Kitchen assistant

J D Wetherspoon; Ashford; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading pub chain in Ashford is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to join its team. This role requires enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, with responsibilities including preparing and cooking food, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring food hygiene standards. The position offers competitive pay, a bonus scheme, and opportunities for career progression. Flexible shifts available including mornings and weekends, ideal for those looking for part-time work or a career path in hospitality.

Benefits

Free meal and drink when working

20% discount on food, drinks, accommodation

Paid holiday

Bonus scheme

Guaranteed-hours contracts available

Qualifications

• No experience needed, just a good attitude.
• Willingness to learn and a calm head under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook food to the correct specifications.
• Operate kitchen work stations.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and safety.

Skills

Enthusiastic

Teamwork

Ability to work under pressure

Willingness to learn

Job description

Job Ref 639836

Job Title Kitchen assistant

Pub The County Hotel, Ashford

Salary £12.41

Closing Date 21-10-2025

Vacancy Description

The ideal applicant – We’re looking for fun, enthusiastic, passionate people to join our hard‑working teams. No experience is needed, just a good attitude, a willingness to learn and a calm head under pressure. As a UK Top Employer with an award‑winning training programme, we know that we can teach you the skills you’ll need to succeed.

Whether you’re looking for a long‑term career or just some extra shifts, if you’re reliable, friendly and love working as part of a team – this role could be perfect for you.

What’s in it for you?

• competitive rate of pay
• a free meal and a drink, when working
• 20% discount on all food, drinks and hotel accommodation (for you and up to three guests), when not working
• £1 extra per hour, for hours worked during midnight‑5.59am
• bonus scheme – earn up to 19% of your pay
• availability of guaranteed‑hours contracts and variable‑hours contracts
• paid holiday
• free shares (after a qualifying period)
• loyalty reward scheme

The role

At a glance, your role is to work as part of a team to prepare and cook food and to help to keep the kitchen running smoothly, all while maintaining high standards of cleanliness, safety and customer service.

Our pubs open early and close late, so we offer great flexibility with shift patterns, including mornings, evenings, weekends and late finishes.

Duties Include

• preparing, cooking and presenting food to the correct spec
• operating kitchen work stations, including grills, fryers, microwaves and more
• working as a team to keep to time and quality targets
• following food hygiene and allergen, as well as health and safety, standards
• cleaning as you go, including full kitchen clean‑downs
• rotating stock and storing food safely
• completing required induction, role‑specific and ongoing refresher training and contributing to continuous improvement

Progression and development

Most Wetherspoon team leaders and managers started in the kitchen or behind the bar.

If you’re looking to progress, we can support your development with:

• structured on‑the‑job training.
• apprenticeships and management academies.
• cross‑training into other areas (bar, floor, hotel).
• opportunities to move into team‑leader, kitchen‑shift‑leader and/or pub‑manager roles.

Wetherspoon promotes an inclusive working environment where everyone is welcome.

When you’re at work, we want you to feel comfortable being yourself. Whatever your background, preferences or beliefs, we’ll ensure that you have the skills and knowledge you need for a great career with us.

Under‑18s may attract a lower rate of pay, always in line with, but usually above, national guidelines.

Read more about our kitchen associate role