Where and when can I work?
The role of a catering assistant can be quite tiring, due to having to work long hours on occasions. With the kitchen being a potentially dangerous place to work in, it is important that those who work in kitchens are alert all the time. When working as a catering assistant you could expect to work 40-hour weeks, comprising of early mornings and late nights.
What can I earn?
A salary for working in this role would be around £9,500 a year, for those just starting out, increasing up to £15,000 with experience.
What are the benefits?
Employees often have the opportunity to work overtime in this role, meaning there is a potential to earn more than the basic salary.
Are there chances of promotion?
It is possible to work towards various different qualifications as well as completing courses, in order to be promoted to another role, such as a kitchen supervisor or a trainee chef.
What will I be responsible for?
Responsibilities as a catering assistant would include carrying out food hygiene preparation tasks, ensuring chefs have the food and equipment they need to do their job, while also helping to serve meals to customers.
Do I need any experience?
Previous experience of working in a kitchen is advantageous, however training is always given due to the nature of the role.
What attributes are needed?
In order to be successful in this role, you would need to confidently demonstrate your ability to work in a team, to keep calm in pressured situations, have an interest in food and catering, and the ability to work quickly.
Catering assistants help out in kitchens, taking care of all aspects of hygiene, as well as preparing food.
Who can I work for?
Many companies, large and small, employ catering assistants, so work in this role should not be hard to find. With major employers being hotels, pubs, restaurants and hospitals, there are currently around 400,000 catering assistants in the UK, with this number increasing all the time.