The upscale boutique hotel West Park Hotel in the center of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is looking for committed and talented kitchen staff to join their culinary team. They must be passionate about food, provide outstanding guest services, and aspire to be a part of a flourishing hospitality industry that is renowned for its dedication to culinary excellence.
Trade association The UK hospitality sector is experiencing a severe manpower crisis, which is 48% worse than it was during the COVID-19 pandemic. With almost 2.9 million employees, the hospitality sector was the fourth largest in the UK in 2015.
Approximately 25% of its workforce is from the EU. But after Brexit, EU workers went back to their home nations, leaving a void in the sector. In the UK, restaurants are still having trouble hiring up to two million people, according to the Robb Report. McDonald’s and Domino’s are even having trouble with restaurant labor shortages, according to Bloomberg.
So, anyone with experience in the hotel industry, even in lower-level kitchen positions like kitchen staff (cook assistants, dishwashers, etc.), can take advantage of this life-altering opportunity as long as they have the necessary credentials, experience, and knowledge, including job eligibility requirements, the appropriate visa for the process, the duties of the job, and where to find genuine kitchen staff jobs in the UK with visa sponsorship so that you can apply in a legitimate manner. The comprehensive information and guide on kitchen staff jobs in the UK is provided below.
Are you ready to turn your passion for food into a life-changing career in the UK? The West Park Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is opening its doors to talented and hardworking kitchen staff. With the UK hospitality industry facing a critical shortage of workers, this is more than just a job—it’s a chance to step into a thriving sector that truly values your skills and dedication.
Whether you dream of working alongside world-class chefs or starting your journey in one of the UK’s most prestigious kitchens, this opportunity offers competitive salaries of £20.4 – £20.6 per hour (approx. £38,700 annually), visa sponsorship, relocation support, and even accommodation.
The requirements are straightforward: a passion for cooking, basic English, and the willingness to learn and grow. In return, you’ll gain not only financial stability but also practical perks like free meals, career progression, and the potential pathway to permanent residency after five years.
Details of Kitchen Staff Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship
Key Points
| Job Country | UK |
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Job Type | Restaurant Assistant/ Restaurant Worker |
| Minimum Experience Required | No |
| Education Required | Basic English |
| Any Age Limit | No |
| Visa | Sponsorship |
| Relocation | Yes |
| Accommodation | Yes |
| Salary Per Hour | £20.4 – £20.6 |
| Work Schedule | 36 hours per week |
Requirements of Kitchen Staff Jobs in UK
- Ineligible Roles: As of recent changes, “kitchen assistants” and “catering assistants” are generally not eligible for the Skilled Worker visa route. The jobs that qualify are typically those at a higher skill level, such as Chef, Head Chef, or Sous-Chef (under occupation code 5434).
- Salary Threshold: The salary threshold for a sponsored visa has increased significantly. For most new applicants, the minimum salary must be at least £38,700 per year or the “going rate” for the specific job, whichever is higher. A rate of £20-£25 per hour, while it seems high for kitchen staff, may not meet the annual salary requirement for a Skilled Worker visa.
- Education and Experience: While a degree in Hotel Management or a diploma is helpful for management roles, it is not a requirement for most kitchen staff positions. However, for a Skilled Worker visa as a chef, you would need to demonstrate a high level of skill and experience.
- Eligible Sectors: This visa is designed for a very limited set of jobs. It is primarily for horticulture work (e.g., fruit picking, vegetable farming) and poultry production (e.g., processing poultry) during specific times of the year.
- Kitchen Staff are Not Included: The Seasonal Worker Visa does not include jobs like “kitchen staff” in restaurants.
- Temporary: This visa is strictly temporary, with a maximum stay of up to six months, and does not provide a path to permanent residency.
Job Duties of Kitchen Staff
Core Kitchen Operations
The smooth operation of the cooking process depends on the kitchen crew. Before cooking starts, they help the cook by preparing the ingredients, which may involve chopping vegetables, portioning meat, or gathering all the supplies. They are also essential to keeping the environment safe and hygienic. This entails correctly disposing of trash, washing dishes, and cleaning equipment and countertops.
Inventory and Stock Management
Making sure the kitchen is always stocked is one of the main responsibilities of the kitchen crew. This entails unloading and setting up fresh food supplies while ensuring that everything is kept in its designated location. They are also in charge of maintaining the stock levels in pantries and storage areas. In order to make sure the kitchen never runs out of necessary supplies, this entails monitoring supply levels and obtaining materials for the chef as needed.
Hygiene and Cleanliness
Upholding a good level of hygiene is crucial. To avoid contamination and spoiling, kitchen employees are in charge of cleaning freezers, refrigerators, and storage spaces. In order to avoid a major mess at the end of a hectic shift, they also emphasize the idea of “clean-as-you-go,” in which they tidy the kitchen while the cook is making dishes.
Waste Reduction and Efficiency
Employees in the kitchen assist the business in cutting waste and saving money. They keep an eye on food waste from patrons’ leftovers to find any untouched or hygienic products that might be recycled or used again. In order to increase productivity, they also assist with food preparation duties, including heating, chilling, or freezing foods like soups and desserts. They may even take over the preparation of simple meals during peak hours to assist the head chef in handling the workload.
Who can Apply for Kitchen Staff Jobs in UK
Applications for Kitchen Staff Jobs in the UK with Visa Sponsorship are open to all Asian, African, and Latin American nations, who often see the UK and other European nations as their future employment destinations.
- Pakistan
- India
- Bangladesh
- Anguilla
- Antigua
- Barbuda
- Barbados
- Mexico
- Jamaica
- Dominicia
- Sudan
- Grenada
- Trinidad
- Tobago
- Lucia
- Vincent
- The Grenadines
- Kitts-Nevis
- Montserrat.
Jobs Benefits of Kitchen Staff in UK
Competitive Salary and Benefits
Many sponsored positions offer a competitive compensation package that satisfies the UK’s minimal requirements for a skilled worker visa, albeit the exact amount may vary. This usually starts at a minimum of £25,600 annually for chefs. Furthermore, these jobs frequently offer a range of incentives and advantages to their employees, such as paid time off, pension plans, and perhaps even employee discounts.
Career and Professional Development
In addition to benefits geared on advancing one’s career, several of these positions offer worthwhile extras like complimentary meals while working, which can assist with living expenses. This is a standard procedure in the hospitality sector and offers workers a clear, immediate advantage.
Visa and Relocation Support
The biggest advantage is the sponsorship of the visa itself, which is a crucial prerequisite for non-UK citizens to be able to work there lawfully. This sponsorship, which can result in a long-term career in the UK, is the employer’s official pledge to assist your visa application. You might even be qualified to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which is a route to permanent residency, after five years of residence in the UK on a skilled worker visa.
Practical Perks
Beyond career-focused benefits, some of these roles include valuable perks like free food during shifts, which can help with daily living expenses. This is a common practice in the hospitality industry and is a direct, tangible benefit for employees.
Eligible Kitchen Roles for Skilled Worker Visa UK
Some UK skilled worker visa kitchen roles that are commonly sponsored include:
- Skilled chefs (e.g., sushi chefs, tandoori chefs, or other ethnic cuisine specialists)
- Sous chefs and head chefs (meeting salary and experience thresholds)
- Some kitchen assistants or kitchen helpers at large-scale hospitality operations
To qualify, roles must:
- Be full-time and permanent
- Meet minimum salary and skill requirements
- Be with a licensed sponsor kitchen job employer in the UK
UK Hospitality Jobs Sponsorship – Where to Look?
Some of the top areas hiring kitchen staff with sponsorship include:
- Hotels and resorts
- Chain restaurants and branded food groups
- Ethnic cuisine restaurants (e.g., Indian, Chinese, Thai, Middle Eastern)
- Central kitchens and large-scale food production businesses
Look for licensed sponsor kitchen jobs UK on platforms like:
- Indeed UK
- Caterer.com
- UK Government’s licensed sponsors list
How to Get Sponsorship for Kitchen Helper Jobs in the UK
Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Find UK hospitality jobs with sponsorship
Look for employers with a Sponsor License offering kitchen staff visa sponsorship UK. - Get a job offer from a licensed sponsor
Your employer must be on the official list of UK licensed sponsors. - Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
This document proves your job offer is valid and allows you to apply for the visa. - Apply for the Skilled Worker visa
Submit your visa application along with your CoS, proof of English proficiency, and financial documents.
Conclusion:
Experienced hospitality workers from Asia, Africa, and Latin America have a great opportunity to work as chefs and kitchen staff in the UK with a sponsored visa. Although entry-level positions like as assistants are typically ineligible, specialist culinary personnel and talented chefs have a good possibility of getting sponsorship. This professional path offers both short-term gains and long-term stability with competitive pay, free lunches, relocation assistance, and the potential for permanent residency after five years. Now is the ideal moment to apply and begin your career in the UK’s booming hospitality industry if you possess the necessary abilities and a strong desire to serve others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are kitchen staff jobs in the UK eligible for visa sponsorship?
Basic kitchen assistant roles are generally not eligible, but skilled roles like chefs, sous chefs, and ethnic cuisine specialists may qualify.
Do I need a degree to apply?
A degree is not required, but significant experience in cooking or hospitality is necessary for sponsored roles.
