Kitchen Porter Smoking Lobster Cowes & Ventnor

Job Posted: 5 July 2026

• Contract Term: Permanent
• Location: Cowes, Isle of Wight
• Contract Type: Full or part time
• Salary: Competitive
• Industries: Catering, Hospitality & Bar Chefs Maintenance

Smoking Lobster is a family-run, Pan-Asian fusion restaurant group, with a focus on small plates, bold Eastern Asian-inspired flavours, exciting cocktails, a vibrant dining experience and celebrating local produce from the Isle of Wight.

About Us 

Smoking Lobster is focused on delivering an elevated style of food and hospitality in a professional, laid-back environment. Heavily influenced by a mix of Eastern Asian cuisine, our restaurants offer guests a contemporary dining experience centred around bold flavours, high-quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation and vibrant presentation.

Food is at the heart of what we do. Our menus celebrate fresh produce, seafood, seasonal ingredients and carefully balanced flavours, combining technical preparation with an informal style of hospitality.

Both of our kitchens are open-style, where guests can watch us prepare their food, so presentation & confidence in communicating with guests is important.

The Role

We are seeking dedicted kitchen porters at both our venues to help support the Chef's during service.

This role is suited to anyone with the drive to work hard as part of a team througout the busy season. 

You will be part of a focused kitchen team where preparation, timing, presentation and flavour all come together to create a memorable guest experience.

What We Are Looking For

Smoking Lobster is a year-round business, seeking Kitchen Portes for the upcoming Summer season, with the view to more hours during off-peak months for the successful candidates. For this role, there are multiple vacancies. We are looking for people with:

• A genuine passion for restaurants 
• Strong attention to detail and cleaning standards
• Previous kitchen experience isn't essential but preferred. Full training will be given to the right candidates
• The ability to follow specifications and deliver consistency
• A strong sense of pace, timing and organisation during busy services
• A clean, disciplined and professional approach to kitchen standards
• Good awareness of food safety, hygiene, allergens and correct storage procedures
• Positive energy and a strong team ethic
• Flexibility and availability predominantly for weekends and evenings
• Flexibility in working between two Island venues

What You’ll Be Doing

• Washing up
• Helping the Chef’s to maintain the kitchen standards
• Supporting the delivery of a smooth, well-timed service during busy periods
• Keeping your section clean, organised, stocked and ready for service
• Following food safety, hygiene, allergen, labelling and storage procedures at all times
• Communicating clearly with the wider kitchen team and front of house where needed

What We are Offering

• The opportunity to join our chefs in the service kitchen
• Flexible, zero-hour contract
• Competitive rate of pay + tronc
• Staff discount of 20% when you dine with us
• On-shift discount of 50%
• Extended breaks & split-shifts
• Ability to set availability requests in our dedicated staff rota platform
• A strong, supporting team environment with a focus on growth & nurturing
• Measurable growth potential in your role
• Opportunity to undertake formal training & qualifications, such as Food Safety & Hygiene, First Aid

Hours

We are offering a flexible, zero hour contract (on a part-time or full-time basis) with the expectation to work split shifts of 12 hours, between 30 hours and up to 60 hours per week.

Tronc

We operate a transparent tronc system, meaning all tips are distributed fairly across the team based on hours worked and role. The tronc is managed independently and paid in addition to your hourly rate on a monthly basis, rewarding the whole team for delivering a consistently high standard of food and service. It ensures everyone contributes to, and benefits from, a busy and successful service. 

Your hourly rate of pay comprises your agreed wage + tronc. Any additional or surplus service charge collected is distributed via the tronc system in accordance with the Company’s tronc policy.

To Apply

Please read the full role description detailed above, and attach your CV, with a short cover note on why you are a good fit to join Smoking Lobster Group.