16 Kitchen Helper Skills for Your Career and Resume

Kitchen helpers are responsible for keeping the kitchen clean and organized and for preparing food. They need to have a variety of skills to be successful in this role. If you’re interested in becoming a kitchen helper, it’s important to understand what skills are necessary for the job.

Teamwork

Teamwork is the ability to work well with others. As a kitchen helper, you may be part of a team that includes cooks and other kitchen staff. Being able to work together can help everyone complete their tasks more efficiently and safely. It’s also important to be friendly and supportive toward your coworkers so they feel comfortable asking for your help when needed.

Physical Stamina

Kitchen helpers often work long hours and may be on their feet for most of the day. Having physical stamina allows kitchen helpers to complete tasks quickly, which can help them meet production goals and reduce stress for other employees. Physical stamina also helps kitchen helpers maintain a fast pace throughout the day so they don’t get fatigued or distracted by pain.

Baking

Baking is a skill that kitchen helpers often use in their work. They may be responsible for preparing and baking desserts, which requires them to know how to read recipes and follow directions accurately. It’s also important for kitchen helpers to understand the importance of following food safety regulations when handling raw ingredients.

Attention to Detail

Attention to detail is the ability to notice small details and make sure they are correct. As a kitchen helper, you may be responsible for preparing ingredients or cleaning dishes. Attention to detail can help ensure that your work is accurate and complete. It can also help you identify any potential safety issues in the kitchen, such as food that might have gone bad or equipment that needs repair.

Safety & Sanitation

Safety and sanitation are two important skills for kitchen helpers to have. Kitchen helpers should be able to follow the restaurant’s safety protocols, including wearing the proper protective gear when handling certain ingredients or cleaning chemicals. They also need to know how to properly clean dishes and other kitchen equipment so that they don’t contaminate food.

Communication

Communication is the ability to convey information clearly. As a kitchen helper, you may be asked to relay messages between other employees or managers and customers. You also need to communicate with your coworkers about food preparation and service. For example, if one of your fellow kitchen helpers asks you for an ingredient, it’s important that you can answer them clearly so they can complete their task.

Portion Control

Portion control is the ability to accurately measure and prepare food. As a kitchen helper, you may be responsible for preparing ingredients or cooking dishes that require specific amounts of each ingredient. For example, if you’re making pasta, you might need to know how much flour to use in order to make enough noodles for everyone who orders it.

Dishwashing

Dishwashing is a necessary skill for kitchen helpers because it’s their job to clean the dishes and utensils used in preparing food. They also may be responsible for cleaning other surfaces, such as countertops, tables and floors. Dishwashers are often available to help with this task, but kitchen helpers should know how to wash dishes by hand if there isn’t a dishwasher available.

Punctuality

Punctuality is the ability to be on time for an event or appointment. Being punctual can help kitchen helpers maintain a schedule and keep their coworkers happy. It’s important to arrive at work before your shift starts so you have enough time to prepare yourself, get dressed and review any necessary information. You should also try to arrive early for meetings with customers so you can give them your full attention.

Customer Service

Customer service skills are important for kitchen helpers because they help you interact with customers and provide them with the best experience possible. You may need to answer questions about menu items, suggest food pairings or explain how dishes are prepared. Customer service skills can also help you resolve any issues that arise during a meal, like if someone’s food is undercooked or if there’s an issue with payment.

Time Management

Time management is the ability to plan and track your work so you can complete tasks on time. As a kitchen helper, it’s important to manage your time well so you can finish preparing food before the lunch or dinner rush. It also helps to be punctual when arriving at work each day. This ensures that you’re ready to start working as soon as possible and reduces the chance of being late for other duties.

Cooking

Cooking is a very important skill for kitchen helpers to have, as they often prepare food and cook meals. Having cooking skills can help them be more efficient in their job and also allow them to learn how to make new dishes or recipes on their own. Kitchen helpers should try to take any available cooking classes at their workplace so they can improve their cooking abilities.

Organization

Organization is the ability to keep track of and find important information. As a kitchen helper, you may be responsible for keeping track of ingredients or supplies in your workplace’s pantry. Having strong organizational skills can help you stay on top of your duties and ensure that you always have what you need when preparing food. You may also use organization skills when cleaning dishes by stacking them in order so they can dry properly.

Food Preparation

Food preparation is the process of preparing food for consumption. This can include cooking, seasoning and garnishing dishes to make them more appealing or nutritious. It’s important that kitchen helpers know how to prepare food because it allows them to contribute to the overall success of a restaurant.

Kitchen helpers should also be able to read recipes so they can understand what ingredients are needed and how long each dish needs to cook.

Cleaning

Cleaning is an important skill for kitchen helpers because it ensures that the kitchen remains sanitary and safe. Kitchen helpers should be able to clean dishes, countertops and other surfaces in a way that prevents bacteria from growing. They also need to know how to properly dispose of food scraps so they don’t attract pests or cause any health issues.

Inventory Management

A kitchen helper’s duties often include inventory management. This means that they need to be able to keep track of the ingredients and supplies in a kitchen, including how much is left of each item. They also need to know where all of these items are stored so they can find them when needed.

Kitchen helpers also use inventory management skills when preparing food. For example, if they’re making a large batch of soup, they might need to measure out the right amount of each ingredient or write down what they used so they can make more later.

How Can I Learn These Kitchen Helper Skills?

There are a few ways that you can learn the necessary skills to be a successful kitchen helper. One way is to take a cooking or baking class at a local community college or cooking school. This will give you the opportunity to learn about different cooking techniques, food safety and sanitation, and how to measure and prepare ingredients. Another way to learn these skills is to get a job as a dishwasher or prep cook in a restaurant. This will give you the chance to see how a professional kitchen runs and to learn the basics of food preparation and cooking. You can also learn a lot by simply watching cooking shows or reading cooking magazines and books.