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Kitchen Assistant Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

A Hooters Kitchen employee is an integral part of the day-to-day operations at every Hooters restaurant. The Hooters Kitchen employee is responsible for consistently executing all Hooters kitchen ...

Part-Time Kitchen Staff

Georgetown, KY · On-site

$12.75 - $15.50/hr

Kitchen Employee responsibilities includes food prep and cooking, maintaining a fully-stocked kitchen/deli, complying with safety and cleanliness standards. To be successful in this role, you should ...

A Hooters Kitchen employee is an integral part of the day-to-day operations at every Hooters restaurant. The Hooters Kitchen employee is responsible for consistently executing all Hooters kitchen ...

Part-Time Kitchen Staff

Georgetown, KY

$12.75 - $15.50/hr

Kitchen Employee responsibilities includes food prep and cooking, maintaining a fully-stocked kitchen/deli, complying with safety and cleanliness standards. To be successful in this role, you should ...

Part-Time Kitchen Staff

Nicholasville, KY · On-site

$12.50 - $15.25/hr

Kitchen Employee responsibilities includes food prep and cooking, maintaining a fully-stocked kitchen/deli, complying with safety and cleanliness standards. To be successful in this role, you should ...

Part-Time Kitchen Staff

Georgetown, KY

$12.75 - $15.50/hr

Kitchen Employee responsibilities includes food prep and cooking, maintaining a fully-stocked kitchen/deli, complying with safety and cleanliness standards. To be successful in this role, you should ...

A Hooters Kitchen employee is an integral part of the day-to-day operations at every Hooters restaurant. The Hooters Kitchen employee is responsible for consistently executing all Hooters kitchen ...

Part-Time Kitchen Staff

Georgetown, KY · On-site

$12.75 - $15.50/hr

Kitchen Employee responsibilities includes food prep and cooking, maintaining a fully-stocked kitchen/deli, complying with safety and cleanliness standards. To be successful in this role, you should ...

Part-Time Kitchen Staff

Nicholasville, KY

$12.50 - $15.25/hr

Kitchen Employee responsibilities includes food prep and cooking, maintaining a fully-stocked kitchen/deli, complying with safety and cleanliness standards. To be successful in this role, you should ...

Part-Time Kitchen Staff

Frankfort, KY · On-site

$12.25 - $15/hr

Kitchen Employee responsibilities includes food prep and cooking, maintaining a fully-stocked kitchen/deli, complying with safety and cleanliness standards. To be successful in this role, you should ...

Part-Time Kitchen Staff

Georgetown, KY

$12.75 - $15.50/hr

Kitchen Employee responsibilities includes food prep and cooking, maintaining a fully-stocked kitchen/deli, complying with safety and cleanliness standards. To be successful in this role, you should ...

Part-Time Kitchen Staff

Frankfort, KY · On-site

$12.25 - $15/hr

Kitchen Employee responsibilities includes food prep and cooking, maintaining a fully-stocked kitchen/deli, complying with safety and cleanliness standards. To be successful in this role, you should ...

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Kitchen Assistant information

See Kentucky salary details

$7

$13

$17

How much do kitchen assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for kitchen assistant in Kentucky is $13.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.68 and $14.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can you be a Kitchen Assistant with no experience?

Yes, many entry-level Kitchen Assistant positions do not require prior experience. Employers often provide on-the-job training and look for basic skills such as reliability, teamwork, and a willingness to learn. Having a positive attitude and good hygiene can also improve your chances of getting hired without experience.

What are some common challenges faced by Kitchen Assistants, and how can they be managed effectively?

Kitchen Assistants often encounter challenges such as working in fast-paced environments, maintaining cleanliness under time pressure, and managing multiple tasks simultaneously. Staying organized, communicating clearly with chefs and team members, and following food safety protocols can help manage these demands effectively. Building strong teamwork skills and being proactive about restocking supplies are also key to thriving in this role.

What are kitchen assistants?

Kitchen assistants are support staff who help chefs and cooks in the preparation and organization of food in restaurants, cafeterias, or other food service establishments. Their duties often include washing and chopping ingredients, cleaning work areas and utensils, unloading deliveries, and ensuring that the kitchen operates efficiently. They play a crucial role in maintaining hygiene standards and ensuring that meals are prepared in a timely manner. Kitchen assistants typically work under the supervision of more experienced kitchen staff and may have opportunities to learn basic cooking skills. The role can be fast-paced and requires good teamwork and attention to detail.

What is the difference between Kitchen Assistant vs Kitchen Porter?

AspectKitchen AssistantKitchen Porter
ResponsibilitiesAssisting with food prep, cleaning, and basic kitchen tasksCleaning dishes, utensils, and kitchen areas; basic support tasks
Required SkillsBasic cooking knowledge, teamwork, organizationCleaning skills, physical stamina, attention to hygiene
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, cateringSame as Kitchen Assistant, often in similar settings
CertificationsFood hygiene certificates often preferredFood hygiene certificates often required

Both roles support kitchen operations but differ mainly in responsibilities. Kitchen Assistants typically handle food prep and basic tasks, while Kitchen Porters focus on cleaning and maintaining hygiene. Both roles are essential in commercial kitchens and often require similar certifications.

What Does a Kitchen Assistant Do?

Kitchen assistants perform a number of cooking-related duties, including preparing food, retrieving ingredients from the freezer or other storage locations, and restocking food items. As a kitchen assistant, you may also perform hygiene-related tasks to keep the kitchen clean, such as wiping down equipment or cleaning counters after food preparation. There are usually no educational requirements for the career, but employers prefer that you have relevant work experience in a restaurant setting. Additional qualifications include the ability to follow oral instructions and health and safety procedures, as well as hand dexterity and cooking skills to peel and cut ingredients.

What qualifications do you need to be a Kitchen Assistant?

Kitchen assistants typically do not require formal qualifications but should have basic literacy and numeracy skills. Relevant experience in food handling, cleanliness, and safety procedures is beneficial, and some employers may prefer food safety certifications such as a Level 1 Food Hygiene certificate.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Kitchen Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Kitchen Assistant, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, dishwashing machines, and sometimes food hygiene certifications are typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure are important soft skills. These competencies ensure a safe, organized, and productive kitchen environment, supporting overall food quality and service.

What do you do as a Kitchen Assistant?

A Kitchen Assistant helps with food preparation, cleaning, and maintaining the cleanliness of kitchen equipment and work areas. They may also assist with serving food, organizing supplies, and following safety and hygiene standards. The role often requires good communication skills and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

How to work as a Kitchen Assistant?

To work as a Kitchen Assistant, you should be able to follow safety and hygiene standards, assist with food preparation and cleaning, and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment. Basic skills such as organization, attention to detail, and the ability to operate kitchen equipment are important. Some positions may require food safety certifications or prior experience in a kitchen setting.
What are the most commonly searched types of Kitchen jobs in Kentucky? The most popular types of Kitchen jobs in Kentucky are:
What are popular job titles related to Kitchen Assistant jobs in Kentucky? For Kitchen Assistant jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Kitchen Assistant jobs in Kentucky look for? The top searched job categories for Kitchen Assistant jobs in Kentucky are:
What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Kitchen Assistant jobs? Cities in Kentucky with the most Kitchen Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Kitchen Assistant job openings in Kentucky as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $27,834 per year, or $13.4 per hour.
Kitchen Assistant

$14/hr

Part-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

SHIFT: *Mon - Fri 7am-12:30pm (shifts may vary based upon need) 


POSITION SUMMARY: 
As the nation’s leading nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y offers more than just a job.  We offer you a career with a future and the chance to make a lasting difference in your community.  The Cook Assistant prepares daily meals and snacks for children in our program as needed.  

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Uphold the mission of the YMCA, and demonstrate behaviors that reflect a determined, nurturing, genuine, hopeful, and welcoming nature.
  • Prepare lunch and snacks for children/youth in our program.
  • Prepare/cater meals for special events
  • Complete daily temperature recordings of food service equipment and storage area.
  • Stocking food items and maintaining storage areas in an orderly and clean manner which meets the Health Department, Department of Education and supervisor standards.
  • Maintain the cleanliness, sanitation, and operation of all equipment, furnishing, dishes, and utensils in the kitchen, dining room and storage areas.  Ensure all food service utensils, equipment and chemicals that could be of harm to others are secured in locked areas, i.e. knifes, aerosol/liquid cleaning chemicals, liquid fire.
  • Maintain a tidy, uncluttered, safe and neat kitchen, and storage areas.
  • Obtain and maintain Board of Health Food Service Certification.
  • Prompt and consistent service of meals and snacks on a daily basis.
  • Ability to be flexible to schedule as departmental special events arise.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Strong Commitment to YMCA Philosophy & Mission
  • High School diploma
  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • Staff must possess a valid driver’s license, have reliable transportation, and be insurable by the YMCA of Greater Louisville.
  • Exemplary human relation and motivational skills are needed.
  • Must be self motivated.
  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills
  • Ability to multi-task while completing high quality, accurate work in a timely manner
  • Ability to deal with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities
  • Missions fulfilled: “Christian principles are put into practice through our programs, which build strong spirits, minds, and bodies for all” (YMCA)  “we accept, affirm and advocate for families-in-crisis through programs which empower youth to reach their full potential in spirit, mind and body.” 
  • Community awareness of the agency and its services is
  • Cooperation between staff, and vendors
  • A positive, can-do attitude and the ability to work independently or as part of a team
  • Experience in food service background

The YMCA of Greater Louisville is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identification, sexual orientation, age, or disability status.