Kitchen Helpers

Kitchen helpers assist chefs or head cooks with less-skilled tasks in kitchens.

Kitchen helpers work in restaurants, cafeterias, fast-food outlets, and other public places where people eat and drink. Sometimes they assist head chefs or cooks with the less-skilled tasks required to prepare food.

Kitchen Helpers are in the Hospitality and Tourism career cluster and the Restaurants and Food and Beverage Services pathway.

Quick Facts

Source: Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and CareerOneStop.

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Wages for kitchen helpers vary by area of the country and employer. Wages are usually highest in fine restaurants and hotels.

A large percentage of kitchen helpers work less than full time. Those who work full time often receive benefits. These include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Those who work part time rarely receive benefits.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

• Dishwashers

 

Employment

In Minnesota, about 9,392 kitchen helpers work in this medium-sized occupation.

Major employers:

• Full-service restaurants
• Fast food restaurants
• Hotels and motels
• Nursing and personal care facilities

Outlook

Population growth will in part contribute to the demand for kitchen helpers as more people eat out. In addition, in an increasing number of families all parents are working. These families are more likely to go out to eat. The number of new jobs will be highest in full-service restaurants. Growth for this occupation will be slowed somewhat by the fact that many people eat at fast-food restaurants. They do not need the services of kitchen helpers as much as full-service restaurants do.

Many of the job openings will occur because kitchen helpers leave their jobs. This is common in occupations that require little training and offer flexible hours.

Employment Outlook for Dishwashers

	Employment		Employment Change
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
U S	510,200	546,000	35,900	7%
Minnesota	9,556	9,940	384	4%
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Central Minnesota	1,313	1,386	73	5.6%
Northeast Minnesota	900	924	24	2.7%
Northwest Minnesota	695	715	20	2.9%
Southeast Minnesota	810	827	17	2.1%
Southwest Minnesota	604	602	-2	-0.3%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	5,238	5,481	243	4.6%

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.

On the Job

Overview

Kitchen helpers assist chefs or head cooks with less-skilled tasks in kitchens.


Have you ever made bouillabaisse? This rich seafood and fish soup is a wonderful dish and certainly a crowd pleaser, but is also a lot of work. Depending on the recipe, you might be skinning fish, scrubbing mussels, and deveining shrimp. Onions, carrots, and celery must be peeled and then finely chopped. Add to that list garlic and herbs such as parsley and thyme. Then, stock must be made, simmered for hours into a fragrant broth. Vegetables must be sautéed in some oil. And only then can the other ingredients be added and combined and cooked slowly so that all the flavors meld.

Once in a while, it's nice to put in the effort for such a grand dish. But what if you're a chef and you have to make bouillabaisse every day? And not just for a family of four. Try 40, or 400! And that's not counting the other recipes the restaurant offers. What to do? Enter kitchen helpers.Kitchen helpers work in restaurants, cafeterias, fast-food outlets, and other public places where people eat and drink. Sometimes they assist head chefs or cooks with the less-skilled tasks required to prepare food. They clean and prepare food for cooking or serving. For example, kitchen helpers may peel and slice vegetables and fruits for salads. They may cut or chop meat or seafood before it is cooked. They may weigh and measure ingredients or stir soups and sauces. In fast food outlets, kitchen helpers often cook and serve simple menu items.

Sanitary conditions are very important in food production. Kitchen helpers are responsible for cleaning work areas and equipment. Their primary task is to maintain a very clean and organized work area. They remove trash to pickup areas and sweep and scrub floors. They also wash dishes, utensils, and pots and pans either by hand or using a dishwasher or steam cleaner. In addition, they keep supplies stocked in work areas and unload trucks that make deliveries. They sometimes stock serving stations, refrigerators, and salad bars and set up banquet tables.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Clean work areas, equipment, utensils, or dishes by hand or by dishwasher. Clean garbage cans with water or steam.
• Clean and prepare various foods for cooking or serving. May slice vegetables or cut meat.
• May cook or put together simple menu items in fast food restaurants.
• Carry supplies and equipment between storage and work areas.
• Stock serving stations, refrigerators, and salad bars with food and utensils.
• Load or unload trucks that deliver or pick up food and supplies.
• Set up banquet tables.
• Place clean dishes, utensils, and cooking equipment in storage areas.
• Maintain kitchen work areas, equipment, and utensils in clean and orderly condition.
• Sweep and scrub floors.
• Sort and remove trash, placing it in designated pickup areas.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Handle and move objects.
• Perform activities that use the whole body.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings.
• Control machines and processes.
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Evaluate information against standards.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a low level of social contact. They get instructions from supervisors, but spend most of their shift working alone.

Physical Work Conditions

• Often work indoors, but may work outdoors while unloading supplies from trucks.
• Sometimes wear uniforms such as aprons or jackets.
• Are on rare occasions exposed to hazardous situations when cutting or slicing. The likelihood of even slight injury is low.

Work Performance

• Must be sure that all details of the job are done and their work is exact. Errors could affect the health of customers.

Hours/Travel

• May work full time or part time.
• May work days, evenings, weekends, or holidays.
• May be required to work split shifts. For example, they might work from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., with time off in between.
• May be required to work rotating shifts. For example, they might work days one week and evenings the next.

Physical Demands

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Walk or run when transporting supplies.
• Repeat movements over and over.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Education & Training

Preparation

To work as a kitchen helper, you typically need to:

• complete short-term on-the-job training.

On-the-job training

Kitchen helper jobs tend to be entry-level jobs that require little or no previous work experience. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or GED.

On-the-job training

Most kitchen helpers learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. Training includes:

• preparing food;
• cleaning surfaces, dishes, and equipment; and
• handling food safely.

After training, another worker supervises your work for a short period. Training may last a few hours or a few days.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be food service specialists. This military occupation includes kitchen helpers. Training lasts nine to 14 weeks, depending on your specialty. Further training occurs on the job.

Related Programs (Current training programs available)

• Food Preparation/Professional Cooking/Kitchen Assistant

Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)

Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.

• Food Services

Helpful High School Courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:

• Culinary Arts
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Food and Nutrition
• Food Service

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Skills

People in this career need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.

Perceive and Visualize

• Know one's location in a physical setting and recognize where other objects are located in relation to oneself.

Knowledge

People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

• Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of providing special services to customers based on their needs.
• Food Production: Knowledge of planting, growing, and harvesting food for eating.

Interests

People in this career are people who tend to:

• Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like to work with plants, animals, and physical materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They often prefer to work outside.
• Have conventional interests. They like work activities that follow set procedures, routines, and standards. They like to work with data and detail. They prefer working where there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Tools & Technology for Dishwashers

Tools

Commercial use dishwashers Automatic dishwashing systems Commercial dishwashers Commercial glasswashers Moving dishwasher belts Pot-washing machines Power washers Dish drainer Dish drying racks Drain racks Domestic kitchen funnels Funnels Domestic trash compactors Kitchen trash compactors

Hand trucks or accessories Handtrucks Handheld thermometer Digital handheld thermometers Lifts Electric pallet lifters Remote reading thermometers Temperature indicator strips Soap dispensing brush Dish-cleaning brushes Wet mops Cleaning mops

Technology

Licensing / Certification

Most states require kitchen helpers to have a health certificate. This shows that these workers have taken a class that teaches safe food handling.

For information about optional national certification, go to:

ServSafe

http://www.servsafe.com/

Certification Details

No certifications are found for this career.

Licensing Details

No State of Minnesota license requirements are found for this career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and CareerOneStop.

Jobs

Find Jobs

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Hiring Practices

Most employers do not require experience, although experience is helpful when applying for a job. Students may be able to work part time while they are still in school.

Employers expect kitchen helpers to be able to work as part of a team. In addition, kitchen helpers must have good hygiene habits. This means they must wash their hands after using the restroom and before handling foods. Most employers require kitchen helpers to have a health certificate. This shows that kitchen helpers are free from diseases that could spread to people who eat the food they prepare.

Advancement Opportunities

Beginning kitchen helpers may advance after learning skills on the job. With basic food handling, preparation, and cooking skills, they may advance to jobs as assistant cooks or chefs. A high school diploma is not required for beginning jobs. However, it is recommended for those who wish to advance in this field. High school or vocational school courses in business math or business administration may be helpful. Larger restaurants and organizations generally offer the best chances for advancement.

Another way to advance is to complete training programs in culinary arts or food service management. Graduates of these programs often start as trainee chefs or assistant restaurant managers. However, to achieve the level of skill required of a head chef or cook in a fine restaurant requires many years of training and experience. Many chefs train as apprentices in professional training institutes.

Job Title Examples

Dish Technician,  Dishwasher,  Dish Room Worker,  Kitchen Steward,  Utility Aide 

Similar Careers

Below are careers similar to Kitchen Helpers you may be interested in reading about. If you are looking to broaden your job search, these careers require similar skills. Click on the names to link to their career profile.

Buspersons
Chefs and Dinner Cooks
Counter Attendants
Landscapers and Groundskeepers
Maids and Housekeepers
Short-Order Cooks

Related Industries

Below are industries related to Kitchen Helpers you may be interested in reading about. Employers in these industries typically hire Kitchen Helpers. Click on the names to link to their industry profile.

Business Management And Support Services
Eating And Drinking Places
Food Stores
Health Care Services
Hospitals
Hotels And Lodging Places
Museums, Zoos, And Gardens

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.