Ranging from porters to chefs, kitchen staff roles can vary, but will generally cover areas such as food preparation, cleaning or management. While pubs, restaurants and hotels tend to be the main employers, jobs are also common in schools and hospitals.
Candidates can expect long hours in a hot and fast-paced environment, with shift, evening and weekend work being the norm. Depending on the position, flexible work may be available, meaning part-time and temporary opportunities can be found.
Catering and hospitality recruitment agencies are typically used by employers looking to fill kitchen vacancies, but many multi-sector firms will also be able to supply suitable personnel. As demand for staff will typically rise and fall throughout the year, recruiters who are experienced at working on seasonal requirements, such as summer work and Christmas temping, could also be of help.