Kitchen Assistant
Job Info Type: Temporary Location: Leeds Location: London Location: Birmingham Location: Manchester Location: Hertfordshire Wages: £12.21 per hour
We are recruiting hardworking and enthusiastic Kitchen Assistants for casual and temporary roles across schools, care homes, hospitals, and contract catering sites. Whether you are new to the industry or have prior kitchen experience, we offer a supportive environment with on-the-job training — ideal for candidates who enjoy working as part of a team in a fast-paced, hands-on setting.
Responsibilities
- Assisting chefs and kitchen staff with food preparation, including washing, peeling, and chopping ingredients
- Supporting the smooth running of meal service by delivering food to service counters and replenishing stock
- Operating dishwashers and carrying out hand-washing of utensils, pots, and equipment
- Maintaining a clean and sanitised kitchen environment, including surfaces, floors, and equipment
- Following HACCP procedures, including correct date-labelling and temperature monitoring of food items
- Assisting with delivery checks, stock rotation (FIFO), and correct storage of food and supplies
- Supporting set-up and close-down of kitchen stations at the start and end of each shift
- Disposing of waste correctly and keeping recycling areas clean and organised
Skills / Qualifications
- Previous kitchen or food handling experience is an advantage — full on-the-job training is provided
- Basic understanding of food hygiene and safety practices; Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate is desirable
- Ability to work efficiently as part of a busy kitchen team under time pressure
- Reliable, punctual, and hardworking with a positive, can-do attitude
- Good attention to detail, particularly around hygiene standards and food safety compliance
- Ability to follow instructions from chefs and supervisors accurately
- Physical stamina to stand for extended periods and handle kitchen equipment safely
- DBS check preferred for roles within schools, care homes, or healthcare environments
Benefits
- Immediate Start; Start work right away with no delays
- Flexible Shifts; Various shift patterns including weekends
- Hot Meals on Shift; Complimentary hot meals during every shift
- Weekly Pay; Market-leading weekly pay rates
- 150+ Sites; Access to 100+ sites
- Career Progression; Training days & upskilling opportunities on site