Kitchen assistant job description: Roles and responsibilities

What does a kitchen assistant do?

In a kitchen assistant job at Greene King, you’ll be at the heart of our buzzing culinary crew. With over 2,700 pubs and restaurants up and down the UK, we dish up countless tasty meals every week, and kitchen assistants keep us operating like a well-oiled machine. 

The role of a kitchen assistant is as varied as it is exciting. You’ll start out handling the basics, with plenty of opportunities to learn and evolve. It’s a hands-on kitchen job, which means you’ll gain experience in every corner of the kitchen. Here’s a flavour of the kitchen assistant job responsibilities you can expect. 

• Supporting the kitchen team: From washing dishes to prepping ingredients, you’ll dig in with vital assistance to chefs and kitchen managers. You’ll make sure they have everything on hand to deliver the food that keeps our customers coming back for more. Kitchen assistants are the helping hands who are always ready to step in. 

• Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene: One of the key responsibilities of a kitchen assistant is to keep everything squeaky clean. This includes washing utensils, cleaning surfaces, and ensuring the kitchen is up to health and safety standards. 

• Keeping stocked up: As anyone who’s worked in a kitchen is all too aware, not having key supplies to hand can be chaotic. Kitchen assistants keep everything neatly stored, well-stocked, and ready for action, making sure we never run low on the essentials during service. 

• Assisting in food prep: From chopping veg to setting up dishes, you’ll help with basic food prep and support the team in getting meals sent out piping hot and in plenty of time. 

How to be a good kitchen assistant

The recipe for a great kitchen assistant is equal parts practical skills and can-do attitude. The best kitchen assistants are those who bring energy and enthusiasm to every shift. If you’re a dab-hand at cooking up a storm and love working in tight-knit teams, you’ll thrive in the role of a kitchen assistant. 

Here’s some of the key skills and qualities we look for in kitchen assistants at Greene King.

• Being a team player: Kitchen assistants are key components of our team, and working well with others is essential to delivering great experiences. Being able to communicate clearly and support your colleagues is important in this role. 

• Attention to detail: From ensuring cleanliness to prepping food to perfection, an eye for detail is a must. Getting things just right is what keeps our kitchen running smoothly and our food up to scratch. 

• Flexibility: Life in the kitchen moves fast. You’ll need to expect the unexpected as a kitchen assistant. Whether it’s helping out with a last-minute task or handling a big order out of the blue, you need to be adaptable and ready to roll up your sleeves. 

• A positive mindset: Greene King kitchens are busy. Being able to work under pressure while keeping a smile on your face is the secret sauce in our team. Keeping the energy high when the orders pile up is what makes a great kitchen assistant. 

What experience do you need for a kitchen assistant job?

No experience? No problem. A kitchen assistant role at Greene King is a great opportunity for people who want to get their foot in the kitchen door. We’re committed to untapping potential, and our kitchen assistants learn on the job. If you have a thirst for knowledge, we’ll give you all the training you need. 

While you don’t need to know your way around the kitchen yet, previous experience in fast-paced environments is an advantage. Similarly, being able to show how you work in teams will help you thrive. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to take these skills further and keep the kitchen ticking along smoothly.

Why work as a kitchen assistant at Greene King

There’s no better place to grow and learn than a Greene King kitchen. We pour happiness into everything we do, and that includes taking care of our kitchen assistants. We’re committed to helping you develop in your role and grow within the company. With access to training, apprenticeships, and a culture of internal mobility, you can take your career wherever you want to. 

When you join Greene King as a kitchen assistant, you’ll also have access to our comprehensive rewards package. This includes everything from discounts for yourself and your loved ones to wellness, financial, and mental health support. When combined with the fun, supportive team you’ll be working with, a kitchen assistant job at Greene King is an opportunity like no other.

Cook up a storm in a kitchen assistant job

A kitchen assistant role is perfect for anyone looking to gain hands-on experience and kickstart their career. Whether you’re just starting out or moving into a kitchen career, there’s a place for you to unleash your potential at Green King. See our tips for crafting a kitchen assistant CV, and get ready to apply.

Join our team and get set to cook up something special. Explore our kitchen assistant jobs today.