You may find it helpful to do a college course in a related subject like:

• introduction to employment in the hospitality industry
• general cookery
• food safety

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could get into this job by applying to do an apprenticeship, such as:

• Commis Chef Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Food and Beverage Team Member Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

You can apply directly to employers for a job as a dish washer or general kitchen hand, then train while you're working.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a kitchen porter from Caterer.com.

You'll need:

• the ability to work well with others
• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• the ability to use your initiative
• physical fitness and endurance
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As a kitchen porter you could:

• provide support to chefs
• wash, peel and prepare food items
• use a variety of kitchen equipment such as mixers, special knives and cutters
• unload deliveries
• organise the storeroom
• wash kitchen appliances, work surfaces, floors and walls

You could work at a restaurant, in an NHS or private hospital or in a factory.

Your working environment may be noisy and hot.

You may need to wear a uniform.