Kitchen Assistant CV Example
For kitchen assistants supporting food preparation and maintaining kitchen hygiene in restaurants, hotels, or catering operations. Emphasises your reliability, food safety awareness, and willingness to learn.
Recommended template: ElegantPro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Include your food hygiene certificate and any health and safety training you have completed.
- Describe the type of kitchen environment you have worked in and the volume of covers served.
- Highlight your eagerness to learn new skills and progress to more senior kitchen roles.
- Mention your reliability, physical fitness, and ability to work long shifts including evenings and weekends.
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Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Kitchen Assistant CV
A kitchen assistant CV should demonstrate your reliability, willingness to work hard, and basic food safety awareness. Employers hiring for kitchen assistant roles need staff who are punctual, physically capable, and eager to learn. Whether you are starting your first kitchen job or have experience supporting chefs in busy environments, your CV should emphasise your practical value to the kitchen team and your commitment to maintaining hygiene standards.
CV Structure
Use a simple reverse-chronological format with a brief profile, work experience, skills, and education. For each role, describe the kitchen type and the covers or meals produced. Include four to five responsibilities and one to two achievements per role. Keep the CV to one page — conciseness is valued for these roles.
CV Format
Choose a clean, straightforward template. Kitchen managers reviewing applications for assistant roles prioritise clarity and relevant information. Ensure your food hygiene certificate is prominently displayed and use bullet points for all duties and achievements.
CV Profile Examples
Experienced Kitchen Assistant
Hard-working and dependable kitchen assistant with three years of experience supporting busy restaurant and hotel kitchens across Birmingham. Confident with vegetable preparation, stock rotation, and maintaining spotless work stations during high-volume services of up to 150 covers. Holds a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and is keen to develop culinary skills towards a commis chef role.
School Kitchen Assistant
Reliable kitchen assistant with two years of experience in a primary school kitchen, supporting the preparation and service of nutritious meals for 280 pupils daily. Skilled in bulk food preparation, allergen labelling, and maintaining hygiene standards in line with local authority requirements. Holds an enhanced DBS check and a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.
Entry-Level Kitchen Assistant
Enthusiastic and physically fit individual seeking a kitchen assistant role to begin a career in the catering industry. Brings a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate obtained through college and experience helping at a family-run takeaway during weekends. Eager to learn from experienced chefs and contribute positively to a busy kitchen environment.
Write a two-to-three sentence summary stating your experience, the types of kitchens you have worked in, and your food hygiene certification. Mention your eagerness to learn and develop if you are early in your career.
Key Skills for Your Kitchen Assistant CV
Food Preparation
Peeling, chopping, and preparing raw ingredients to support chefs during food production and service.
Kitchen Hygiene
Cleaning work surfaces, equipment, and floors to meet food safety regulations and inspection standards.
Washing & Cleaning
Operating commercial dishwashers and hand-washing cooking equipment, pots, and utensils throughout service.
Stock Rotation
Receiving deliveries, checking dates, and storing items correctly using first-in-first-out principles.
Basic Knife Skills
Safely using kitchen knives for basic preparation tasks such as chopping vegetables and portioning ingredients.
Health & Safety
Following workplace health and safety procedures including manual handling, slip prevention, and fire safety.
Physical Stamina
Maintaining energy and focus during long shifts that involve standing, lifting, and repetitive physical tasks.
Teamwork
Working cooperatively with chefs and other kitchen staff to ensure smooth preparation and service delivery.
Work Experience Examples
For each role, describe the kitchen environment and the volume of meals or covers produced. Focus on preparation tasks, cleaning duties, and stock management. Include at least one achievement — such as hygiene rating contributions, reduced waste, or progression to additional responsibilities — to show your positive impact.
Kitchen Assistant
Pizza Express, Birmingham
Supported the kitchen team in a busy high-street restaurant serving an average of 120 covers per evening service across dine-in and delivery orders.
Responsibilities
- Prepared salad items, garnishes, and dessert components according to the restaurant's standardised recipes.
- Washed and sanitised cooking equipment, utensils, and work surfaces throughout service and at closing.
- Received daily deliveries, checked items against order sheets, and stored stock in the correct locations using FIFO rotation.
- Maintained kitchen floor cleanliness, emptied bins, and completed end-of-shift deep cleaning tasks.
- Assisted chefs with basic food preparation tasks during busy periods, including dough portioning and ingredient weighing.
Achievements
- Contributed to three consecutive 5-star food hygiene ratings by maintaining impeccable cleaning standards.
- Reduced delivery check-in time by 15 minutes per week by creating an organised storage labelling system.
- Recognised by the head chef for taking initiative and progressing from washing up to food preparation duties within four months.
Kitchen Assistant
Oaklands Primary School, Solihull
Assisted the school cook with meal preparation and service for 280 pupils across two lunch sittings in a local authority school kitchen.
Responsibilities
- Peeled, chopped, and prepared vegetables and salad items for the daily menu following the school's recipe cards.
- Served meals on the counter, ensuring correct portions and checking allergen wristbands before serving each child.
- Washed and sanitised all crockery, cutlery, and cooking equipment using the commercial dishwasher.
- Completed daily temperature logs for fridges, freezers, and hot-holding units as required by food safety procedures.
Achievements
- Maintained a zero-incident allergen record over an eighteen-month period through careful checking procedures.
- Received positive feedback from the school cook for reliability, with zero unplanned absences during term time.
Education & Qualifications
List your food hygiene certificate first. Follow with any catering courses or NVQs. Include GCSEs or equivalent qualifications, highlighting maths and English. If you have a DBS check relevant to school or care settings, mention this.
Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate
Fundamental food safety certification required for anyone working in a commercial kitchen environment.
Level 2 Award in Food Allergen Awareness
Training on the 14 major allergens and safe handling practices in food preparation.
Manual Handling Certificate
Safe lifting and handling training relevant to moving heavy supplies and kitchen equipment.
Enhanced DBS Check
Background check required for kitchen roles in schools, hospitals, and care settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
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