Kitchen Assistant

Upper Crust Food Service; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Upper Crust Food Service is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to help keep the back of house running. You will prep what the Head Chef and Sous Chef need, maintain a clean kitchen and dining area, wash utensils and dishes, and ensure ample supplies are stocked for service.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years in a full-service restaurant and can obtain a food safety certification within 30 days. A background check is required.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in a full-service restaurant as a prep or line cook preferred.
• Food safety handler and sanitation certification, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.
• Working knowledge of cooking methods, ingredients, and kitchen equipment.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• High school or vocational coursework in kitchen basics, such as food safety, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prep food as directed by the Head Chef and/or Sous Chef.
• Keep the kitchen and dining room clean and sanitary.
• Wash utensils, equipment, and dishes.
• Stock supplies at serving stations, cupboards, refrigerators, and salad bars.
• Help unload and put away deliveries.
• Sort and remove trash to designated pickup areas.
• Communicate regularly with management by phone, email, and text.

Skills

Prep food

Kitchen cleanliness

Dishwashing

Stock supplies

Unload deliveries

Trash sorting

Communication

Cooking methods

Food safety

Background check

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

At Upper Crust Food Service we believe great food does more than fill plates, it creates connection, strengthens communities, and transforms everyday experiences. Across college campuses, K-12 schools, camps, and Greek housing, our teams bring hospitality to life through fresh food, meaningful relationships, and service people can count on. While we began serving fraternity and sorority communities more than 15 years ago, we've grown into a national hospitality partner supporting a wide range of dining programs across the country. No matter the setting, our purpose remains the same: to show up for the people we serve and for one another.

The Role

Kitchen Assistants keep the back of house running — prepping what the Head Chef and Sous Chef need, keeping the kitchen spotless, and making sure supplies are stocked and ready. This is a role for someone who takes pride in the unglamorous work that makes every meal possible.

Instructions

• Prep food as directed by the Head Chef and/or Sous Chef
• Keep the kitchen and dining room clean and sanitary
• Wash utensils, equipment, and dishes
• Stock supplies at serving stations, cupboards, refrigerators, and salad bars
• Help unload and put away deliveries
• Sort and remove trash to designated pickup areas
• Communicate regularly with management by phone, email, and text
• 2+ years in a full-service restaurant as a prep or line cook preferred
• Food safety handler and sanitation certification, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment
• Working knowledge of cooking methods, ingredients, and kitchen equipment
• Ability to pass a background check
• High school or vocational coursework in kitchen basics, such as food safety, preferred

Chef's Notes

• The work environment can be loud and busy, with kitchen hazards such as hot surfaces and liquids, sharp knives, and slippery floors
• Exposure to extreme heat or cold is possible depending on the kitchen environment
• Required to stand for long periods, up to 8+ hours, as well as walk, bend, and stoop
• Must be able to lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals

If you're looking for meaningful work, real ownership, and a team that believes hospitality can make a difference, we'd love to meet you.

Upper Crust Food Service provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.