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Opportunity Overview: Kitchen Porter 2026
The Met Hotel Leeds (managed by RBH Hospitality Management) is looking for a hardworking, reliable, and team-oriented Kitchen Porter to join our back-of-house culinary team in Leeds, United Kingdom.
As a vital member of the kitchen brigade, you will ensure our food preparation, dishwashing, and hygiene standards remain spotless. Working closely with our chefs, you will keep the kitchen organized, manage food waste and stock deliveries, and help maintain a smooth, safe environment during fast-paced service periods.
Role Summary
- Job Title: Kitchen Porter
- Hotel Property: The Met Hotel Leeds
- Management Company: RBH Hospitality Management (Voted Top 30 Best Places to Work in Hospitality)
- Location: Leeds City Centre, United Kingdom
- Employment Type: Full-Time / Part-Time Opportunities
- Shift Pattern: Rotational shifts (includes early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays)
Key Responsibilities
1. Kitchen Cleanliness & Sanitization
- Equipment & Utensil Care: Wash, sanitize, and store all pots, pans, cookery equipment, service dishes, and utensils accurately to support chefs during busy service rushes.
- Workspace Hygiene: Sweep, mop, and clean kitchen floors, food preparation counters, cooking stations, and walk-in chillers to maintain rigorous hygiene standards.
2. Basic Food Prep & Stock Management
- Food Preparation Support: Assist the chef team with basic ingredient prep tasks (e.g., peeling vegetables, washing produce, chopping ingredients, and portioning items).
- Deliveries & Storage: Help receive, unload, and store fresh food and dry goods deliveries according to food safety guidelines (FIFO rotation).
- Storage Area Organization: Keep dry stores, walk-in fridges, and chemical storage areas tidy, stocked, and easily accessible.
3. Waste Management & Safety Compliance
- Waste Disposal: Manage kitchen waste by regularly emptying bins, sorting recycling materials, and maintaining clean waste areas.
- Health & Safety: Follow Food Safety regulations, COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) standards, and workplace safety protocols at all times.
Required Profile & Qualifications
Core Skills & Attributes
- Work Ethic & Reliability: A hardworking, punctual, and dependable team player who takes pride in maintaining a clean kitchen environment.
- Speed & Focus: Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment and stay calm during peak service rushes.
- Teamwork: Strong interpersonal skills with a willingness to jump in and support chefs and front-of-house teams wherever needed.
- Flexibility: Open mindset willing to take on a variety of tasks across back-of-house operations.
Experience
- No Prior Kitchen Experience Required: Full training will be provided on the job! Candidates with prior kitchen porter, cleaning, catering, or domestic support experience are welcome.
About The Hotel & RBH Hospitality Management
The Met Hotel Leeds is an iconic Grade II listed hotel located in central Leeds, known for its historic architecture, premium event spaces, and high-quality dining.
Managed by RBH Hospitality Management—one of the UK’s leading independent hotel management companies operating over 45 properties—we put people first. Recognizing our team’s dedication has earned RBH a spot in the Top 30 Best Places to Work in Hospitality, offering structured training, employee wellness initiatives, and clear career development pathways into commis chef or kitchen leadership roles.
Position Matrix: Kitchen & Culinary Career Pathway
| Capability / Scope | This Role (Kitchen Porter) | Commis Chef | Chef de Partie / Section Lead |
| Primary Focus | Sanitization, basic prep, delivery receiving & waste management | Basic dish preparation, cooking techniques & station prep | Running a specific kitchen section (e.g., Larder, Sauce, Pastry) |
| Experience Level | Entry-Level (No prior experience required) | 1 – 2 Years Kitchen Exposure | 3 – 5 Years Culinary Experience |
| Culinary Scope | Operational & prep support | Learning fundamental cooking methods | Managing station inventory & dish preparation |
| Career Milestone | Gateway role into professional kitchens | Professional Culinary Qualifications | Kitchen Management Trainee |
Pay, Benefits & Perks
- Earned Wage Access (Wagestream): Choose how and when you get paid with access to accrued wages ahead of payday.
- Free Duty Meals: Enjoy free meals while on duty (saving you over £1,000 per year).
- Hotel Discounts: Special discounted hotel room rates across RBH hotels for you, your family, and friends, plus 30% off Food & Beverage.
- Leave Perks: Generous annual leave plus an extra day off for your birthday.
- Family Support: Enhanced maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies.
- Refer-a-Friend Bonus: Earn £250 for every successful candidate referral (up to 5 referrals).
- Career Growth & Courses: Sponsorship for professional development courses and clear career progression into chef or hospitality management roles.
- Wellness & Support: Access to Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP), life insurance, and regular social and wellness events.
Candidate Guide: Applying for Your First Kitchen Role
If you are applying for your first Kitchen Porter job:
- Highlight Work Ethic & Reliability: Emphasize your punctuality, stamina, and ability to perform physical tasks in your application.
- Showcase Teamwork Experience: Mention any past experience (work, school projects, or sports teams) where you worked with others under time constraints.
- Demonstrate Awareness of Hygiene: Mention your commitment to cleanliness, safety, and hygiene standards.
Interview Preparation & Sample Technical Questions
Preparation Checklist
- Learn COSHH Basics: Understand that chemical safety and using correct cleaning products in a kitchen are top priorities.
- Understand Kitchen Pace: Be ready to talk about how you stay organized when many tasks need doing at once.
3 Practical Interview Questions to Expect
Question 1 (Pace & Pressure):
“During a busy Friday evening dinner service, dirty dishes are piling up fast while a chef asks you for chopped ingredients. How do you prioritize your work?”
Recruiter Tip: Explain how you quickly communicate with the chef, prioritize essential kitchen utensils needed for immediate cooking, and keep the washing station moving without panicking.
Question 2 (Hygiene & Health Standards):
“What steps do you take to make sure kitchen equipment and food prep surfaces are properly sanitized?”
Recruiter Tip: Highlight using proper cleaning chemicals at recommended dilutions, following hot water sanitizing procedures, and preventing cross-contamination between raw and cooked food prep areas.
Question 3 (Teamwork & Initiative):
“If you finish your assigned washing and cleaning tasks early during a quiet period, what do you do next?”
Recruiter Tip: Focus on taking initiative—asking the chefs if they need prep help, organizing dry store shelves, checking waste bins, or deep cleaning cooking stations.
Application Process
- Submit Application: Apply online through the RBH Careers Portal or the vacancy link.
- Shortlisting: Applications reviewed based on availability, enthusiasm, and reliability.
- Interview & Kitchen Tour: Brief interview with the Head Chef or Kitchen Manager, followed by a quick walk-through of the back-of-house facilities.
Disclaimer
RBH Hospitality Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive culture. Reasonable adjustments are available upon request during the application process. This job overview serves as an informational recruitment guide and does not form a binding contract of employment.