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Kitchen Assistant Jobs in Keystone Heights, FL (NOW HIRING)

Cook

Orange Park, FL

$11.50 - $15.50/hr

Adhere to food safety and sanitation guidelines; maintain a clean and orderly kitchen. * Assist with inventory management and ordering of supplies. * Interact positively with residents, staff, and ...

Cook

Green Cove Springs, FL

$11.50 - $15.50/hr

Adhere to food safety and sanitation guidelines; maintain a clean and orderly kitchen. * Assist with inventory management and ordering of supplies. * Interact positively with residents, staff, and ...

Cook

Jacksonville, FL

$13 - $17.25/hr

Adhere to food safety and sanitation guidelines; maintain a clean and orderly kitchen. * Assist with inventory management and ordering of supplies. * Interact positively with residents, staff, and ...

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Kitchen Assistant information

See Keystone Heights, FL salary details

$8

$14

$18

How much do kitchen assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for kitchen assistant in Keystone Heights, FL is $14.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.31 and $15.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 cities near Keystone Heights, FL are hiring for Kitchen Assistant jobs? Cities near Keystone Heights, FL with the most Kitchen Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Kitchen Assistant job openings in Keystone Heights, FL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 58% Full Time, 38% Part Time, and 4% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $29,325 per year, or $14.1 per hour.
Kitchen Team (P1-1351567-0)

Kitchen Team (P1-1351567-0)

Panda Restaurant Group

Jacksonville, FL • On-site

$13 - $16/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Panda Express rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 717 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 104 rated fast food restaurants


Job description

Join us as a Kitchen Team Associate
We're looking for friendly team players to cook delicious food while maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness for our guests. Thrive in a safe and supportive work environment with team members who become friends. There's always something new to learn, do, and accomplish. If you don't have experience, we'll train you! You'll get opportunities to gain skills that help you rise in your career, no matter where you go. We're all about giving back, so you'll also get the chance to impact your community through our Panda Cares initiative. Let's work together.
Essential Functions for Kitchen Team Associates:
  • Provides exceptional dining experience to Guests - Greeting Guests, Serving food and handling payments at cash register
  • Maintains the cleanliness and appearance of the store
  • Follows Operations Standards and Safety Procedure to serve fresh and quality food
  • Works efficiently in fast paced kitchen environment, and may work at different positions - Front counter, Drive Through or Kitchen
  • Work effectively with team members to meet daily goals in a fun, positive environment.

Qualification:
  • Friendly and helpful team members
  • Operations experience is a plus
  • Some high school
  • Food Handler certification may be required depending on local requirements, acquired at your expense

How we reward you:**
  • Flexible schedules
  • Great pay
  • Free meals while working at Panda
  • Medical, Vision, Dental, Voluntary Short-Term Disability, Cancer Income Protection insurance for full-time associates
  • Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending accounts
  • 401K with company match
  • Vacation, sick leave, bereavement/funeral leave and Leave Share Program for eligible associates
  • Associate discounts for many brands
  • Referral bonus for eligible associates
  • Opportunity to give back to your community
  • Hands-on paid training to prepare you for success
  • On-Going Career & Leadership Development
  • Opportunities for growth into management positions
  • Pre-Tax Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
  • Please refer to https://www.pandacareers.com/files/PRG_HR_Recruiting_Benefits.pdf for details.

**Candidates must meet, and continue to meet if employed, eligibility requirements for each benefit to qualify.
ADA Statement:
While performing duties, counter areas are often hot with steam from steam table and food vapors. Workspace is restricted and employees are generally expected to remain standing for long periods of time. Employees must prepare hot and cold foods, use Chinese cook knife and other kitchen equipment and work quickly without losing accuracy. Employees must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., stand up to four hours and reach across counter tops measured at 36 inches to serve customers. Kitchens are hot and noise levels are usually high; storage space is limited and shelving is high. Employees must be able to work in a fast-paced work environment, have effective verbal communication skills, ability to adapt to a dynamic environment with changing priorities, and the ability to manage conflicts/difficult situations.
Panda Strong since 1983:
Founded in Glendale, California, we are now the largest family-owned American Chinese Restaurant concept in America. With close to 2,800 locations globally, we continue our mission of delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives. Whether it's impacting our team or the communities we work in, we're proud to be an organization that embraces family values.
You're wanted here:
Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity, and does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law, including but not limited to sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related conditions), gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, and veteran status. Additionally, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. complies with all federal, state, and local laws regarding requests for workplace accommodation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability. Applicants are entitled to reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, to effectively participate in the application and hiring process, for example, sign language interpreters. If you believe you require an accommodation for the application or interview process or for the position for which you are applying, please reach out to TASupport@PandaRG.com .

What Panda Express employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About Panda Express

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Panda Express is a leader in the quick-service restaurant industry, specializing in American Chinese cuisine. It was established in 1983 in Glendale, California by Andrew and Peggy Cherng and has grown to become the largest Asian segment restaurant chain in the United States, with in excess of 2,200 locations. Its headquarters are located in Rosemead, California. The eatery offers a variety of menu items, including their signature dish, Orange Chicken, along with other favorites like Kung Pao Chicken and Beef and Broccoli. Guided by their mission to "deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences," Panda Express is beloved by many for its convenience, consistently high quality, and innovative twists on traditional Chinese dishes.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Rosemead, CA, US