Kitchen Assistant job description.
A kitchen assistant supports the daily operations of a commercial kitchen by helping with food preparation, cleaning, and basic cooking tasks under the direction of chefs and cooks. They wash and sanitize equipment and workstations, stock ingredients and supplies, and assist with plating and simple prep work during service. The role is a hands-on, entry-level position requiring reliability, teamwork, and attention to food safety.
The Kitchen Assistant job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 9 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Kitchen Assistant Reports to: Kitchen Manager or Sous Chef
A kitchen assistant supports the daily operations of a commercial kitchen by helping with food preparation, cleaning, and basic cooking tasks under the direction of chefs and cooks. They wash and sanitize equipment and workstations, stock ingredients and supplies, and assist with plating and simple prep work during service. The role is a hands-on, entry-level position requiring reliability, teamwork, and attention to food safety.
- Wash, peel, chop, and prepare ingredients per recipe specifications
- Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, utensils, and workstations
- Stock and rotate food supplies and ingredients following FIFO practices
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
9 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
5 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Kitchen Manager or Sous Chef
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Wash, peel, chop, and prepare ingredients per recipe specifications
- Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, utensils, and workstations
- Stock and rotate food supplies and ingredients following FIFO practices
- Assist cooks and chefs with basic food preparation during service
- Help with plating, garnishing, and portioning of dishes
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment
- Take out trash, recycling, and kitchen waste as needed
- Receive and store deliveries according to food safety guidelines
- Follow all food safety and sanitation standards
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred, not always required
- Basic knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices
- Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lb
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends
- Ability to work efficiently as part of a team in a fast-paced setting
- Prior kitchen or food service experience
- Food handler's certification
- Basic knife skills
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Kitchen Assistant job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Kitchen Assistant job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The entry band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Kitchen Manager or Sous Chef) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Does a kitchen assistant need prior experience?
- No, this is typically an entry-level role; most employers provide on-the-job training, though prior food service experience or a food handler's card can be a plus.
- What's the difference between a kitchen assistant and a line cook?
- A kitchen assistant handles prep, cleaning, and support tasks, while a line cook is responsible for actually cooking and plating menu items at an assigned station during service.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Kitchen Helper
A kitchen helper provides general support to cooks and kitchen staff in a restaurant, catering, or institutional kitchen.
Kitchen Manager
A Kitchen Manager oversees daily kitchen operations in a restaurant or food service establishment, ensuring food quality, safety, and efficiency.
Kitchen Staff Member
A kitchen staff member supports food preparation and service in a restaurant, cafeteria, or catering kitchen.
This Kitchen Assistant job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.