what does a dishwasher do?
As a dishwasher, you are an essential part of any food service establishment. In fact, this role is an ideal entry point into the sector. Your primary responsibility is to ensure the cleanliness and upkeep of the entire kitchen. However, your work goes beyond washing up and sweeping. Your colleagues will expect you to assist them across a range of supporting tasks.
what is your mission as a dishwasher?
Washing dishes is the dishwasher’s primary mission. Plates, pans and pots will pass through your sink in quick succession. Once everything is cleaned and put away, your day is not over. All the tasks involved in maintaining a restaurant await you, both in the kitchen and on the floor. Even if cooking is not your domain, the chefs around you may ask for help with simple culinary preparations.
If you bring strong work capacity and can manage stress in all circumstances, this role could be a good fit. Discover which skills and qualifications you need to become a dishwasher.
explore our vacanciesaverage salary for a dishwasher.
The average salary for a dishwasher generally corresponds to the unqualified social minimum, that is around €2,700 gross per month for a 40 hour working week. However, due to labour shortages in hospitality, it is sometimes possible to negotiate a higher salary. Night work between 01:00 and 06:00 attracts a 25 percent pay premium.
Depending on your employer, your pay may include a variable component. For example, your company may grant an annual bonus linked to results.
which factors determine salary in a dishwasher role?
A salary increase depends primarily on your qualifications or prior experience in hospitality. Even at the beginning of your career, your salary can rise significantly through overtime or night work.
types of dishwasher roles.
There are different types of dishwasher roles, such as:
- seasonal dishwasher, working only part of the year in settings with strong activity peaks, for example venues with high summer or winter footfall, hotel restaurants, cruise ships
- dishwashing supervisor, coordinating the missions of a team of dishwashers
- dishwasher and kitchen assistant, combining dishwashing with culinary support
- pot washer, handling heavy duty tasks such as cleaning pots and pans and large service ware
- the types of dishwasher roles mentioned here are examples, this list is not exhaustive.
working as a dishwasher.
Your status as a dishwasher is that of an employee reporting to a brigade or kitchen head. You are nevertheless a full member of the brigade, just like the chefs, and you carry out many tasks alongside them. Learn more about the dishwasher’s day to day work, working time arrangements and career prospects.
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tasks and responsibilities
From the start of service to closing time, you help keep the kitchen in order. Your responsibilities as a dishwasher include a variety of tasks, such as:
- washing kitchen equipment, cooking and preparation utensils, and tableware, plates, cutlery, glassware
- drying and putting away dishes
- maintaining all kitchen equipment and appliances, ovens, refrigerators, hobs
- cleaning and disinfecting premises, floors, work surfaces
- ensuring the cleanliness of areas used by staff and guests
- maintaining impeccable hygiene at your workstation, for the benefit of the establishment and diners
- washing, drying and ironing table and kitchen linen, aprons, tablecloths, napkins
- emptying bins and sorting waste beforehand
- relieving chefs of various food preparations, peeling and cutting vegetables, assembling starters, preparing seafood, and so on
- receiving and storing deliveries
- organising storerooms and cold rooms
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working environment
The back of house kitchen is your main workplace. You will move between the laundry area and the sinks, while keeping an eye on the stoves. Cleaning duties also take you into the dining room and even the guest washrooms. Your work environment changes little whether you are employed in a school canteen, a Michelin starred restaurant or a neighbourhood bistro.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer, your colleagues may include commis chefs, waiting staff and sous chefs supporting the head chef. You may also work with chefs de partie and other specialists, such as pastry chefs or pizzaioli.
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work organisation
In both commercial and collective catering, weekend work and late nights are frequent. Working hours are also often split shifts, except where continuous service applies.
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career prospects
A dishwasher may start at entry level. However, the role helps you build resilience and is therefore an excellent springboard for career progression in hospitality. In larger establishments, you can manage a team as a dishwashing supervisor. With experience, becoming a commis chef is within reach. From there, attractive roles such as chef, and even head chef, are possible. Certain roles, such as chef de partie, also open the way to specialisation.
getting a dishwasher role with randstad.
When you search for your dishwasher role with Randstad, you benefit from attractive advantages, such as:
- a wide variety of companies to work in and development opportunities
- an experienced point of contact to support you when needed
- a broad range of opportunities in your sector
- weekly or monthly pay depending on the assignment
- permanent contracts, CDI, fixed term contracts, CDD, and temporary assignments
Would you like to be hired on a CDI, permanent contract? In many cases, working in a temporary assignment as a dishwasher is a first step and acts as a springboard to obtaining a permanent contract. Many companies also recruit employees on a CDI via Randstad.
training and skills.
To become a dishwasher in Luxembourg, it is essential to develop cleaning and organisational skills within a hospitality environment. The role of a dishwasher is to wash dishes, utensils and equipment used in the kitchen of a restaurant or food service establishment. The following are the skills and abilities required to become a dishwasher in Luxembourg:
- Kitchen work experience, although formal training is not required, experience in a kitchen or hospitality setting is an advantage. It provides prior knowledge of kitchen specific cleaning practices.
- Cleaning and organisational skills, a dishwasher must carry out cleaning tasks efficiently and with attention to detail. This includes manual dishwashing, cleaning kitchen utensils and equipment, and organising the washing area for maximum efficiency.
- Speed and efficiency, in hospitality, dishwashing must be performed quickly to ensure the kitchen always has enough clean items to operate without interruption.
- Adaptability and the ability to work under pressure, the role can be demanding and often requires working under pressure, especially during peak hours. A dishwasher must adapt to changing needs and manage tasks efficiently.
- Compliance with hygiene and safety standards, a dishwasher must follow the hygiene and safety standards established by the establishment. This includes proper cleaning and disinfection of dishes, utensils and the washing environment.
know how and competencies.
The skills required to be an effective dishwasher are:
- stamina to cope with pressure and physical fatigue
- ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
- manual skills in cleaning and other kitchen housekeeping tasks
- rigour and a strong sense of discipline
- ability to follow instructions and orders methodically, and to anticipate needs where possible
- composure and stress management in a demanding environment, high noise levels, fast pace, sometimes high temperatures, prolonged standing
- responsiveness and speed of execution
- strong interpersonal skills to communicate smoothly with fellow dishwashers and chef colleagues
- strong team spirit
FAQs.
FAQs about the dishwasher profession.
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who hires dishwashers?
Dishwasher roles are available across all structures that include catering services. Private restaurants are the leading employers, fast food outlets, franchised restaurants, brasseries, Michelin starred venues, motorway service restaurants. Collective catering also hires dishwashers in both the public and private sectors, hospitals, school and holiday camp canteens, staff restaurants.
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is it easy to find a dishwasher job?
As the role requires little formal qualification, entry into employment is generally straightforward with or without a diploma. Job offers are plentiful, full time, part time and seasonal. As a dishwasher, you can even move abroad without difficulty.
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what are the advantages of a dishwasher role?
Becoming a dishwasher is an ideal launchpad to gain experience in hospitality. With several years of experience, your opportunities for progression are numerous. Determination and energy are often stronger assets than many diplomas.
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what are the drawbacks of a dishwasher role?
Although progression can be rapid, the starting salary tends to be modest. Working conditions within a brigade can be demanding, with long hours and a fast pace. Frequent evening and weekend work can also affect private life. However, the prospects for advancement are a strong motivation to overcome the initial drawbacks of the role.
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how many hours does a dishwasher work?
A dishwasher’s weekly working time is 40 hours.
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how do you apply for a dishwasher role?
Applying is straightforward, create a Randstad account and browse the vacancies in your sector, then send us your CV and cover letter.
