Culinary Lab Assistant - HACCP & Teaching Kitchen

Durban University of Technology; Durban; On-site; ZAR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Durban University of Technology invites applications for the Lab Assistant position in our Hospitality and Tourism Management labs at the Ritson Campus.

The Lab Assistant plays a critical operational role in maintaining high-quality kitchen environments, managing food stock and kitchen equipment, supporting academic staff during practical culinary sessions, and ensuring strict adherence to health, safety, and hygiene standards.

Qualifications

• National Diploma or NQF 6 in Hospitality/Catering/Professional Cookery.
• Minimum of 3 years relevant operational experience in a commercial kitchen, hotel school training facility, or food production environment.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and email/internet usage.

Responsibilities

• Practical Class Preparation: Set up ingredients, specialized tools, and commercial kitchen equipment for daily culinary practicals, demonstrations, and culinary assessment modules.
• Inventory & Store Operations: Receive, inspect, store, and issue raw ingredients, dry stock, and equipment. Maintain accurate stock registers and assist with routine auditing.
• Kitchen Sanitation & HACCP Compliance: Enforce strict hygiene, sanitation, and waste management protocols across all training kitchens, cold stores, and preparation areas.
• Equipment Maintenance & Safety: Perform daily operational checks on commercial kitchen machinery (ovens, refrigeration, cooktops), conduct basic maintenance reporting, and ensure health and safety protocols are followed.
• Support to Teaching Staff: Provide operational and technical support to academic staff and students during scheduled practical kitchen sessions and departmental food events.
• Undertake any additional duties assigned by HOD.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Education

National Diploma or NQF Level 6 in Hospitality/Catering/Professional Cookery/Food & Beverage Management

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Email

Internet

Job description

Durban University of Technology invites applications for the Lab Assistant position in our Hospitality and Tourism Management labs at the Ritson Campus.

The Lab Assistant plays a critical operational role in maintaining high-quality kitchen environments, managing food stock and kitchen equipment, supporting academic staff during practical culinary sessions, and ensuring strict adherence to health, safety, and hygiene standards.