Kitchen Assistant

Scotsdales; Fordham; Remote; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Scotsdales Garden Centre in Fordham is seeking a reliable Kitchen Assistant to support the busy café kitchen at weekends and throughout service. This hands-on role reports to the Head Chef and offers training for the right candidate, with a focus on cleanliness, food safety, and teamwork.

The role involves assisting with food prep, basic dishes, stock checks, deliveries, dishwashing and helping front-of-house teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in a kitchen, café or food prep is desirable but not essential.
• Positive, can-do attitude with willingness to learn.
• Ability to work well under pressure in a busy environment.
• Good attention to detail and commitment to cleanliness and hygiene.
• Reliable, punctual and a team player.
• Physically able for kitchen duties, including standing and manual handling.

Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day running of the kitchen during food preparation and service.
• Assist with basic food preparation tasks as directed, including preparation of ingredients and simple dishes.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness across all kitchen areas, including work surfaces, equipment, and floors.
• Wash dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment as required.
• Ensure waste is disposed of correctly and recycling procedures are followed.
• Assist with receiving and checking deliveries and monitor stock levels.
• Work cooperatively with kitchen and front-of-house teams to support a positive working environment.
• Take direction from senior kitchen staff and contribute to a flexible, team-focused approach.

Skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Punctuality

Reliability

Willingness to learn

Under pressure

Job description

Scotsdales, Fordham are looking for a reliable and hardworking Kitchen Assistant to support the smooth day-to-day operation of their busy café kitchen, throughout the weekends. This is a hands-on role, ideal for someone who enjoys working as part of a team in a fast-paced food environment and takes pride in maintaining high standards of cleanliness, organisation, and food safety.

Reporting to the Head Chef, you will play an important role in ensuring the kitchen operates efficiently, safely, and to a consistently high standard, particularly during peak service periods.

This position would suit someone with previous kitchen or food-preparation experience, although full training can be provided for the right candidate.

Main Duties

• Support the day-to-day running of the kitchen during food preparation and service.
• Assist with basic food preparation tasks as directed, including preparation of ingredients and simple dishes

Cleaning & Hygiene

• Maintain high standards of cleanliness across all kitchen areas, including work surfaces, equipment, and floors.
• Wash dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment as required.
• Ensure waste is disposed of correctly and recycling procedures are followed.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Follow all food safety, hygiene, and health & safety procedures at all times.

Stock & Deliveries

• Assist with receiving and checking deliveries.
• Support the kitchen team in monitoring stock levels and reducing waste.

Teamwork & Support

• Work cooperatively with kitchen and front-of-house teams to support a positive working environment.
• Take direction from senior kitchen staff and contribute to a flexible, team-focused approach.
• Be willing to support colleagues and assist with additional tasks as required.

Requirements of the Role

• Previous experience in a kitchen, café, or food preparation environment is desirable but not essential.
• A positive, can-do attitude with a willingness to learn.
• Ability to work well under pressure in a busy environment.
• Good attention to detail and commitment to cleanliness and hygiene.
• Reliable, punctual, and able to work as part of a team.
• Physically able to undertake kitchen duties, including standing for long periods and manual handling.

Rate shown is for those aged 21 and over, competitive rates for ages 18 – 20.

Job Types:

Full-time, Permanent

Pay:

From £12.75 per hour

Experience:

Previous experience in a kitchen preferable, but not essential