We feature some of the best chef’s in the world on The Staff Canteen but where would they be without their kitchen porter?

We thought it was time to celebrate the unsung heroes of the kitchen in a new monthly feature, KP of the Month, and this month it is Radek Popczyk, born and raised just outside of Dabrewa Gornicza southern Poland, on the Czarna Przemsza River just northeast of Katowice. He currently works at The Grand Hotel & Spa, York and he was nominated by head chef Craig Atchinson, who said: “Radek is a truly amazing member of our team, nothing is ever a problem for him and when he is on duty you know he’s going to get it all boxed off. Besides that he is a true gentleman and would bend over backwards to go the extra mile”

How long have you worked at The Grand Hotel in York for?

Just over a year.

Why did you want to be a kitchen porter?

Being a kitchen porter was a great opportunity to enter into an amazing environment full diversity and culture, especially in a city like York which is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK.

I have never done the job before so I was very nervous entering a kitchen, it was quite daunting the first couple of days but I got used to it pretty fast.

Are you interested in cooking or happy to stay as a kitchen porter?

I love being a kitchen porter but cooking is a real passion, I love helping out on breakfast when it gets busy, I make the best scrambled egg in the city! Although I love to cook I think I will remain as a kitchen porter for now but who knows what the future brings.

What is it like to work at The Grand, and what is Craig like as a boss?

The Grand is an amazing place to work, first of all it’s located in an amazing city and all of the staff and management are brilliant, everyone is dedicated to be the best they can. I can honestly say that out of all the managers I have had in my working life Craig is the best, although he can be very demanding at times he truly cares about his staff and encourages us to develop and gets the best out of people.

>>> Read more about Craig Atchinson at The Grand Hotel & Spa here

As a kitchen porter, what’s the most annoying thing chefs do in the kitchen?

Burnt pans are a nightmare especially porridge!

Is there anything chefs could do to make your life easier?

Don’t burn Pans!

And do you get to try the food? And do you have a favourite dish you have tried at the restaurant?

I won the kitchen ninja award last month which is an incentive set up by Craig where he selects a member of staff who have performed well. The reward is a tasting menu for two in the restaurant which was a wonderful experience. It was a delight to see the results of all the hard work and have a chance to try the end product. My favourite dish is the stone bass with fennel and bisque “fantastyczny”.

Would you encourage other chefs to nominate and celebrate their kitchen porters?

Absolutely, it has been an honour to be nominated for kp of the month for my hard work and it shows everyone how important the job is. There is no way the chefs could do their jobs without us.  

>>> Read more KP of the Month features here