Startiing Kitchen Porter in the morning, Tips?

Blink182rock

Hi guys,

Starting in the morning in a 3 star Hotel. Have 0 experience in any similar role.

Any tips? What to expect etc ?

Also, what do i wear? Can't get hold of the boss in the Hotel ?

LowKeyReturn

Develop a very thick skin. Chef's are asshats it's almost part of the training. It's hard but honest work just don't take anything too seriously.

generalmental

Be prepared to sweat alot

GHOST MGG

they will probably give you a boiler suit or an apron to wear..dont wear anything expensive..wear cheap clothes and old runners to start with.make sure you can get non slip footwear..very important.Keep your head down and try and learn from the other porters on the shift.Kiss the head chefs arse or whoever is in charge on your shift,always a good move

Zeek12

Expect long hours and hard work! Its a good few years since I worked that type of job....but I doubt it has changed that much since. And don't wear good clothes because it will be hot and sweaty in there!
But don't be afraid to be yourself either, I would'nt spend too much time kissing ass. In my experience people respect you more in this type of job when you're not afraid to speak up for yourself.....provided you put the work in and are a team player of course.

joedared

OP Hope you dont mind my question. How did you get a position like this with NO EXPERIENCE?
Best of luck with the position. I am sure it will fall into place after the first week.

mikemac1

You'll probably get something to wear but if not then don't wear many layers as you'll be sweating! Do not wear good clothes, they will be wet and dirty by the end of a shift.

Non slip shoes are a must. Work should be providing these.

You'll get shouted at a lot. You'd be fired in an office for what many chefs do. But in my experience the biggest bullies of all are assistant duty managers.

Bin bags for the bins and bawl out anyone who just tosses rubbish in a bin without a bag. It's you that will be outside cleaning these if it happens.

Don't be afraid to ask for a staff meal or even just go ahead and make a hefty sandwich for yourself. It's not an issue for staff to get food and you'll be burning calories all day long. Keep the strength up.
If you're doing morning shift they hey, head in 20 minutes early, be sweet to the chef and get yourself a mega breakfast. Not on your first day or even first week but once you get settled in.

Good luck and by the end of this summer you'll be two stone lighter!

funkey_monkey

Hey Op, how did you get on?

murphym7

joedared wrote: »

OP Hope you dont mind my question. How did you get a position like this with NO EXPERIENCE?
Best of luck with the position. I am sure it will fall into place after the first week.

I did this job many years ago and don't think it has changed much since then. Experience is not required for this role.

OP, hope you got on well on your first day. Its been many years since I did this job, but it was not the worst that I have had. Cranky Chef's is about the worst of it. I got fed very very well and got a staff pint at the end of every night. It was grand, the shifts used to go super quick and the craic was usually pretty good.

Vego

mikemac1 wrote: »

You'll probably get something to wear but if not then don't wear many layers as you'll be sweating! Do not wear good clothes, they will be wet and dirty by the end of a shift.

Non slip shoes are a must. Work should be providing these.

You'll get shouted at a lot. You'd be fired in an office for what many chefs do. But in my experience the biggest bullies of all are assistant duty managers.

Bin bags for the bins and bawl out anyone who just tosses rubbish in a bin without a bag. It's you that will be outside cleaning these if it happens.

Don't be afraid to ask for a staff meal or even just go ahead and make a hefty sandwich for yourself. It's not an issue for staff to get food and you'll be burning calories all day long. Keep the strength up.
If you're doing morning shift they hey, head in 20 minutes early, be sweet to the chef and get yourself a mega breakfast. Not on your first day or even first week but once you get settled in.

Good luck and by the end of this summer you'll be two stone lighter!

This ^^^^^

fryup

murphym7 wrote: »

Cranky Chef's is about the worst of it..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz_01tjBwAE

not a job i'd fancy

thiarfearr

Did this a few years ago too, chefs I worked with were all grand, can get a bit hectic when its busy though. Steep anything thats laden with heavy grease,, keep the floor dry and don't put sharp knives into the bottom of the sink where you can't see them.

Blink182rock

joedared wrote: »

OP Hope you dont mind my question. How did you get a position like this with NO EXPERIENCE?
Best of luck with the position. I am sure it will fall into place after the first week.

They needed someone at v.short notice and I knew someone in there who let me know.

Thanks to everyone else who gave answers.
Sweating an tiredness is def' what I have been feeling since starting..my God!

Blink182rock

I literally haven't even time to reply tho every message or any questions because my hours are that long.. Tough tough job! let ye know soon !

nessebar

How does someone get experience ..i see in this thread ! Experience for what ? Its a pot and pan washing job. your head is stuck in the sink / most of the time. U sweep, pull out everything, surplus mop with hot water, scrub the floor, hoover or mop up the water, clean cooker taking by taking it apart, clean oven , ban-marie, big & small fridges / includint rubber trim & all parts, shelves. Clenaing using chemicals which u will know after 5 minutes of someone showing u what to spray, how to spray ..using goggles, industrial rubber gloves. No degree, no education needed, just let on your a fool & u like doing hard labour which pays minimum wage & which should be paying 15 euro p/ hr. And do have a thick skin as i did this **** job. When i asked the Chef how to clean his ****ty cooker, i was told ' don't **** on me ..just clean the ****n thing. ' So who's the real fool ..i ask ? This is typical, but i suppose if someone, if anyone presents themselves for such a respectless ..& thanks-less job, then what can you expect ? Remember the minute to present yourself for a kitchen porter interview, your indirectly telling the Chef, the owner, the manager ..that your a fool & you want to be ****ted upon. And guess what ? You will ! They call themselves Chef's, but i call them Chep's ..like the name for your dog ! Dogs ! As that's what alot of them are !! If i wasnt in need of the **** job at the time, i would have take the punk outside & given him a round -house to the jugular ! Stick that in you pipe !