility for routine kitchen tasks.

Main responsibilities

• Prepare ingredients and hot and cold food to the required standard.
• Prepare sandwiches, toasties, salads, cakes, sides, cooked items and other café dishes appropriate to their competence and training.
• Wash, peel, chop, portion and prepare ingredients safely and efficiently.
• Follow recipes, preparation instructions and agreed standards for portion control, food quality and presentation.
• Assist with plating and service, maintaining an appropriate pace during busy periods.
• Complete allocated preparation lists and help keep kitchen work organised.
• Store, label and rotate food correctly, following date-coding, temperature-control and stock-rotation procedures.
• Follow allergen procedures and take appropriate precautions to prevent contamination and cross-contact.
• Maintain high standards of kitchen cleanliness, food hygiene and personal hygiene.
• Complete washing-up, equipment cleaning, surface cleaning, floor cleaning and opening or end-of-day duties as allocated.
• Complete food-safety checks and records for which appropriate instruction has been provided.
• Monitor routine stock requirements and report shortages, damage, waste or unsuitable food promptly.
• Report food-safety, hygiene, equipment or maintenance concerns immediately.
• Work constructively with kitchen and front-of-house colleagues to support an efficient café service.
• Remain calm, organised and practical during busy periods.
• Use reasonable initiative while working within Company procedures, training and delegated authority.

Skills and experience

Essential

• Existing practical food-preparation skills and the ability to prepare simple dishes safely and confidently.
• A sound understanding of food hygiene, safe food handling and good personal hygiene.
• The ability to follow recipes, instructions, procedures and agreed standards accurately.
• The ability to work safely, cleanly and efficiently in a busy kitchen.
• Good attention to detail, particularly when handling food, allergens, date codes and cleaning chemicals.
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• A reliable and punctual approach and a willingness to complete routine kitchen duties.

· Able to work weekdays and alternate weekends as required.

• The ability to remain calm and work at an appropriate pace during busy periods.
• A willingness to improve their skills and take on additional responsibility as competence develops.

Desirable

• Experience preparing a broader range of café dishes or working in a commercial kitchen would be an advantage.
• Level 2 Food Safety certification would also be beneficial, although training may be provided.

The role involves standing and walking for much of the working day, working in a hot and busy kitchen, bending, reaching and safely moving food, stock and equipment. Reasonable adjustments will be considered where appropriate. Although this description outlines the main responsibilities of the role, the Kitchen Assistant may be asked to undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the position. This job description may be reasonably amended to suit the needs of the business.

Pay: £10.85-£13.85 per hour

Expected hours: 15.0 – 35.0 per week

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person