Need info on a kitchen porter job!

Hogzy

Has anyone here on boards ever had the job of a kitchen porter? Im just wondering what its like and what the duties are like? Obviously each reteraunt will have different duties but the particular one im going to is relatively busy for lunch and early dinner.

All iv heard is that its an extremely tough job and the pay is bad.

AARRRGH

I used to be a kitchen porter.

My main tasks were washing dishes, bringing clean dishes to where they should be (e.g. near the chefs), and in general keeping the kitchen clean.

It was an easy enough job (I'm ok with physical labour) and I worked with sound people so it was a bit of a laugh.

I got minimum wage + free food. I made sure I ate a lot of free food.

herya

My friend worked as a kitchen porter for a while, he called it "I'm a kitchen assistant for dirty work". I used to visit him from time to time and he didn't look particularly abused.

Kitchen porters collect the dishes and cutlery for washing then load the dishwasher, or wash them if something is too dirty/heavy for the machine. They take out rubbish, put bags in the bins. Bring boxes of food from the storage area or the freezers. Mop the floor, clean up after work. This kind of work.

I guess it may be very easy or very hard depending on the workload and the atmosphere. Usually you're supervised by your chef who gives you things to do, some chefs will be easy to work with once you know your routine, some will keep you on your toes and make you work non stop so that they can sneak out for a fag.

Arathorn

I did it as my first job, very tough when its busy. Still remember using a paint scraper to clean the burnt pots errgh. But a jobs a job... and free cake!!

JONJO THE MISER

I did it and in all fairness it was not too hard, sure it would be mental in the morning after Brekfast and again at lunch but it was pretty chilled out and the chefs were a good laugh, got free Brekfast and lunch as much as i wanted and the best part about it was the manager used to leave me a few free pints in the bar after work:D, looking back on it now, it was one of the best Jobs i ever had.

far2gud

I did this for years when I was a teenager, try getting a job in a non-irish restaurant. Kitchens can be great craic and you get to see another countrys culture and food. Not for wimps though, it can be hard work and chefs can be c*n*s at times.

the_syco

far2gud wrote: »

chefs can be c*n*s at times.

Or in sme cases, all the time Was getting paid £2 an hour back then, and I was given every job the chefs didn't want to do.

Penn

Did it for a few weeks too. Basically what everyone here has said, washing pots and pans, loading up the large dishwashers, putting the cutlery and dishes away or bringing the to the chefs, taking out the rubbish, cleaning up.

Some times its all easy, some times it can be tough going. But its not the worst. Little real pressure. Can be good enough craic depending on the people you work with

AARRRGH

As the service industry goes, it's pretty handy because it's not customer facing...

CorkFenian

Not a good job for someone who thinks too much..If you're happy mucking in and spreading the load etc and having a laugh u'll be fine..If not u could find it tough going!!

Jammyc

From the 5 people I know who were KPs, Ive established that youve gotta be pretty thick skinned seeing as youll possibly take some hell of abuse from the chefs.

foxy06

Most chefs start out as KPs so it would be a great move if you want to be a chef. Bloody hard work though