Do I need experience to be a kitchen porter?

Not always. Kitchen porter is a common first job in hospitality, and kitchens often train you on the job. Show reliability and a willingness to work hard, and mention any cleaning or catering work you have done.

Do I need a food hygiene certificate?

It is not always required for a kitchen porter, but a Level 2 food hygiene certificate helps, especially if you will do some prep. You can often complete the course online.

How do I show I want to progress in a kitchen?

Say which tasks you have helped with, such as prep or plating, and that you would like to learn more. Managers notice who is keen.

I have never written a CV. Where do I start?

Start with your last job and list what you did on a normal shift. Ceev can do this for you by writing your CV from your own answers, typed or spoken, and showing a free preview.

Kitchen porter CV example

A strong kitchen porter CV shows that you keep a busy kitchen clean, safe and moving. Employers like to see reliability with early, late and weekend shifts, basic food hygiene knowledge and a steady, tidy way of working when service is busy.

Profile

Reliable kitchen porter with two years of experience keeping a busy restaurant kitchen clean and running smoothly through lunch and dinner service. Skilled at washing up, waste handling and deep cleaning to hygiene standards, and happy to help the chefs with simple prep. Holds a Level 2 food hygiene certificate and is flexible with evenings and weekends.

Experience

Kitchen Porter

a 70-cover restaurant in a city centre

Washed pots, pans and crockery through lunch and dinner service, keeping clean stock ready for the chefs

Cleaned floors, surfaces, extraction filters and equipment at close, following the cleaning schedule

Used cleaning chemicals safely, following COSHH labels and dilution guidance

Took in deliveries, checked them against the delivery note and stored them in the right fridges and stores

Helped the chefs with simple prep, such as peeling and chopping vegetables

Kitchen Porter (weekends)

a busy pub kitchen

Worked Friday to Sunday shifts, clearing and washing up through busy Sunday lunches

Emptied bins and kept the bin store clean and tidy

Kept the kitchen floor clear and dry to prevent slips

Arrived on time for every rostered shift, including bank holidays

Example · fictional candidate · Harbour design · Use this design

Tips for a kitchen porter CV

Lead with reliability and say that you turn up on time for early, late and weekend shifts
Name the size and type of kitchen, such as a 70-cover restaurant or a hotel kitchen, so the reader can picture your work
List your food hygiene certificate and its level clearly
Mention cleaning tasks beyond washing up, such as deep cleans and safe use of chemicals
Show that you can work fast and stay tidy when service is busy
If you want to move into cooking, say so, and mention any prep tasks you have helped with

Applying with a cover letter? See our kitchen porter cover letter example.