Salaries and costs
Pay in Aberdeen reflects busy hotels, corporate catering, universities, healthcare, and offshore support, so agencies quote by skill and shift pattern with clear charge rates and fees. Kitchen porters often secure £11 to £12.50 per hour via temp agencies in city centre sites and business parks. Commis and line cooks sit near £12 to £13.50 per hour, with Chef de Partie shifts moving between £14 and £16 per hour, where nights or events lift rates. Sous chefs can reach £15 to £18 per hour on temporary work, with permanent salaries from £32,000 to £40,000, where rota stability and menu responsibility are part of the brief. Head chefs in premium hotels or high-volume sites can command £40,000 to £55,000, with extras for cost control and rota leadership. Front-of-house temps, such as waiters and bartenders, often bill at £11.50-£13 per hour, with supervisors above this range. Recruitment fees for permanent hires often sit near 12 per cent to 20 per cent of basic salary, with temp margins built into the hourly charge and agency costs shown on timesheets.
Weekend surcharges and late-finish premiums are common for events at P and J Live and at larger hotels. Always agree on booking terms up front so hiring managers can control recruitment fees and retention plans with no surprises.
Qualifications
Most catering employers require Level 2 Food Hygiene for back-of-house and food service, with allergen awareness training for anyone handling food. Supervisors and chefs with HACCP knowledge move through screening more quickly. DBS checks are required for school, university, and healthcare jobs, and right-to-work checks apply to every booking.
A clean driving licence can help with remote venues or split shifts. Agencies will ask candidates to bring knives for chef roles and suitable footwear for kitchen or bar shifts.
Local hiring challenges
Large events and conference blocks can create pinch points, so recruiters preload candidate pools for weekend peaks and graduation weeks. Hotel refurbishments, cruise calls, and offshore crew changes change demand at short notice. Late-night transport can be thin once outside Union Street and the city centre, so early finishes or taxi support can help retention. Student availability swings with term time for the University of Aberdeen and RGU, so planners should map rotas around exam weeks.
Common job roles agencies recruit for
Agencies cover kitchen porters, commis chefs, Chef de Partie, sous chefs, head chefs, and pastry chefs, where required. Front-of-house bookings include bar staff, waiters, supervisors, event managers, and banqueting teams. Contract catering brings breakfast cooks, deli bar assistants, and catering assistants for offices, depots, and business parks. School and healthcare sites need cooks and catering assistants with DBS checks.
Offshore catering teams require galley hands and stewards with medicals and survival certification booked through specialist recruiters.
Seasonal trends or themes
Graduation, summer cruises, and the Christmas party run push temp bookings from June to July and again from November to December. Rugby and concert dates at P and J Live change bar and stewarding rotas. Tourist peaks raise weekend rates for coastal hotels and Deeside venues. January and late August can be slower, so permanent hiring often lands then to secure talent before the next busy spell.
Regional or geographic variations
City centre sites around Union Street and the Merchant Quarter run heavy weekend shifts. Dyce and Bridge of Don pull in contract catering for business parks and Aberdeen International Airport. Altens and Tullos host large employers with early starts, so agencies prioritise drivers or candidates near reliable commuter links on the A90. Stonehaven, Westhill, and Portlethen sit within the wider labour market and can benefit from split shifts if travel times work.
Regulatory or compliance standards
Right-to-work checks, references, and role briefs are standard for every booking. Food Hygiene Level 2 suits most roles, with HACCP steps used by chefs and supervisors. DBS checks are required for schools and healthcare. Offshore work needs OGUK medicals and BOSIET or FOET, depending on the contract. Recruitment consultants advise on site inductions, PPE, and knife policies so new starters hit the ground running.
Key sectors or employers in the region
Hotels, serviced apartments, and conference venues set a steady baseline of demand throughout the year. Universities, NHS Grampian, and council services place daytime and term-time bookings.
Contract caterers support office parks in Dyce, Bridge of Don, and Altens with breakfast, lunch, and hospitality trays. Event venues and stadiums scale up quickly for concerts and matchdays. Oil and gas create corporate dining and offshore galley roles that need quick mobilisation through experienced recruitment agencies.
Hard-to-fill positions
Pastry chefs, banqueting supervisors, and reliable night porters can be hard to source at short notice. Head chefs for high-volume sites need menu planning, cost control, and team leadership, which narrows the pool.
Offshore stewards with valid certification are in demand before crew change windows. Early morning drivers for contract catering vans move fast when school terms start.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
How fast can an agency supply kitchen porters for a hotel event?
Same-day cover is possible when compliance is in place, and shifts are confirmed with start times and duties.
What are typical recruitment fees for permanent chef hires?
Many recruiters work between 12 per cent and 20 per cent, with rebates tied to start-date milestones.
Do agencies cover both temporary and permanent catering work?
Yes, staffing agencies place temporary, permanent, and contract work, and can switch candidates between these types as availability changes.
What rates apply for late-night bar shifts in Aberdeen city centre?
Rates often range from £12 to £14 per hour for experienced staff, with higher rates for supervisors on peak nights.
Can a candidate register with an agency and choose only day shifts?
Yes, candidates can register with an agency and set preferences for days, locations, and travel distance.
How do local employers manage retention on recurring weekend events?
Stable rotas, prompt pay, and clear finishes help retention, and regulars often hold key roles on the floor or on the pass.
Do recruitment agencies cover food hygiene training?
Many recruiters support Food Hygiene Level 2 routes or can signpost candidates to approved providers so they can update their certificates.
Are agency costs different for venues outside the city?
Transport time, unsocial hours, and short notice can affect charge rates, so confirm terms before you book a roster.