Volunteer Kitchen Hand & Bar Tender Duties

What You’ll Be Up To

If you’re the type who likes a bit of structure (or just wants to know what they’ve signed up for), here’s your cheat sheet for rocking the kitchen and bar shift.

Kitchen & Cooking Assistance (the heart of the kitchen)

• Help the cook with making bread, jams, rusks, and other delicious treats.
• During your 2 to 6 pm shift, pack the fridge and scullery to keep everything organized and ready for use.
• After dinner, wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen to ensure it’s spotless for the next day.

Kitchen & Cleaning (the behind-the-scenes magic)

• Keep the kitchen looking less like a tornado zone and more like a kitchen — before and after dinner.
• Take out the compost and give the bin a good rinse.
• Don’t let the sink become a mountain of doom — wash as you go.
• Wipe down counters in reception and kitchen (leave no spaghetti sauce behind).
• Sweep and mop if needed — especially after any flour explosions.
• Empty ashtrays, sweep the balcony, and pretend your mom is inspecting it.
• Clean and refill the lanterns — we’re going for mood lighting, not soot.
• Keep the stove looking like it actually works.
• Top up the coffee station — future you will be grateful.
• Deep clean the storerooms once a week (we know, not glamorous, but necessary).

Dinner Duty (because we love a good meal)

• Help with prepping and serving the evening feast.
• Make sure tables look cute: salt, pepper, and napkins centered and civilized.

Bar & Pantry Patrol

• Keep the bar fridge stocked (hydration is happiness).
• Check and tidy the pantry — chaos doesn’t cook well.
• Serve up drinks like the legend you are.
• Ice machine acting up after load shedding? Refill and restart.

Chill Zones & Game Area

• Fluff the pillows and make the couches look inviting.
• Tidy up the chill areas — think “Pinterest bush lodge”.
• Reset the game zone — ready for the next UNO showdown.
• Replenish braai wood the day after the fire feast.

Lights & Power

• Turn on the lights at sunset — vibes only.
• Turn off unused lights and A/C — Eskom will thank you.

Reception Vibes

• Upload your best photos and videos to the Google Drive (don’t keep the magic to yourself).
• Tag us on Instagram or TikTok — we love a good reel.
• Keep the reception looking sharp.
• Close up the hostel at night — lock up, tidy up, goodnight.

Social Butterfly Duties

• Be friendly — even if your hands smell like onions.
• Encourage games, chats, and that classic backpacker bonding.

Inclusion of Trainees

Include Trudy and Happiness as much as possible in your activities. They are both very young and shy, and not familiar with western cultures. Your support and encouragement will help them gain confidence and learn new skills.

Final Tips

• If you use the kitchen, clean up like your future roommate is watching.
• Check the safari schedule — don’t miss your own adventure.

Things to Keep an Eye On

• Cups and bottles growing legs — pick them up.
• Floors — swept and guest-ready.
• Pillows — no pillow fights unless you clean up after.
• Counters — spotless like the day they were born.
• Unnecessary lights and A/C — off, off, off.
• Chill areas and games — reset like it’s opening night.
• Coffee station, bar fridge, pantry — stocked, clean, and proud.
• Ice machine — keep it cool.
• End of shift? Hostel locked, peaceful, and ready for tomorrow.