How should I describe physical demands in a Restaurant Supervisor job description?

Date modified: 29th September 2025 | This FAQ page has been written by Pilla Founder, Liam Jones, click to email Liam directly, he reads every email.

Commis Chef Job Description Template

This job description template provides a full working exmaple using our six step approach. Open the template in the Pilla app and customise each section to make it specific to your role and business.

We operate a professional restaurant kitchen serving 140 covers daily with emphasis on culinary education, skill development, and traditional cooking techniques. Our commis chef position provides excellent foundation training for aspiring chefs within our supportive kitchen brigade. This entry-level role focuses on fundamental cooking skills development while supporting kitchen operations through food preparation and service assistance. You'll work alongside experienced chefs learning professional techniques, kitchen organization, and culinary standards. The position offers exceptional opportunities for rapid skill development, with structured training programs and potential advancement to chef de partie, line cook, and senior kitchen positions within our culinary team.
• Assist with food preparation including ingredient prep, vegetable preparation, and basic cooking tasks under supervision • Support kitchen operations through mise en place preparation, stock preparation, and service setup • Learn and practice fundamental cooking techniques including knife skills, food handling, and basic cooking methods • Maintain kitchen cleanliness and organization following strict hygiene and sanitation procedures • Assist senior chefs with dish preparation, plating, and food presentation during service periods • Follow HACCP and food safety protocols including proper storage, temperature control, and contamination prevention • Support inventory management through stock rotation, waste monitoring, and storage organization • Learn kitchen equipment operation and maintenance including proper cleaning and basic maintenance tasks • Assist with special event preparation, catering orders, and high-volume service support as needed • Participate in training sessions covering cooking techniques, safety procedures, and professional development • Communicate effectively with kitchen team regarding tasks, timing, and learning opportunities • Support general kitchen duties including equipment cleaning, area maintenance, and operational tasks
Essential Skills: Enthusiasm for learning professional cooking with willingness to develop fundamental culinary skills; basic knife handling abilities with commitment to improving speed and precision; understanding of food safety basics and willingness to learn HACCP procedures; physical fitness for standing long periods and working in hot kitchen environment; ability to follow instructions precisely and accept constructive feedback; good communication skills for learning from experienced chefs; reliable and punctual work habits with strong attention to detail. Preferred Qualifications: Previous kitchen experience in any capacity demonstrating interest in culinary careers; culinary school enrollment or recent graduation; basic understanding of cooking principles and kitchen operations; food safety certification or willingness to obtain required training; additional language skills for diverse kitchen teams; genuine passion for food and cooking demonstrated through personal cooking experience.
This is an excellent entry-level position for people starting their culinary careers or those looking to transition into professional cooking. We welcome applications from culinary school graduates, career changers, and enthusiastic beginners who are serious about learning professional cooking. While previous kitchen experience is helpful, we're more interested in your attitude, work ethic, and genuine desire to learn. We provide structured training covering fundamental cooking techniques, kitchen safety, food preparation, and professional kitchen practices. Career development is rapid for dedicated individuals, with opportunities to advance to line cook, chef de partie, and senior positions based on skill development and performance. We support career growth through mentoring, training programs, and increasing responsibilities.
We're looking for someone with genuine passion for cooking and strong desire to learn professional culinary skills. You should be eager to take on new challenges, open to feedback and coaching, and committed to developing your abilities quickly. The ideal candidate will have positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to start at entry level while working toward career advancement. You should be patient with the learning process, able to handle constructive criticism, and enthusiastic about growing your culinary knowledge. We value curiosity, dedication, and professional attitude, seeking someone who will embrace our training opportunities while contributing positively to our supportive kitchen team environment.
Competitive starting wage of £10.50-£12.50 per hour based on experience level, with regular skills assessments and pay increases as abilities develop and responsibilities increase. Training benefits include: comprehensive culinary education through hands-on learning with experienced chefs; chef whites provided and maintained; nutritious staff meals during all shifts; 22 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays. Professional development opportunities including structured advancement pathway to senior kitchen positions, external culinary training support, and mentorship from experienced chefs. Rapid career progression available for dedicated individuals showing strong learning aptitude and professional commitment.

Describe comprehensive restaurant supervisor physical demands including extended standing and walking throughout shifts with minimal seated breaks, manual handling including lifting and carrying supplies and equipment up to reasonable weight limits, physical stamina for demanding busy service periods with sustained energy requirements, ability to work comfortably in varied temperatures from kitchen heat to refrigeration areas, mobility for multi-level establishments including stair navigation, and capacity for emergency response situations requiring quick physical action.

Common misunderstanding: Restaurant supervisor physical demands are less intensive than front-line service roles due to management responsibilities and administrative duties.

Restaurant supervisor roles require significant physical activity including extended standing, frequent walking, manual handling, and sustained stamina throughout service periods. Supervisory duties often increase physical demands through multi-area oversight and emergency response requirements.

Common misunderstanding: Physical fitness requirements for restaurant supervisors are minimal compared to kitchen or service staff positions.

Effective restaurant supervision requires physical capability including stamina for long shifts, mobility for operational oversight, manual handling for various tasks, and energy for leadership during demanding service periods. Physical demands often exceed those of stationary roles significantly.

What mobility requirements should I include for Restaurant Supervisor job description physical demands?

Include ability to move quickly between service areas during busy periods, stair navigation in multi-level venues including frequent transitions, prolonged standing during service periods without significant breaks, frequent walking and positioning changes throughout operational areas, access to all operational areas including storage, kitchen, and dining spaces, and emergency evacuation assistance capabilities including supporting staff and guests during safety situations.

Common misunderstanding: Restaurant supervisor mobility requirements focus primarily on walking rather than comprehensive movement capabilities including lifting and positioning.

Supervisor mobility encompasses walking, standing, climbing, lifting, carrying, and positioning activities across varied operational environments. Comprehensive mobility often determines supervisory effectiveness and safety response capability in restaurant operations.

Common misunderstanding: Multi-level restaurant mobility requirements are occasional rather than frequent operational necessities for supervisory roles.

Multi-level restaurant supervision requires regular movement between floors for operational oversight, staff coordination, inventory management, and quality assurance. Frequent level changes often comprise essential supervisory responsibilities rather than occasional activities.

How should I address workplace conditions for Restaurant Supervisor job description physical demands?

Address variable temperature environments from kitchen heat to refrigeration areas requiring adaptation and comfort, noise levels during busy service periods that may impact communication, fast-paced working conditions with time pressures and multitasking demands, exposure to cleaning chemicals and equipment requiring safety awareness, crowded workspace navigation during peak periods with spatial awareness needs, and potential slip and trip hazards requiring constant vigilance and appropriate footwear.

Common misunderstanding: Restaurant workplace conditions are standard office environment conditions rather than demanding hospitality-specific environments.

Restaurant environments present unique physical challenges including temperature variations, noise levels, fast pace, chemical exposure, and safety hazards. Workplace conditions often require specific physical adaptation and safety awareness beyond standard office environments.

Common misunderstanding: Physical workplace hazards in restaurant supervision are minimal due to management duties rather than operational involvement.

Restaurant supervisors encounter various physical hazards including wet surfaces, hot equipment, chemical exposure, and crowded areas through operational oversight duties. Active supervision often increases hazard exposure whilst requiring safety leadership and emergency response capabilities.