Waiter and Kitchen Staff Jobs in Malaysia
The Malaysian F&B Industry and Hospitality is on fire! The need to find a committed Waiter and Kitchen Personnel is always high in the fast-paced street food shops of Penang, as well as in high-end Fine Dining restaurants in Kuala Lumpur (KL). You are a fresh graduate and want to pursue a Part-Time job, or an experienced Chef to try something new, or you are simply seeking Jawatan Kosong Pelayan (Vacancy Waiter), Malaysia has a nice rewarding route through its various cuisines.
Roles of High Demand Front-of-House and Back-of-House
The F&B industry in Malaysia needs skilled people in two aspects which are:
Front-of-House: The Face of Hospitality
These positions are Customer Service-based and guest experience. The titles that you need to be searching are:
- Waiter / Waitress
- F&B Service Crew (a generic, general phrase)
- Captain (supervisory position commonly placed in Fine Dining or Hotel establishments)
- Barista (professional position, frequently in Cafe or Coffee Shop setting)
An effective Service Crew member should have great Order Taking, problem solving and Communication Skills with the guests and the kitchen.
Back-of-House: The Culinary Engine
These jobs are crucial in quality of food and effective operations. Jobs in the back-of-house can be simply called Kitchen Staff or Kitchen Crew.
- Cook / Chef / Head Chef
- Commis Chef (cooking job)
- Kitchen Helper / Steward / Dishwasher
These are jobs that demand that the individual is able to follow strict Food Safety and Hygiene principles as well as excellent Teamwork skills, especially when working in high-volume facilities such as Catering or a large Banquet.
Salary and Compensation: Salary and Gaji
Payments in the Malaysian F&B industry normally consist of the basic salary (Gaji), service charge, and tips.
- Minimum Wage Standard: All states are subject to the national minimum wage standard that sets a minimum on your Gaji.
- Organization: The majority of Waiter and Service Crew positions are provided with a Basic + Tips (or Service Charge) organization. Service charge in Hotel and Fine Dining environments may boost the monthly revenue to a great extent.
- Kitchen Staff Wages: Commis Chef or a skilled Cook in Kuala Lumpur will be able to earn a higher minimum wage than Pembantu Dapur positions with the Head Chef receiving significantly large premium due to their prestigious Cooking Skills (e.g., in Malay, Chinese, or Western Cuisine).
In case with candidates who need to have an Expat Job or need a Work Permit to be issued, it is necessary to check whether the Hotel or Restaurant where they work is licensed to employ foreigners.
The Necessary Success Skills: More Than Serving
In order to be unique in the competitive Malaysian market you will have to demonstrate a certain pool of Skills and Requirements:
- Language: It is usually compulsory to be Bilingual (English and Malay). Knowing Mandarin or Tamil is an enormous advantage particularly in multiethnic urban areas and Mamak restaurants.
- Safety First: All Kitchen Staff and Steward positions are not negotiable in terms of demonstrating knowledge of Food Safety and Hygiene.
- Soft Skills: Customer Service A lot of people work in the industry. Being a Multitasker, an efficient person in trouble, and a true Hospitality Manager is an extremely desirable quality of any Pekerja Restoran.
- Math Abilities: Basic Math skills are required when it comes to dealing with payments and handling cash registers correctly.
Action Plan on Job Seekers (Student Job to Senior Chef)
- Find Your Niche: Does your flexibility in a Cafe as a Part-Time Student Job or as a Chef in a Fine Dining house make you choose a Full-Time career?
- Maximize Your Resume: Incorporate both English and Malay words (e.g., Pembantu Dapur, Jawatan Kosong Pelayan) to get around job board filtering.
- Go Direct: A great number of Mamak stalls, Kopitiam, and independent Food Truck owners are fond of walk-in applications, in particular, when there are Urgent Hiring needs.
- Emphasize Specialized Skills: In case you have worked in Baking or Pastry, or have a knowledge in a particular cuisine, then bring it out.
FAQs
Do students have numerous Part-Time jobs?
Absolutely. The flexibility of staffing approach implies that a large number of Casual Dining and Cafe locations in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are currently in search of Student Job candidates capable of working on Part-Time basis with a flexible Shift Work schedule.
What is the distinction between the Cook and the Commis Chef?
A Commis Chef is typically the lowest rank within a professional brigade, and comes under superior chefs. A Cook is a general term, which tends to be applied to employees whose Cooking Skills are general in smaller restaurants or non-brigade systems.
Is Bilingualism important in this industry?
It is extremely important. Even in places such as Penang and KL, where it is possible to use English, Malay and Mandarin (so to speak) to make a successful Order Taking and communicate, your employability can rise greatly, and so does your starting Gaji.
Final Thoughts
The Malaysian FB Industry presents incredible growth prospects in terms of careers, and it is a dynamic place to all level of Dishwasher beginner all the way to the senior position of a Head Chef. You are in a good position to nab a good job by targeting your search with specific terms such as Kitchen Staff, Service Crew and location name, such as Johor Bahru or Sabah and emphasizing your hard-core Customer Service and Hygiene skills.
Disclosure
This employment information is provided with the intent of learning and informational purposes only. Before applying, please ensure that all information such as salary estimates, job requirements and the terms and conditions of the contract are checked and verified to the official employer or government site. In Malaysia, there are local labor and immigration laws that govern employment in the country.