Kitchen Assistant Programme

Our Kitchen Assistant programme is run in association with Edinburgh College (Granton) and offers the opportunity to develop practical kitchen skills in a supportive environment with us in Granton, alongside taking an accredited course ‘Introduction to Cookery and Hospitality Skills’ at the Edinburgh College Granton Campus. The closing date for the next course is in January 2024.

 

The course at Edinburgh College involves a time commitment of 2-3 days (a maximum of 16 hours) per week for 6 months.

 

Alongside this, we ask for a commitment of approximately 1-2 shifts (four hours each) per week at Empty Kitchens Full Hearts, but there is flexibility about the days of the week on which these hours take place. There are shifts available Monday to Friday, and on Sundays.

 

About the Role:

 

As a volunteer Kitchen Assistant, the role involves preparing meals on a large scale and we make soups and mains for our service users.  Our kitchen is a busy place, with a fabulous team who do remarkable work creating meals based on whatever food has been recently donated, so our menu can be hugely varied and requires creative and resourceful cooking. The role includes:

 

• Completing food preparation tasks to support the chefs to cater for the large number  of people that EKFH supports. This might include preparing vegetables, cooking  pasta etc

• Practising good hygiene and cleanliness when completing kitchen tasks

• Assisting in the unloading of deliveries and organisation of the stock and produce  area

• Assist in kitchen cleaning tasks

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This role would be best suited for some who is:

• Keen to learn new skills and develop kitchen experience in catering for large  numbers

• Enthusiastic and ready to attempt any task in the kitchen

• Comfortable working as part of a friendly, dynamic team 

• Able to work efficiently and follow chefs’ directions

• Willing to work in a physically demanding environment