Kitchen Porter Job Description
A kitchen porter is an entry-level restaurant job that gives many their start in the food industry. The main job of a kitchen porter is to help the restaurant they work in be as clean and organized as possible. This enables chefs and line cooks to focus on creating the best dishes for guests instead of worrying about kitchen cleanliness.
Kitchen porters will be asked to clean the pots, pans, and other dishes that chefs use to make meals. They will also be tasked with ensuring that cookware is sanitary and placed in the correct places. Many kitchen porters also play a role in the food preparation process. Depending on the restaurant, this may include washing, peeling, and cutting ingredients. Some restaurants ask food porters to support the chefs by putting together basic salads and desserts.
Kitchen Porter Job Description Template
Our restaurant is looking to add a skilled kitchen porter to our team. In this role, you will be asked to support our kitchen staff by washing, cleaning, and sanitizing cookware, dishes, and utensils. You will also play a basic role in the food preparation process. This will include washing, cutting, and peeling ingredients as directed by your supervisor.
You will also be tasked with helping us maintain our inventory and refilling food supplies when they are low. To find success in this role, you will need to pay close attention to detail and be willing to follow instructions. Additionally, it’s essential that our restaurant’s kitchen porters follow the best practices in food health and safety. Existing knowledge of these practices is preferred.
Kitchen Porter Responsibilities:
- Clean and sanitize cookware, dishes, utensils, and cooking stations throughout the kitchen.
- Sweep and mop the kitchen area as needed.
- Assist our chefs by preparing ingredients. This may include chopping, slicing, washing, and peeling vegetables and meats.
- Receive deliveries, unpack them, and place them in the appropriate location.
- Maintaining ingredient inventory and organization in all refrigerators, freezers, and storage areas.
- Follow the directions of kitchen supervisors to provide support through the completion of additional tasks as necessary.
Kitchen Porter Requirements:
- Previous restaurant experience is preferred
- A high school degree or GED is preferred
- Food handler’s license
- Willingness to work nights and weekends
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced restaurant setting
- Ability to follow instructions with an upbeat attitude
- Strong teamwork skills
Kitchen Porter FAQ
What tasks does a kitchen porter do?
Restaurants hire kitchen porters to improve the cleanliness and organization of their kitchens. With that in mind, employees in this role will be asked to complete a variety of tasks. These typically include washing cookware, sanitizing work stations, storing deliveries, and managing inventory. Kitchen porters will also be asked to complete basic food preparation tasks.
What should I include in my kitchen porter help-wanted ads?
We recommend that you follow the template we’ve shown above. Start with a compelling general overview of the job before moving into bulleted lists that highlight the responsibilities and requirements of the position. This is the best way to ensure that your help-wanted ads have all of the information that your applicants need to know before sending in their resume.
Can I use your kitchen porter job description template?
Absolutely! However, make sure that you include any details that differentiate your kitchen porter description from what we’ve described here. Doing so will make it clear to your applicants what you will expect from them and what they will be tasked with doing in your restaurant. When done well, adding the right details can differentiate your available position from others, ultimately helping you to attract more qualified candidates.
