A kitchen porter (often called a KP) keeps a commercial kitchen clean, stocked and safe so that chefs can cook without interruption. The core kitchen porter duties are washing pots, pans, crockery and utensils, cleaning floors and work surfaces, taking deliveries, rotating stock, emptying bins and helping with basic food preparation. It is one of the most common entry-level jobs in UK hospitality, and one of the most important: if the wash-up falls behind, the whole kitchen slows down.
This guide covers what a kitchen porter does on a typical shift, the skills employers look for, current UK pay, the hygiene and safety rules that apply, and a job description template you can adapt.
What does a kitchen porter do?
The kitchen porter is responsible for the back-of-house cleanliness and organisation of a kitchen. In a small restaurant one KP may cover the whole wash-up; in a hotel, airport food court or contract catering site there may be a team of porters working in shifts under a head KP or sous chef.
The National Careers Service describes the related kitchen assistant role as supporting chefs, washing and preparing food, using kitchen equipment, unloading deliveries, organising the storeroom and cleaning appliances, surfaces, floors and walls. A kitchen porter role covers most of these tasks, with the emphasis on cleaning and wash-up.
Kitchen porter duties and responsibilities
- Washing pots, pans, trays, crockery, glassware and cutlery by hand and using commercial dishwashers.
- Keeping work surfaces, sinks, floors, walls and equipment clean throughout service.
- Following the kitchen cleaning schedule, including deep cleans of ovens, fryers, extraction canopies and fridges.
- Receiving deliveries, checking items against the order and putting stock away quickly, with chilled and frozen goods first.
- Rotating stock using first in, first out (FIFO) and flagging out-of-date items.
- Basic food preparation such as peeling, washing and chopping vegetables.
- Emptying bins, separating recycling and food waste and keeping bin areas tidy.
- Handling cleaning chemicals safely in line with COSHH assessments and safety data sheets.
- Reporting broken equipment, pest sightings or hygiene problems to the chef in charge.
- Supporting the team at the end of service with close-down checks.
A typical kitchen porter shift
Most kitchen porter shifts follow the rhythm of service:
- Before service: set up the wash area, check the dishwasher is filled with detergent and rinse aid, put away the morning delivery and help with prep.
- During service: keep clean pans and plates flowing back to the pass, clear dirty items quickly and keep floors dry and free of trip hazards.
- After service: finish the wash-up, clean and sanitise surfaces, sweep and mop, empty bins and complete the daily cleaning checklist.
Shifts are often split, early or late, and include weekends and bank holidays. In busy venues the pace is fast, so stamina and the ability to stay organised under pressure matter more than experience.
Skills and qualities employers look for
- Reliability: turning up on time for every shift is the number one thing head chefs ask for.
- Speed and organisation: keeping on top of the wash-up during a busy service.
- Attention to hygiene: understanding cross-contamination, cleaning colour codes and safe chemical use.
- Physical fitness: standing for long periods, lifting crates and working in a hot environment.
- Teamwork: taking instructions from chefs and helping wherever needed.
- Safety awareness: handling knives, hot water and wet floors carefully.
Qualifications and training
There are no formal entry requirements. Many employers provide on-the-job training, and some ask porters to complete a Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering course early in their employment. Useful extras include COSHH awareness and manual handling training. Apprenticeships such as the Level 2 Catering and Hospitality Foundation route are another way in for younger applicants.
If you will be cleaning with chemicals, read our practical COSHH guide for cleaners, and see how teams avoid cross-contamination in our guide to cleaning colour codes.
Kitchen porter pay in the UK
Kitchen porter pay is usually hourly. From 1 April 2026 the legal minimum for workers aged 21 and over is the National Living Wage of £12.71 an hour, with £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds and £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices. The government has confirmed the National Living Wage will rise to £13.21 from April 2027.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| National Living Wage (21+) from April 2026 | £12.71 per hour |
| Full-time equivalent at 37.5 hours a week | About £24,780 a year |
| National Careers Service range for kitchen assistants | £19,000 starter to £25,000 experienced |
| Confirmed National Living Wage from April 2027 | £13.21 per hour |
Many employers pay above the minimum for evening, weekend or airport shifts, and tips or service charge may be shared with back-of-house staff. Since October 2024 the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act requires employers to pass on all tips to workers fairly.
Career progression
Kitchen porter is a common first step into a kitchen career. With experience, porters can become head KP, move into food preparation as a commis chef, or move across to front-of-house roles such as waiting staff or bar work.
Kitchen porter job description template
Job title: Kitchen Porter
Reports to: Head Chef / Sous Chef
Location: [Venue name and address]
Hours: [Full-time / part-time], shifts including evenings and weekends
Pay: £[rate] per hour plus share of tips
Purpose of the role: To keep the kitchen clean, safe and well organised so that the team can deliver high-quality food on time.
Main responsibilities:
- Wash and put away all kitchen equipment, crockery and utensils.
- Clean and sanitise surfaces, floors and equipment to the cleaning schedule.
- Receive and store deliveries correctly and rotate stock.
- Assist with basic food preparation when required.
- Manage waste and recycling.
- Use cleaning chemicals safely and follow food safety procedures.
Requirements: Reliable, hard-working, able to work at pace and stand for long periods. Previous kitchen experience is helpful but not essential, as full training is provided.
Need reliable kitchen and food service staff?We supply trained back-of-house and front-of-house teams for hospitality, airport and event sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main duties of a kitchen porter?
Washing pots, pans and crockery, cleaning the kitchen, putting away deliveries, rotating stock, managing waste and helping with basic food preparation.
Do you need experience to be a kitchen porter?
No. Most employers train new porters on the job. Reliability and a good attitude matter more than experience.
How much does a kitchen porter earn in the UK?
At least the National Minimum Wage for their age. For workers aged 21 and over that is £12.71 an hour from April 2026, rising to £13.21 from April 2027.
Is kitchen porter a hard job?
It is physically demanding and fast-paced during service, but it is also a quick way to learn how a professional kitchen works.
What is the difference between a kitchen porter and a kitchen assistant?
The roles overlap. Kitchen porters focus mainly on cleaning and wash-up, while kitchen assistants usually spend more time on food preparation.
Staffing your kitchen
WWSG provides trained kitchen porters, food service assistants and hospitality teams for venues, events and airport outlets. Find out more about our food and beverage services or contact us to discuss your rota.