Hire Kitchen Porters
Hiring a kitchen porter begins with an excellent job description that highlights the role’s importance to a restaurant’s success. While a kitchen porter is an entry-level position, no restaurant can function well without one. Simply put, a clean and organized kitchen sets the stage for delicious food to be made daily.
Finding a kitchen porter begins with writing an enticing and compelling job description that evokes curiosity in job seekers. Create a job description that is clear, concise, and detailed. Are you looking for candidates who live near the restaurant? What is the schedule? Is prior restaurant experience required? Outline the responsibilities and requirements clearly. To make it fun and exciting, do not forget to include details about your restaurant! How long has the restaurant been around? Does it specialize in a particular cuisine? These details will help candidates picture themselves working in your restaurant. For candidates who are looking to break into the food and hospitality industry, working as a kitchen porter is a logical first step.
Aside from general job boards, it is best for hiring managers to post job announcements on industry-specific job boards, online groups, and in community groups as well. Getting referrals from restaurant employees themselves is a smart way to source candidates. Your staff may already know someone with experience as a kitchen porter so let them know about the job opening!
Kitchen Porter Responsibilities
The primary responsibility of a kitchen porter is to maintain the cleanliness of the kitchen. Tasks include cleaning the walls, stoves, grills, sinks, and all areas for meal preparation. Surfaces are carefully sanitized and disinfected to maintain safety standards. Kitchen porters check and clean various kitchen equipment such as mixers, pots, and pans. Sweeping, mopping floors, and taking out garbage may be additional responsibilities of kitchen porters. Depending on the needs of the restaurant, a kitchen porter also assists kitchen staff in preparing simple ingredients. Lastly, kitchen porters follow food health and safety standards while carrying out all tasks. They maintain good personal hygiene and wash their hands frequently.
Kitchen Porter Skills and Qualifications
The ideal candidate for a kitchen porter is someone who works well in a fast-paced restaurant environment with a calm and friendly attitude. Also, the candidate must be able to follow instructions and supervision well.
Most restaurants have a high school diploma or GED requirement. Prior experience in a restaurant setting an advantage but is usually not required. Most restaurants are willing to train their staff for this role.
The candidate should be able to meet the physical aspect of the job, be able to stand for long periods of time, and carry heavy equipment. Lastly, the ideal candidate should be available to work in shifts, on weekends, and on holidays.
A kitchen porter’s contribution to a restaurant’s success may not be very noticeable compared with other roles. However, it is in the little details that make a restaurant stand out. Time to look for and hire a good kitchen porter!
