Kitchen Hand / Food Prep Assistant

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 83,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly wage

On-the-job training

Growth opportunities

Friendly kitchen team

Job summary

Placements24 in Nelspruit is seeking a Kitchen Hand / Food Prep Assistant to support chefs with food preparation, dishwashing, and maintaining a clean, efficient kitchen. This entry-level position is ideal for someone eager to learn and contribute to high-quality meals for clients in Nelspruit.

You will assist with ingredient prep, hygiene practices, stock rotation, and basic cooking tasks while working as part of a friendly team. Flexible hours including some evenings and weekends are required.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a kitchen environment is advantageous but not essential.
• Ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team.
• Strong work ethic and reliability.
• Basic understanding of kitchen hygiene and safety practices.
• Physical stamina to stand for long periods and lift moderately heavy items.
• Willingness to learn and take on new tasks.
• Good attitude and a commitment to maintaining a clean workspace.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends for events.

Responsibilities

• Assist chefs and cooks with food preparation tasks, including washing, peeling, chopping and dicing ingredients.
• Wash and sanitize kitchen equipment, utensils and dishes.
• Maintain a high standard of cleanliness and organization in the kitchen, including floors, countertops and storage areas.
• Dispose of waste and recycling according to established procedures.
• Receive and store incoming food deliveries, ensuring proper rotation and storage.
• Support with basic cooking tasks as directed by senior kitchen staff.
• Follow all food safety and hygiene guidelines.
• Help set up and break down service areas as needed.
• Maintain stock levels for essential kitchen supplies.
• Perform other reasonable duties as requested by kitchen management.

Skills

Teamwork

Follow instructions

Work ethic

Kitchen hygiene

Physical stamina

Willingness to learn

Flexibility hours

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a bustling catering service in Nelspruit , is looking for an energetic and reliable Kitchen Hand / Food Prep Assistant to join their culinary team. This role is fundamental to the daily operations of the kitchen, assisting chefs with food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and ensuring efficient workflow. You will be involved in tasks such as washing dishes, chopping vegetables, preparing ingredients, and supporting the overall hygiene of the kitchen environment. The ideal candidate will be hardworking, possess a positive attitude, and be eager to learn. This entry-level position offers a great opportunity to gain experience in the catering industry and contribute to the successful delivery of delicious meals and services for clients in Nelspruit .

Key Responsibilities

• Assist chefs and cooks with food preparation tasks, including washing, peeling, chopping, and dicing ingredients.
• Wash and sanitize kitchen equipment, utensils, and dishes.
• Maintain a high standard of cleanliness and organization in the kitchen, including floors, countertops, and storage areas.
• Dispose of waste and recycling according to established procedures.
• Receive and store incoming food deliveries, ensuring proper rotation and storage.
• Support with basic cooking tasks as directed by senior kitchen staff.
• Follow all food safety and hygiene guidelines.
• Help with setting up and breaking down service areas when needed.
• Assist in maintaining stock levels for essential kitchen supplies.
• Perform any other reasonable duties as requested by the kitchen management.

Requirements

• Previous experience working in a kitchen environment or as a general assistant is advantageous but not essential.
• Ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team.
• Strong work ethic and reliability.
• Basic understanding of kitchen hygiene and safety practices.
• Physical stamina to stand for long periods and lift moderately heavy items.
• Willingness to learn and take on new tasks.
• Good attitude and a commitment to maintaining a clean workspace.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, as required for events in Nelspruit .
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have own transportation or reliable means to get to work.

Benefits

• Competitive hourly wage.
• Opportunity to gain valuable experience in the catering industry.
• On-the-job training and development.
• Be part of a supportive and friendly kitchen team in Nelspruit .
• Potential for advancement to other kitchen roles for dedicated individuals.