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Kitchen Helper

Other names for this job

• Dishwasher
• Kitchen Helper and Food Assembler
• Food Preparer

What do kitchen helpers do?

Kitchen helpers work in restaurants, hospitals, schools and other places. Kitchen helpers clean kitchens and prepare food. A cook gives them instructions. Kitchen helpers often work part time.

What is a kitchen helper’s work like?

Ken works an 8-hour shift. He works from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. He often has to work on weekends and holidays. Ken works with a team of people in the kitchen.

Ken has to stand while he works. He also has to carry trays of dishes and bags of garbage. These things can weigh up to 20 kilograms (about 45 pounds).

The kitchen can be very noisy. The ovens and stoves are very hot. The fridges and freezers are very cold.

When it is busy, Ken has to work very quickly. He must be careful. Clean dishes in the dishwasher can be hot. So can hot pans on the stove. Ken doesn’t want to burn himself.

Ken uses sharp knives. He doesn’t want to cut himself. Sometimes the floor is slippery and wet. He doesn’t want to fall.

Do you want to be a kitchen helper?

• You need to be healthy.
• You need to be very clean. For example, your hands and fingernails must be clean. Your hair must be clean and tidy.
• You must be able to understand instructions. For example, a cook may give you a list of things to do. You must do them quickly and carefully. You must do them in the correct order.
• You must work well with a team.
• You need to like working with food.

What education do kitchen helpers need?

• Kitchen helpers learn on the job. They don’t need a high school diploma.
• It is good to have training in food safety. People can take food safety courses at some post-secondary schools and other places.

What can kitchen helpers do in the future?

Some kitchen helpers with experience become assistant cooks or supervisors. Supervisors may need a high school diploma.

Kitchen helpers who want to become cooks can take post-secondary courses. They can also take an apprenticeship program.

How much does a kitchen helper make?

Do you want more information?

Do you want more information? You can ask your career advisor or tutor for help.

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