DayShift / Job descriptions / Kitchen crew

Kitchen crew job description: what you'll do and what to write on your resume

Applying for kitchen crew at a restaurant, fast food chain or hotel? Copy the duties below into your resume, then read what the interview asks.

Duties to write on your resume

Start each line with what you did. Keep the ones you've really done.

• Washed, peeled and cut vegetables, meat and fish following kitchen portion guides
• Prepared ingredients and sauces before each shift so the line ran smoothly
• Assisted cooks by fetching ingredients, tools and supplies during busy hours
• Cooked simple dishes and fried items using the grill, fryer and oven
• Packed and labeled food items for dine-in, take-out and delivery orders
• Washed dishes, pots, trays and utensils and kept work stations clean
• Stored food at the right temperature and followed first-in, first-out rotation
• Followed food safety and hygiene rules, including handwashing and clean uniforms

First job? Use the same lines for a school canteen, a family eatery or a home catering job, and say where.

A resume objective you can adapt

Hardworking senior high school graduate looking for a kitchen crew job, ready to work rotating shifts, follow recipes and keep a clean, safe kitchen.

Skills employers ask for

• Following recipes and portion sizes
• Basic knife skills and food prep
• Keeping a clean and organized work area
• Working fast without cutting corners on hygiene
• Taking instructions and working with a team

What the interview asks

1. Why do you want to work in a kitchen? Be honest: you like food, fast-paced work or learning to cook.
2. Can you work weekends, holidays and late shifts? Answer honestly, because kitchens plan the roster around busy days.
3. What would you do if you saw food stored the wrong way? Say you would fix it, tell your cook or supervisor and follow the hygiene rules.
4. How do you stay calm during a rush? Describe doing one task at a time and asking for help early.

The questions every interview asks, with sample answers

How to get hired

1. Most posts ask for at least a senior high school diploma and that you're 18 or older.
2. Prepare a resume, a valid ID and your government numbers such as SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and TIN.
3. Many employers also ask for an NBI clearance and a medical certificate before you start.
4. Apply in person or online. Many kitchens hold walk-in hiring days.
5. Expect a short interview and sometimes a trial shift in the kitchen.

What the work is like

You're on your feet in a hot, busy kitchen, and the lunch and dinner rush is the hardest part. Shifts rotate, so you might open one week and close the next.

Questions

Do I need experience to work as kitchen crew?

No. Many kitchens hire first-timers and train you on the job.

Is kitchen crew work part-time?

Both. Many places hire part-time students and full-time crew.

Do I need to study cooking to become kitchen crew?

No. A diploma is usually enough, though a short cooking course can help you move up.

Similar jobs

• Service crew
• Cook
• Chef
• Utility worker
• Waiter and food server

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