head kitchen porter

OMA + AGORA opened last year in the heart of London's thriving Borough Market. Two restaurants in one building, where OMA is inspired by the fishing villages and shores of the Greek isles and further Levant, and AGORA is inspired by the energy of Athens's markets and streets. It is the latest project by dcco.[SMOKESTAK, manteca ].

Both restaurants are driven by a passion for showcasing the best of British produce. We work with the most inspiring, sustainability-driven suppliers throughout every aspect of our operations.

We are proud to be an independent business grounded in a purely hospitality background, and we've had a brilliant first year - being awarded a Michelin star, as well as Opening of the Year 2025 [ Great Britain and Northern Ireland ] for OMA, and a Bib Gourmand for AGORA.

About the role.

We are looking for a head kitchen porter to lead the backbone of our kitchen operation — the porter team.

This role is about much more than washing pots. The head KP will lead a small, tight-knit porter team and play a vital part in maintaining the cleanliness, efficiency, and structure that supports two kitchens and a busy prep and bakery operation. This is a leadership role, with responsibility for organisation, discipline, and hygiene throughout the kitchen and prep areas.

You'll work closely with the head chef, prep kitchen lead and operations team, ensuring the engine of the business runs smoothly — from deliveries and waste management to machinery checks and supporting service prep. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone with experience, reliability and pride in their work to step into a leadership role and help define a standard for excellence.

Responsibilities.

• Lead the porter team day-to-day, ensuring responsibilities are clearly delegated and executed to a high standard.
• Maintain the highest levels of cleanliness across kitchen, prep kitchen, bakery and storage areas, aligned with food safety standards.
• Oversee the dishwashing area, ensuring all equipment is cleaned quickly and correctly.
• Ensure pot wash and cleaning machinery is maintained, safe, and regularly checked.
• Work with the prep lead and sous chefs to ensure smooth transfer of clean equipment across all departments.
• Support the goods-in process: unloading deliveries, checking quality, and moving stock to the right areas quickly and efficiently.
• Organise waste and recycling systems — ensuring timely disposal and clean bins throughout.
• Maintain kitchen cleaning checklists and schedules across the day, including deep cleaning routines.
• Ensure cleaning chemicals are used safely and always stored correctly.
• Take ownership of the kitchen porter rota, supporting recruitment and cover as needed.
• Train new porters in kitchen protocols and hygiene systems.
• Foster a positive team culture in the porter team, leading by example.

Daily schedule.

• Opening the kitchen with due diligence checks (cleaning records, dishwasher tests, waste checks, floor condition etc.)
• Monitor extract cleaning
• Cleaning down prep areas pre- and post-shift, ensuring a clear start for production.
• Supporting morning delivery intake — moving boxes, disposing of packaging, cleaning receiving areas.
• Managing dishwasher area: plates, prep containers, gastro trays, utensils etc.
• Afternoon: maintaining bin rotation, recycling, food waste, and finishing deep cleans.

Requirements.

• Experience working as a kitchen porter or in a similar role in a professional kitchen.
• Familiarity with food safety and kitchen hygiene best practices.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with a strong work ethic.
• Good communicator, team player, and leader by example.
• Organised, proactive and physically fit — this is a hands-on role with lots of movement.
• Experience in a leadership or senior porter role is a strong advantage.

We offer.

• £1,000 every annual employment anniversary
• Monthly bonuses for top performers
• 50% staff discount on meals at each of our restaurants.
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Cost price wine through our suppliers.
• International trips for top performers.
• In-house training dedicated to your personal development.
• Staff trip programme to meet farms, fish markets and vineyards.
• We offer qualifications, including, WSET, health and safety, food training.
• Company donations to charities our staff feel are close to home.
• Whole team staff parties.
• Wholesome staff meals, end of service drinks.