What experience requirements should I specify in a Kitchen Porter job ad?

Most kitchen porter roles do not require previous experience, and your ad should state this clearly if it applies to your position. The KP role is one of the most accessible entry points in hospitality — the core skills of running a dishwasher, hand-washing pots, and maintaining kitchen cleanliness can be learned during a single trial shift. What genuinely matters is whether the candidate is physically capable of the work and whether they will show up reliably. The blog post for kitchen porter job ads emphasises that employers should care about reliability and work ethic rather than experience, and that being clear about this opens the door to candidates who might otherwise not apply. Keep your requirements list short, honest, and focused on what actually determines success in the role rather than padding it with qualifications that sound professional but are unnecessary.

Common misunderstanding: Requiring previous kitchen porter experience ensures you get better candidates.

Previous KP experience does not predict success in your kitchen. A candidate with two years of experience in a poorly run kitchen may have developed bad habits and low standards, while someone with no experience but strong reliability and work ethic can be trained to your standards within days. Experience requirements primarily shrink your candidate pool without improving quality.

Common misunderstanding: Listing a food safety certificate as a requirement demonstrates that you take hygiene seriously.

If your kitchen provides food safety training — and most should — then requiring candidates to already hold a certificate before applying creates an unnecessary barrier. State that training will be provided and you signal both accessibility and professional standards. Candidates who are willing to learn are more valuable than those who hold an outdated certificate from a previous role.

How should I present essential qualifications in a Kitchen Porter job ad?

Present essentials as a short, practical list that genuinely reflects what someone needs to start the role. Right to work in the UK is a legal necessity. Physical ability to stand for six to eight hours, lift heavy pots and trays, and work in warm, wet conditions is an honest requirement of the job. Availability for the shift pattern you need — particularly weekends in most hospitality settings — is a practical deal-breaker worth stating upfront. Beyond these basics, most KP roles have no essential qualifications. If basic English is needed for safety communication, state that clearly. But do not pad the essentials list with items like "Level 2 Food Hygiene," "previous hospitality experience," or "knowledge of COSHH regulations" if you are willing to train these on site. Every unnecessary requirement reduces your candidate pool.

Common misunderstanding: A longer requirements list makes the role appear more professional and attracts more serious candidates.

A long requirements list for a kitchen porter role signals either that the employer does not understand the position or that they are trying to make a straightforward role sound more complex than it is. KP candidates who see a list of seven or eight requirements for a wash-up role often assume the employer is unreasonable and move on to a simpler, more honest ad.

Common misunderstanding: Physical capability requirements are discriminatory and should be softened or omitted.

Being honest about the physical demands of a kitchen porter role is not discriminatory — it helps candidates make informed decisions about whether the job suits them. Stating clearly that the role involves standing for long periods and lifting heavy items is practical transparency that protects both the candidate and the employer from a poor fit.

What skills should I list as must-haves in a Kitchen Porter job ad?

List the skills that genuinely determine whether a kitchen porter succeeds or fails in the role. Reliability — showing up for every shift, on time, consistently — is the single most important predictor of KP success. Physical stamina to sustain hard work across a full shift comes second. The ability to work at a steady pace without needing constant direction matters because the KP role involves long periods of independent, repetitive work. Basic communication skills for safety and coordination with the kitchen team are a practical necessity. These four skills are honest must-haves that help candidates self-assess. Avoid listing generic skills like "attention to detail," "passion for hospitality," or "excellent teamwork" that could apply to any role and do not help a KP candidate determine whether they are right for your specific position.

Common misunderstanding: Listing "passion for the hospitality industry" is an important requirement for kitchen porter roles.

Kitchen porters are rarely motivated by passion for hospitality. They are motivated by fair pay, reliable hours, decent working conditions, and respectful treatment. Requiring "passion" for a physically demanding cleaning role sounds disconnected from the reality of what the job involves and can make your ad feel out of touch with the people you are trying to attract.

Common misunderstanding: Requiring "excellent communication skills" ensures the kitchen porter can work effectively with the brigade.

Most KP communication involves understanding instructions, flagging safety issues, and coordinating with the team about what needs washing urgently. This requires basic, functional communication rather than "excellent" skills. Inflated language around communication can deter candidates who are perfectly capable of the role but whose first language is not English, unnecessarily narrowing your pool.