Despite the experience of recession all over the world, the food industry continues to flourish. After all who doesn’t need food? Working in the food industry may be tough but there are so many positions to choose from that will fit a person’s line of work.
What is a Kitchen Hand?
A Kitchen Hand is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and orderliness in the kitchen area of a restaurant or food business.
Duties of a Kitchen Hand
- A Kitchen Hand is responsible for keeping the restaurant clean by mopping and sweeping the floors.
- A Kitchen Hand is responsible for cleaning the utensils such as the knives and other equipment and appliances in the kitchen such as the refrigerator and blender. He is also responsible for cleaning the work stations of the cooks or chefs.
- A Kitchen Hand is responsible for separating the trash in terms of biodegradable and non-biodegradable cans. He is also responsible for cleaning and washing the garbage bins.
- He is also in-charge of washing and cleaning the pots, pans and trays used in the restaurant either by hand or by an automatic dishwasher.
- He is responsible for transferring stocks from the stockroom to the designated shelves in the pantry room.
- He is also responsible for arranging dinner and luncheon tables.
- He is also responsible for washing and preparing the vegetables needed for cooking.
- He is expected to promote sanitation in the kitchen area. He should also be efficient in terms organizing the pantry shelves.
Work condition of a Kitchen Hand
- A Kitchen Hand works as an assistant in the kitchen. This job can be physically tiring especially if during peak hours of the business schedules. He may also need to work in shifts and during holidays since these are the usual times that a restaurant is expecting many customers.
- He is expected to be physically fit and should be able to comply with the health requirements needed for the job.
Educational Requirements of a Kitchen hand
- There is no formal education needed to be a Kitchen hand. However he must have the initial knowledge in handling kitchen utensils such as knives and basic kitchen appliances.
- He may also attend a hospitality school to learn practical skills needed for the job.
Occupation and Progress of a Kitchen Hand
Since the basic commodity is food, it is not surprising for restaurants and food businesses to be really successful. Handling a job such as Kitchen Hand may be physically demanding, but for others who want to further their career in the food industry it may well be a very good training ground. At present there are several famous chefs who really started their dreams of working in their own businesses as assistants. The food business will also never go out of fashion, so to speak. There will always be available jobs for those who want to earn a decent living. A Kitchen Hand’s annual salary is at $31, 000. This will be a good start for those starting on a job and at the same time supporting themselves through school or helping the family out.