Workers Direct - Premier Catering Staff Agency in London | Hire Temporary Chefs, Kitchen Porters, DBS-Checked School Cooks & Catering Assistants Same-Day
Your Trusted London Catering Staff Agency - Get DBS-Checked Chefs, Kitchen Porters & Catering Assistants Today With Same-Day Placement and No Agency Fees
Quick Answer: To hire catering staff in London same day, contact Workers Direct on 020 3086 9080 before 10am. We provide DBS-checked temporary chefs, kitchen porters, catering assistants, and school cooks within hours for emergency cover, with no agency fees upfront and flexible pay-as-you-go rates across all London boroughs.
Looking for reliable catering staff services? At Workers Direct, we're more than just a catering agency staff provider – we're your go-to staff direct recruitment services partner. Whether you're a restaurant owner scrambling for hire catering staff, a school needing DBS checked cooks, or a pub short on kitchen porter hire, our catering staffing services ensure the right chef arrives at the right time.
As a leading catering staff agency London, we specialize in catering staffing agency solutions that fit your schedule. Find temporary staff has never been easier – our temp agency staff database is packed with experienced kitchen porters, catering assistants, and professional chefs. No more headaches from hiring catering staff last minute; just call our 24/7 catering agency and say, 'I need temp staff immediately'.
Why choose us over other agencies who supply catering staff? We're Workers Direct, the staff direct agency with direct hire agency expertise. Our direct staff recruitment process skips the fluff – direct hire technician staff, direct staff jobs, and staff direct jobs get filled fast. Businesses love our staff direct recruitment service because it's straightforward, like 'work direct' without the agency middleman drama.
On-Demand Catering Staffing Solutions for Every Kitchen
Workers Direct represents the evolution of catering staff services – we're not just a traditional catering recruitment agency, but your strategic partner for on-demand temporary workers London. Our modern approach to catering staffing means you get access to qualified professional chefs, kitchen assistants, and catering workers exactly when you need them, with the flexibility to scale up or down based on your kitchen requirements.
Common Kitchen Staffing Challenges
- • Last-minute chef absences
- • Seasonal demand fluctuations
- • Event-based kitchen crew needs
- • Maternity and long-term sick leave
- • DBS-checked school cook shortages
Workers Direct Solutions
- • Same-day chef hire Westminster
- • Pre-screened kitchen crew ready
- • Flexible temp-to-perm options
- • Specialist chef matching
- • 24/7 catering recruitment agency
👨🍳 Temporary Chefs
Perfect for covering absences and managing busy periods. Our temporary chefs provide qualified professionals from head chef temporary to commis chef hire who integrate seamlessly into your existing kitchen brigade.
🍽️ Kitchen Porters
Our kitchen porter hire service delivers reliable experienced kitchen porters for dish washing, food prep support, and kitchen maintenance across London venues.
🏫 School Catering Staff
Need DBS checked school cooks or school canteen staff hire? Our catering staff agency for schools provides fully vetted professionals for educational settings.
🎉 Event Serving Staff
Our serving staff agency delivers waiters waitresses events staffing and catering event staff for corporate functions, weddings, and special occasions.
Key Insight: We are the London temp agency for employers who can't afford to wait. Our rapid response capability means your kitchen maintains momentum even during unexpected staffing challenges.
Chef Recruitment Agency – From Head Chef to Commis
Need a head chef short term contract or professional commis chef agency? Workers Direct is your chef recruitment agency hub. We place chefs all levels, including head chef temporary, temporary tandoori chef hire, sushi chef recruitment London, carvery chef temp agency, and DBS checked school cooks. Our temporary chefs handle canteen cooks, pub kitchen staff, restaurant temps, and school canteen staff hire effortlessly. Businesses turn to us for flexible cooks maternity cover because we understand – kitchens can't wait.
Executive & Head Chefs
Head chef temporary placements for fine dining restaurants, hotels, and high-volume operations requiring experienced leadership.
- • Executive chef contracts
- • Head chef short term cover
- • Sous chef temp placements
- • Kitchen management interim
Specialist Chefs
Our tandoori chef agency and sushi chef staffing services provide specialized cuisine expertise for authentic dining experiences.
- • Tandoori chef hire London
- • Sushi chef recruitment
- • Carvery chef temps
- • Pastry chef temporary
Commis & CDP
Professional commis chef agency delivering line cooks and chef de partie professionals for all kitchen stations.
- • Commis chef hire
- • CDP temporary placements
- • Line cook agency
- • Prep chef temps
What is a Catering Staff Agency?
A catering staff agency is a specialized recruitment service that provides temporary and permanent kitchen professionals, including chefs, kitchen porters, catering assistants, and serving staff. These agencies maintain pre-screened talent pools to deliver qualified catering workers rapidly, often same-day, for restaurants, hotels, schools, events, and corporate catering operations.
Kitchen Assistants & Porters – Your Kitchen Crew Hire Lifeline
Kitchen assistants are the unsung heroes, and we supply the best experienced and professional kitchen crew. Need to hire kitchen staff like catering assistants, kitchen porter agency London, or dishwash porters contract work? Done. From food prep assistants urgent to kitchen cleaning staff agency, canteen porter flexible hire, and reliable kitchen assistants pubs – we're the catering temp agencies you need.
🧹 Kitchen Porter Services
- • Emergency kitchen porter London
- • Dishwash porters contract work
- • Kitchen cleaning staff agency
- • Canteen porter flexible hire
🥬 Catering Assistants
- • Food prep assistants urgent
- • Catering assistant uniform-ready
- • Kitchen support staff
- • Holiday cover assistants
🍺 Pub & Restaurant Staff
- • Reliable kitchen assistants pubs
- • Pub kitchen temps same day
- • Restaurant temps London
- • Temp chefs restaurants
How Much Does Kitchen Porter Hire Cost in London?
Kitchen porter hire in London typically costs £12.50-£14.50 per hour through an agency. This rate includes all employment costs such as holiday pay, National Insurance, and agency fees. Emergency or same-day kitchen porter placements may carry a small premium. Workers Direct offers competitive rates with no upfront fees.
Get Catering Staff for Your Kitchen in Minutes
Our streamlined process answers the question "how to hire catering staff in London?" with a simple, three-step approach that gets you results fast.
Tell Us Your Needs
Briefly describe your role requirements – whether you need a temporary tandoori chef, kitchen porter agency support, or DBS checked cooks for schools. Include urgency level, duration, and any specific skills required.
We Match You Instantly
Our catering recruitment agency process taps into our vetted talent pool. We're the catering staff agency near me for any London kitchen, with local candidates ready to start.
Your Staff Arrives
We handle all paperwork and compliance while you get a productive kitchen team member. Same day chef hire Westminster is not just a promise – it's our standard service.
Average Placement Time: Emergency chef cover within 2-4 hours | Kitchen porters within 24 hours | Specialist chefs within 3-5 days
Current Catering Jobs Available in London
| Job Title | Description | Hourly Rate | Location | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Chef de Partie | Hot section CDP for busy restaurant kitchen, all mise en place and service | £15.00 - £18.00 | Central London | Apply Now |
| Kitchen Porter | Dishwashing, cleaning, and general kitchen support duties | £12.50 - £14.00 | Westminster | Apply Now |
| School Cook (DBS) | DBS-checked cook for school canteen, preparing nutritious meals | £13.50 - £15.50 | North London | Apply Now |
| Catering Assistant | Food preparation, serving, and kitchen support in corporate catering | £12.50 - £13.50 | Canary Wharf | Apply Now |
| Tandoori Chef | Experienced tandoori specialist for authentic Indian restaurant | £14.50 - £17.00 | East London | Apply Now |
| Event Waiter/Waitress | Silver service and hospitality for corporate events and functions | £13.00 - £16.00 | Various London | Apply Now |
| Commis Chef | Junior chef position supporting all kitchen sections | £13.00 - £14.50 | South London | Apply Now |
| Pub Kitchen Chef | All-rounder chef for busy gastropub kitchen service | £14.00 - £16.50 | West London | Apply Now |
| Sushi Chef | Skilled sushi preparation and presentation for Japanese restaurant | £16.00 - £20.00 | Central London | Apply Now |
| Head Chef (Temp) | Kitchen leadership and menu execution for hotel restaurant | £18.00 - £25.00 | Westminster | Apply Now |
The Benefits of Using a Catering Staff Agency Like Workers Direct
⚡ Unmatched Speed & Reliability
When you need emergency kitchen porter London or same day chef hire Westminster, we deliver results that matter. Our commitment goes beyond just finding bodies – we provide qualified professional chefs and experienced kitchen porters who integrate seamlessly into your kitchen operations.
"Replace within 2 hours" Guarantee
If any catering staff member doesn't meet your standards, we'll provide a replacement within 2 hours during business hours – demonstrating our commitment to quality and reliability.
💰 Total Financial Flexibility
Our pay as you go catering staffing model eliminates financial risk. We offer clear, transparent pricing that helps you manage the cost of hiring catering staff effectively, with no surprise charges or hidden fees.
We're recognized as an affordable catering temp agency for small business London with flexible payment terms designed to support kitchens of all sizes.
✅ 100% DBS & Security Screened
All our school catering staff, cooks for schools, and kitchen professionals working in sensitive environments are fully DBS checked. Our security screened staff give you peace of mind when hiring for schools, hospitals, and corporate environments.
DBS Catering Staff Services:
- DBS checked school cooks UK
- School canteen staff hire
- Hospital kitchen staff
- Care home catering workers
- Corporate catering assistants
🏙️ Local London Expertise
Our focus on the capital includes specialized catering staff agency London solutions and comprehensive coverage. We understand local employment markets, transport links, and kitchen demands that make us the go-to hospitality temps London provider.
Central London
City, Westminster, Camden, Islington
Greater London
All 32 London boroughs covered
Specialist Areas
Canary Wharf, Mayfair, Shoreditch]
Catering Staffing for Every Industry
Our versatility across industries means whether you need temporary catering staff for a school canteen or professional chefs for a fine dining restaurant, we deliver the right talent with the right skills at the right time.
Schools & Education
School catering staff, cooks for schools, DBS checked cooks, and school canteen staff hire for primary, secondary, and further education.
- • DBS catering staff schools UK
- • School cook temporary
- • Canteen assistants
- • Kitchen porters education
Restaurants & Pubs
Catering staffing for restaurants, pub kitchen staff, reliable kitchen assistants pubs, and temp chefs restaurants London.
- • Pub kitchen temps same day
- • Restaurant temps London
- • Gastropub chefs
- • Casual dining staff
Events & Hospitality
Hospitality agency staff, catering event staff, waiters waitresses events staffing for weddings, corporate events, and functions.
- • Event serving staff agency
- • Corporate catering staff
- • Wedding catering teams
- • Conference hospitality
Hotels & Hospitality
Hospitality temps London for hotel kitchens, room service, and banqueting operations across the capital.
- • Hotel kitchen staff
- • Banquet chefs temporary
- • Room service porters
- • Breakfast chef temps
Corporate & Contract
Business catering staffing solutions for corporate cafeterias, contract catering companies, and workplace dining.
- • Contract catering staff
- • Corporate canteen cooks
- • Office catering assistants
- • Cafeteria porters
Healthcare & Care
Specialized catering staff for hospitals, care homes, and healthcare facilities with full DBS clearance.
- • Hospital kitchen staff
- • Care home cooks
- • Healthcare caterers
- • Dietary kitchen assistants
Catering Staff Cost Calculator London
Use our catering staff cost calculator to get a free, instant estimate for your kitchen staffing needs.
Estimated Total Cost
London Kitchens Using Our Catering Staff Successfully
Case Study 1
Westminster Fine Dining Restaurant – Urgent Head Chef Cover
Challenge: Michelin-starred restaurant faced crisis when their head chef fell ill 4 hours before a major corporate booking for 80 guests.
Solution: Workers Direct deployed an experienced head chef temporary with fine dining experience within 3 hours, complete with full briefing on menu and kitchen protocols.
Results: Event executed flawlessly, client received outstanding reviews, and the temporary chef was retained for 3 additional weeks during recovery period.
North London School Academy – Term-Time Kitchen Staffing
Challenge: Multi-academy trust needed DBS checked school cooks and catering assistants across 5 school sites for new term.
Solution: Our catering staff agency for schools provided 15 fully vetted kitchen staff including cooks, catering assistants, and kitchen porters with complete DBS clearance.
Results: All 5 school kitchens fully operational from day one, 95% staff attendance throughout term, and 8 temps converted to permanent roles.
Case Study 2
What London Kitchens Say About Workers Direct
"When our head chef walked out mid-service, Workers Direct had a replacement CDP here within 2 hours. The chef was experienced, professional, and handled our menu perfectly. Absolute lifesavers for any restaurant!"
"Workers Direct consistently delivers quality DBS-checked kitchen staff for our schools. Their same-day placement service has been invaluable during unexpected absences. Highly recommended for education catering."
"We've used several catering agencies over the years, but Workers Direct stands out for their speed and quality. The kitchen porters are reliable, hardworking, and require minimal supervision."
"The temp-to-perm option through Workers Direct has been fantastic. We've hired four permanent chefs who started as temps – it really reduces the risk of making the wrong kitchen hire."
Key Information About Catering Staffing in London
What is Catering Staff Meaning?
Catering staff refers to professionals who prepare, cook, serve, and support food service operations. This includes chefs of all levels, kitchen porters, catering assistants, servers, and kitchen support workers. Catering staff work in restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, corporate venues, and event settings.
How Much Does Temporary Chef Hire Cost?
Temporary chef hire in London costs £13-£25 per hour depending on seniority. Kitchen porters start at £12.50/hour, commis chefs at £14/hour, CDP at £15.50/hour, sous chefs at £17/hour, and head chefs can command £20-£25/hour. Rates include all employment costs with no upfront agency fees.
Benefits of Using a Catering Staff Agency
Using a catering staff agency provides rapid access to pre-screened kitchen professionals, reduces recruitment time from weeks to hours, eliminates payroll administration, offers flexible scaling for busy periods, and provides replacement guarantees if staff don't meet standards.
DBS Requirements for School Catering Staff
All catering staff working in UK schools require an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. This includes cooks, kitchen porters, catering assistants, and any role with access to pupils. Checks typically take 2-4 weeks. Workers Direct maintains a pool of DBS-cleared candidates for immediate school placements.
Temporary vs Permanent Kitchen Staff
Temporary kitchen staff provide flexibility for peak periods, holiday cover, and sick leave without long-term commitments. Permanent staff offer consistency but require lengthy recruitment. Many businesses use temp-to-perm arrangements to evaluate chefs in real kitchen conditions before making permanent offers.
Chef Shortage Statistics UK 2025
The UK hospitality sector faces a shortage of approximately 170,000 workers, with chefs among the most difficult roles to fill. London restaurants report 40% of chef vacancies taking over 2 months to fill. This shortage makes temporary chef agencies essential for maintaining kitchen operations.
Same-Day Chef Hire Process
Same-day chef hire requires contacting an agency before 10am with specific role requirements. The agency matches available candidates from their pre-screened pool, confirms skills and availability, handles paperwork, and deploys the chef to your kitchen within 2-6 hours depending on urgency and specialization needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hire catering staff in London?
To hire catering staff in London through Workers Direct: Call us on 020 3086 9080 or fill out our online form with your requirements. We'll discuss the role, skills needed, and start date – then send you pre-screened candidates within hours. Once you select your preferred chef or kitchen staff, they can start immediately. We handle all paperwork, payroll, and insurance.
What types of catering staff do you provide?
We provide all types of catering staff including: Head chefs, sous chefs, CDPs, commis chefs, specialist chefs (tandoori, sushi, carvery), kitchen porters, catering assistants, school cooks (DBS checked), canteen staff, serving staff, waiters and waitresses, event catering teams, and delivery drivers. All roles available on temporary, permanent, or temp-to-perm basis.
How fast can you provide temporary chefs in London?
We can supply temporary chefs within 2-4 hours for emergencies. Our 24/7 service means we're always ready – whether you need cover at 6am or 10pm. For specialist chefs like sushi or tandoori, allow 24-48 hours. General kitchen porters and catering assistants? Usually on-site within hours of your call.
Do you provide DBS checked cooks for schools?
Yes, we specialize in DBS checked school cooks and catering staff. All our school kitchen workers have Enhanced DBS clearance, food hygiene certificates, and relevant experience in educational settings. We understand safeguarding requirements and maintain a dedicated pool of vetted candidates for immediate school placements.
Can I hire kitchen staff for just one day?
Absolutely! We supply catering staff from as little as 4 hours up to several months. One-day bookings are common for events, sick cover, or busy service periods. We've got clients who book single-day chefs weekly and others who only call during Christmas rush. No booking is too short.
What is the cost of hiring a temporary chef in London?
Temporary chef costs vary by seniority: Kitchen porters £12.50-£14/hr, commis chefs £14-£15/hr, CDPs £15-£17/hr, sous chefs £17-£20/hr, head chefs £20-£25/hr. Specialist chefs (tandoori, sushi) typically command £16-£22/hr. All rates include agency fees with no hidden costs or upfront charges.
How do you ensure quality catering staff?
Every catering staff member goes through our screening process: face-to-face kitchen skills assessment, two reference checks, right-to-work verification, food hygiene certification check, and DBS where required. We maintain regular contact and monitor client feedback. If anyone doesn't meet standards, we replace them within 2 hours, guaranteed.
Ready to Hire Catering Staff and Keep Your Kitchen Running?
Don't wait for a kitchen staffing crisis to impact your service. Partner with Workers Direct for flexible, reliable, and rapid catering recruitment London. Get the professional chefs, kitchen porters, and catering assistants you need, exactly when you need them.
24/7 Kitchen Staffing Hotline
Available around the clock for urgent chef requests
Get Catering Staff Today
Quick enquiry form and live chat available
Need catering staff today? Call 020 3086 9080 for same-day chef placement across London & Westminster.
