Kitchen Assistant

careers-ucfs; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Upper Crust Food Service is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to support the Head Chef and Sous Chef, ensuring back-of-house operations run smoothly, prepping as needed, and keeping areas clean and stocked.

The role emphasizes pride in unglamorous work, quick adaptation in a busy kitchen, and reliable coordination with management via phone, email, and text. Background checks and safety certifications may be 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

Food safety handling

Sanitation

Cooking methods knowledge

Physical endurance

Education

High school diploma or vocational kitchen basics education

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

Ingredients

• 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.