Kitchen Porter Job Description (UK template)

A kitchen porter (KP) keeps a commercial kitchen running by washing pots, pans, crockery and utensils, cleaning the kitchen, putting away deliveries, emptying bins and helping with basic food preparation. It is a fast-paced, physical role and one of the most common ways into a career as a chef. Below is a complete job description you can copy for your restaurant, hotel, pub or catering site.

Kitchen Porter job description template

Job title

Kitchen Porter

Job purpose

To keep the kitchen clean, safe and organised so the chefs can work efficiently, meeting food hygiene and health and safety standards.

Key responsibilities

  • Wash pots, pans, crockery, glassware and utensils by hand and using the dishwasher
  • Keep the kitchen, floors, walls, fridges and storage areas clean throughout service
  • Receive deliveries, check them and put stock away using stock rotation (first in, first out)
  • Empty bins and separate waste and recycling correctly
  • Help chefs with basic food preparation such as washing and peeling vegetables
  • Follow cleaning schedules and complete cleaning records
  • Use cleaning chemicals safely in line with COSHH guidance
  • Report broken equipment, pests or hygiene issues to the head chef

Essential skills and experience

  • Hard-working and able to keep up in a busy kitchen
  • Reliable, punctual and willing to work evenings and weekends
  • Good team player who can take instructions
  • Physically able to stand for long periods and lift and carry

Desirable

  • Previous kitchen porter or hospitality experience
  • Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate
  • Interest in learning to cook or developing towards a commis chef role

Requirements

  • Right to work in the UK
  • Food hygiene training, often provided by the employer

Hours

Shifts follow service: lunches, evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Split shifts are common in restaurants. Full-time, part-time and casual roles are all widely available.

Want it tailored to your organisation? The free AI job description generator writes a version for your setting, seniority and must-haves in seconds.

Kitchen Porter pay in the UK

Kitchen porters in the UK are usually paid from the National Living Wage (£12.71 an hour from April 2026) to about £13.50, with higher rates in London and at hotels and contract caterers. Some roles add a share of service charge (tronc).

Pay ranges checked November 2026. They are typical ranges, not official figures: check local adverts before setting your rate.

Career progression

Kitchen porter, then commis chef, chef de partie, sous chef and head chef. Some KPs move into kitchen supervision or stores management.

Tips for writing your kitchen porter advert

  • Say whether tips or tronc are shared with kitchen porters.
  • Describe the type of kitchen and covers per service so candidates know the pace.
  • Mention free staff meals and whether uniform and safety shoes are provided.
  • If you train KPs to become chefs, say so. It attracts ambitious candidates.

Got a pile of applications for this role?

SwiftShortlist reads every CV against your kitchen porter job description and ranks them, with the reasons for each score. You make every decision.

Try it free

Frequently asked questions

What does a kitchen porter do?

Washes up, cleans the kitchen, puts away deliveries, empties bins and helps chefs with basic preparation so the kitchen runs smoothly.

Do kitchen porters need experience?

No. It is usually an entry-level role and training is given on the job, including food hygiene.

Can a kitchen porter become a chef?

Yes. Many chefs started as kitchen porters, moving to commis chef after learning basic preparation and kitchen routines.

How much does a kitchen porter earn in the UK?

Usually £12.71 to around £13.50 an hour from April 2026, more in London, and sometimes with a share of service charge.