Kitchen assistant: tasks and pay
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As a kitchen assistant you prepare dishes according to the instructions and help with the preparatory work in the kitchen. You store goods correctly, get the utensils ready, do the mise en place and cook simple dishes while keeping an eye on quality. You package food, keep your workstation clean and maintain the machines and equipment you use. The role is also known as kitchen help, kitchen porter or catering assistant. You work in hospitality, tourism and large kitchens across Vlaanderen, always following the rules for hygiene and food safety.
Typical tasks
- Work in line with food safety and hygiene rules
- Store goods correctly and at the right temperature
- Get kitchen utensils ready for service
- Carry out the mise en place
- Prepare simple dishes and package food
- Maintain the machines and equipment
- Keep your workstation clean and tidy
Required skills
- Strict hygiene and food safety awareness
- Willing to work at pace during service
- Physically fit for standing and lifting
- Team player who follows instructions
- Flexible with evening and weekend shifts
- Basic knife and prep techniques
What does a kitchen assistant earn?
Indicative Belgian pay range: €15 to €20 gross per hour. Evening, weekend and holiday shifts often come with extra premiums on top of the base wage. Employee pay estimate; actual pay depends on experience, sector pay scales and working hours. Premiums, overtime and benefits are separate.
How to apply via Werkvolk?
- Download the appInstall the free Werkvolk app for iOS or Android.
- Set your preferencesAdd your experience and where you want to work. Then explore jobs in the app.
- Chat with employersOn a match you talk directly to the employer, no middleman.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about applying via Werkvolk.
What does a kitchen assistant do?
A kitchen assistant prepares dishes according to instructions and helps with the preparatory work. You store goods, get the utensils ready, do the mise en place and cook simple dishes. You also package food, maintain the equipment and keep your workstation clean, always following the rules for hygiene and food safety.
How much does a kitchen assistant earn in Belgium?
Indicative Belgian pay range: €15 to €20 gross per hour. Evening, weekend and holiday shifts often come with extra premiums on top of the base wage. Employee pay estimate; actual pay depends on experience, sector pay scales and working hours. Premiums, overtime and benefits are separate.
What is the difference between a kitchen assistant and a dishwasher-kitchen assistant?
A dishwasher-kitchen assistant focuses mainly on washing up and keeping the kitchen clean, with some prep work on the side. A kitchen assistant does more preparatory cooking, mise en place and simple dishes alongside the cleaning tasks. In smaller kitchens the same person often combines both roles.
Is there strong demand for kitchen assistants across Flanders?
Yes, hospitality and large kitchens across Flanders regularly look for kitchen assistants. Restaurants, care homes, canteens and catering companies need reliable people who work cleanly and at pace. If you are flexible with shifts and keen to learn, you find work quickly.
Which qualifications or certificates do you need as a kitchen assistant?
There is no strict diploma requirement, and many kitchen assistants learn the trade on the job. A basic knowledge of hygiene and food safety rules is expected, and some employers ask for a medical fitness certificate for food handling. A cooking or hospitality course is a plus but not mandatory.
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