kitchen assistant

AESN LIMITED; Kingston upon Thames; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 15,000; Part time

Job summary

AESN LIMITED in Kingston upon Thames is seeking a hardworking kitchen assistant to support catering operations in residential care homes and healthcare settings. You will help with food preparation, serving meals, and maintaining hygiene standards.

The role requires a reliable team player with good English communication, basic HACCP knowledge, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. DBS check and Food Hygiene Level 2 are required after interview; training provided.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a kitchen, catering or hospitality environment.
• Basic knowledge of food safety, HACCP and allergen awareness.
• Excellent communication in English, both verbal and written.
• Reliable and hardworking with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Assist with basic food preparation, plating and serving meals.
• Support kitchen team with dining setup and service.
• Maintain cleanliness and high hygiene standards.
• Wash, sanitize and store cutlery, crockery and utensils.
• Follow food safety, HACCP and infection control procedures.
• Assist with receiving and restocking kitchen supplies.
• Carry out light domestic duties and waste disposal.
• Maintain records and log daily kitchen checks.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Catering/hospitality

Food safety

English communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

IT/logs

Education

Enhanced DBS

Food Hygiene Level 2

Job description

We are seeking a hardworking and dedicated kitchen assistant to join our team. The successful candidate will play a vital role in supporting catering operations and ensuring high standards of hygiene and food safety within residential care homes and healthcare settings. This paid position offers an opportunity to contribute to the well-being of residents by helping deliver nutritious, high-quality meals while developing valuable skills within the catering and healthcare sectors. The role requires excellent communication skills, a reliable attitude, and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a dynamic kitchen team.

Responsibilities

• Assist with basic food preparation, plating, and serving meals to residents or clients according to dietary guidelines.
• Support the kitchen team with setting up dining areas, arranging tables, and serving food and beverages.
• Maintain cleanliness and high hygiene standards across all kitchen, food storage, and dining areas.
• Wash, sanitize, and store cutlery, crockery, kitchen utensils, and cooking equipment efficiently.
• Ensure strict adherence to food safety, HACCP, and infection control procedures at all times.
• Help with receiving, organizing, and restocking kitchen supplies and food inventory.
• Assist with light domestic kitchen duties, including sweeping, mopping, and waste disposal.
• Maintain accurate records and log daily kitchen checks where required.
• Experience working in a kitchen, catering, or hospitality environment (care home or healthcare catering experience is advantageous); online training will be provided.
• Basic knowledge of food safety, hygiene regulations, and allergen awareness.
• Good IT skills for maintaining kitchen logs and documentation.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written.
• Hardworking, reliable, and attentive to detail in all aspects of food hygiene and preparation.
• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced team and independently when required.
• Strong organizational skills to manage tasks during busy mealtime service periods.

Key Role Details

• Job Types: Temporary, zero-hours contract-shifts of up to 40 hours a week available.
• Experience: Catering / Kitchen Experience: 6 months (preferred).

Licence/Certification

• Enhanced DBS (required after interview/ willing to apply).
• Food Hygiene Level 2 Certificate (required after interview / willing to complete online with us).