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Kitchen assistant vs kitchen staff

The differences between kitchen assistants and kitchen staff can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a kitchen staff has an average salary of $29,816, which is higher than the $27,455 average annual salary of a kitchen assistant.

The top three skills for a kitchen assistant include wine, kitchen equipment and POS. The most important skills for a kitchen staff are food handling, cleanliness, and sanitation standards.

Kitchen assistant vs kitchen staff overview

Kitchen AssistantKitchen Staff
Yearly salary$27,455$29,816
Hourly rate$13.20$14.33
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs78,120154,513
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 43%
Average age3737
Years of experience--

What does a kitchen assistant do?

A kitchen assistant is responsible for assisting chefs, cooks, or managers. Most of the duties are given by supervising officers, and it will revolve around preparing ingredients, cutting or washing meat and vegetables, and performing basic cooking tasks such as boiling and frying. A kitchen assistant is also responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen, washing used materials, sanitizing utensils, organizing food inventory. Other tasks include unloading deliveries of food supplies and sorting the ingredients accordingly.

What does a kitchen staff do?

The kitchen staff consists of preparation workers who execute several routine tasks as directed by chefs, food service managers, and cooks. These works should have the ability to follow cooking instructions and deliver well-prepared meals. Their responsibilities include the cleanup of dishes, cooking equipment, and the working stations. They also take charge of food safety regulations, storing and sorting of ingredients, and preparing foodstuff.

Kitchen assistant vs kitchen staff salary

Kitchen assistants and kitchen staff have different pay scales, as shown below.

Kitchen AssistantKitchen Staff
Average salary$27,455$29,816
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $35,000Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNRedwood City, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companyUniversity of Massachusetts BostonThe Road Home
Best paying industryConstructionEducation

Differences between kitchen assistant and kitchen staff education

There are a few differences between a kitchen assistant and a kitchen staff in terms of educational background:

Kitchen AssistantKitchen Staff
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Kitchen assistant vs kitchen staff demographics

Here are the differences between kitchen assistants' and kitchen staff' demographics:

Kitchen AssistantKitchen Staff
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 51.2% Female, 48.8%Male, 56.5% Female, 43.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 8.0% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between kitchen assistant and kitchen staff duties and responsibilities

Kitchen assistant example responsibilities.

  • Assist the catering manager to manage, prepare, cook and deliver each day s caterings.
  • Prepare and store vegetables; maintain cleanliness and organization of kitchen; observe food safety and health regulations
  • Mix water with detergents and acids to prepare cleaning solutions according to specifications, general cleanliness according to safety and company guidelines
  • Operate dishwasher and train volunteers.
  • Maintain the dishwasher and efficiently clean kitchenware.
  • Skil in grilling, roasting, steaming, platting individual and buffet style.
  • Show more

Kitchen staff example responsibilities.

  • Assist the catering manager to manage, prepare, cook and deliver each day s caterings.
  • Present an enjoyable and positive atmosphere while preparing an outstanding product, manage inventory, and maintain cleanliness
  • Conduct daily inspections for overall cleanliness of all areas and proper sanitizing of food preparation surfaces.
  • Increase sales by upselling and signing customers up for discount cards
  • Prep food for dinner dishes, bar back, work on fryers, and wash dishes.
  • Cook, wash dishes, serve customers, prepare food for caterings, and stock shelves.
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Kitchen assistant vs kitchen staff skills

Common kitchen assistant skills
  • Wine, 17%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 15%
  • POS, 15%
  • Culinary, 11%
  • Kitchen Operations, 8%
  • Cooking Equipment, 8%
Common kitchen staff skills
  • Food Handling, 25%
  • Cleanliness, 21%
  • Sanitation Standards, 13%
  • Quality Food, 9%
  • Food Products, 7%
  • Meal Preparation, 5%

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