Dishwasher

What is a Dishwasher?

A Dishwasher works in the kitchen of a restaurant (in a private establishment, hotel, lodge, resort, cruise ship, hotel, school, etc). 

Their work is very important because they need to keep a steady flow of clean dishes, pots and pans etc ready for the chef and the cooking team.

Dishwashers usually operate automatic industrial dishwashing machines to help them do their work.  This job can be very stressful as the dirty dishes pile up quicker than the dishwashing machine can clean them.

What does a Dishwasher do?

• collect and stack dirty dishes on the racks
• feed the dishwashing machine with the racks
• scrub pans when needed
• put clean dishes etc away in the right place
• always being careful not to break any items
• clean counters and sinks
• sweep and mop the floors
• take out the garbage and clean garbage bins
• obey health and safety regulations
• help in the kitchen if the dishwashing area is not busy – chop and peel food
• unload delivery trucks

Are you … ?

• wanting to work in a restaurant?
• willing to work long and unusual hours:  nights and weekends?
• careful?
• a multi-tasker – can you do lots of things at the same time?
• willing to work hard?
• good with your hands?
• eager to learn?
• organised?
• a team-player?

How do I become a Dishwasher?

No formal training is necessary to become a Dishwasher. 

You will be trained on-the-job. However, if things are quiet in the dishwashing area, the Dishwasher may often help the head chef and the team in the kitchen prepare food, like peeling vegetables, or preparing salads, etc.

The more skills you learn while working with the Chef, the better.  You may even work yourself from Dishwasher up to Line Chef, then Sous Chef and all the way to Head Chef. 

It’s up to you:  Hard work and enthusiasm will eventually get you there.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Corporate Cleaner or Window Cleaner

 Is becoming a Dishwasher the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.