Becoming a Kitchen Assistant The Complete Guide

The Kitchen Assistant plays an essential role in the restaurant industry. They are indispensable within the culinary brigade to ensure the smooth running of a service.

The Kitchen Assistant plays an essential role in the restaurant industry. They are indispensable within the culinary brigade to ensure the smooth running of a service. The position of Kitchen Assistant is often the first one held when starting a career in professional cooking. Working alongside an experienced Chef, the Kitchen Assistant learns to master the fundamental basics of cooking while developing creativity. Discover everything you need to know about this key profession.

What is the role of a Kitchen Assistant at Club Med ?

Within the brigade, the Kitchen Assistant fulfills numerous duties. Under the supervision of the Chef de Partie, Sous-Chef, or Executive Chef, they prepare the ingredients and food to be cooked. They wash, peel, and slice vegetables, reduce sauces, garnish tarts, and may even cook simple dishes. The Kitchen Assistant also ensures the cleanliness and hygiene of the kitchen, with daily tasks such as cleaning utensils and work surfaces, all in compliance with sanitary and safety standards. They are an essential link in the culinary brigade.

What is the difference between a Kitchen Assistant and a Demi-Chef de Partie?

In a professional kitchen, the Kitchen Assistant and the Demi-Chef de Partie have distinct roles. The Kitchen Assistant is generally a beginner, while the Demi-Chef has more experience and responsibilities. The Kitchen Assistant carries out initial preparation tasks, whereas the Demi-Chef supervises Kitchen Assistants and manages part of the culinary production. They may also contribute to creating and adapting recipes under the direction of the Chef de Partie, which is less common for a Kitchen Assistant.

What qualification is needed to become a Kitchen Assistant?

To become a Kitchen Assistant, culinary training is required:

- CAP Cuisine, the most common training in France to learn the essential basics of professional cooking. The required qualification may vary for working abroad in a Club Med resort.
BEP in Restaurant and Hotel Trades, BP Cuisine, or an equivalent diploma.
It is possible to complete this training with additional certifications and internships, which help to become familiar with kitchen operations and acquire practical skills. Continuing education and specializations are essential to progress to positions such as Demi-Chef, Chef de Partie, Sous-Chef, or Executive Chef.

What are the working hours of a Kitchen Assistant at Club Med?

A Kitchen Assistant’s schedule is fixed and set in advance, but it includes evenings, weekends, and public holidays. They work split shifts, with breaks between lunch and dinner services. The work pace in the kitchen is intense, requiring flexibility. At Club Med, rigorous organization and constant energy are necessary to succeed and deliver a memorable culinary experience to G.Ms (Gentle Members).

Key skills to succeed as a Kitchen Assistant

To excel as a Kitchen Assistant, several skills are required: mastering basic culinary techniques, good knowledge of hygiene and food safety regulations, and the ability to work as part of a team. It is also important to follow instructions from superiors, have good organization, rigor, a positive attitude, and the ability to manage stress. These qualities are essential to ensure smooth service in a high-pressure environment.

Career prospects for a Kitchen Assistant at Club Med

Career prospects for a Kitchen Assistant are promising. With a few years of experience, they can move up to positions such as Chef de Partie or Head Chef. Working at Club Med offers the opportunity to train alongside experienced chefs in a high-quality setting. A Kitchen Assistant can also specialize in areas such as pastry or catering. Finally, they may choose to open their own restaurant or work internationally, backed by the enriching experience gained at Club Med.

Discover more

Crazy Sign up!

Don't see what you are looking for? Sign up and we'll notify you when roles become available.

Interested InSelect a job category from the list of options. Select a location from the list of options. Finally, click “Add” to create your job alert.

Job family

Where do you live?

Remove

By submitting your information, you acknowledge that you have read our privacy policy and consent to receive email communication from Club Med.