KITCHEN CREW

As a kitchen crew, you would do basic food preparation, make sure that chefs have everything they need and be responsible for cleaning the kitchen. You would follow strict hygiene, health and safety rules.

 

You will not usually need any particular qualifications to work as a kitchen assistant. However, a good standard of general education would be useful.

 

To become a kitchen assistant, you will need to be able to carry out tasks quickly and competently. You will need to follow instructions. You will also need to use your initiative and work in a team.

 

Duties

Kitchens are often divided into sections. For example, vegetables could be prepared in one area, and meat and chicken in another area. As an assistant, you will often support the chef in a specific work section.

 

Your duties would also include:

 

• preparation of basic food

• unloading deliveries from suppliers

• organising the storeroom

• washing kitchen appliances, work surfaces, floors and walls

 

You would also help chefs get ready for serving food to customers. This could involve washing, peeling and trimming food items to make them ready for cooking when customers order them. You would use a variety of kitchen equipment such as automatic mixers, chipping machines and special knives and cutters.

 

Training and development

You will usually receive on-the-job training by the Head Chef or with an experienced member of staff. This may be combined with day-release to learn about food hygiene, health and safety, and food preparation techniques.

 

You may be encouraged to work towards industry qualifications, such as:

 

• Certificate in Food Preparation and Cooking

• Food Safety in Catering (often known as a food hygiene certificate)

• Hospitality and Catering Principles (Food Production and Cooking/Kitchen Services)

• Supervising Food Safety in Catering.