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Table of contents

Chef resume examples
Related resume examples
Choose the right resume format for your chef resume
How to write a chef resume in 5 simple steps
Add a cover letter
Key takeaways for your chef resume
Frequently asked question about resume writing

Your culinary skills are the best of the best but have you been able to cook up a resume that will make your career sizzle? In a competitive industry like food and beverage, even top chefs need a strong resume that helps them stand out from the competition. So, don’t have egg on your face when it comes to your chef resume. We are here to help you craft one that will help you get your next big opportunity.

With the help of some easy-to-follow instructions on how to write a resume for your career in cooking and some excellent resume examples for reference, the task can be much simpler than you think. Here, you’ll learn exactly what you need to know to write an impressive chef resume in a matter of minutes.

Keep reading to find:

Examples of chef resumes for applicants with and without experience.
What makes a chef resume stand out.
Tips and tricks for writing your resume, including how to study a chef job description for resume keywords.
What to include in every section of your chef resume.
How to choose the right resume template and format for the role.

Ready to write a chef resume now? Use our professional AI Resume Builder for step-by-step help writing every section.

Chef resume examples

Entry-level chef resume example

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What makes this a great entry-level chef resume sample?

Strong branding
This resume is neatly organized, easy to read and features a simple but stylish design. It conveys the applicant’s personality without distracting from her career achievements.
Uses multiple skills sections
This candidate uses two types of skills sections to showcase her hard and soft skills and show employers at-a-glance that she has what it takes to succeed as a chef.
Includes work experience
While this applicant doesn’t have direct work experience as a chef, she has culinary training and relevant volunteer work. By using those experiences to fill out her work experience section, she shows employers that she’s comfortable in a kitchen.

Experienced chef resume example

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What makes this a great experienced chef resume sample?

Uses a versatile template
This resume is written on a simple resume template, which allows the applicant’s credentials to be the star of the show. This template can be used for all types of dining establishments from corporate chains to fine dining.
Uses numerical data
This applicant shows off the impact of his work through the use of numbers in both his professional summary and his work experience section. This helps show potential employers what he is capable of in the kitchen.
Includes special sections
This chef has special training that will impress employers. To make it stand out, he added his certifications under a special header. Doing this makes it easy to scan the resume and find the skills and training that makes this applicant unique.

Choose the right resume format for your chef resume

To land the chef job you want, you need to get the most impressive parts of your background in front of the hiring manager. You can accomplish that by choosing a resume format that puts your most noteworthy credentials front and center.

Here’s how to decide which one is right for you:

The chronological resume format is perfect for applicants with little to no direct work experience as a chef.
The combination resume format is great for midlevel applicants who have a few years of work experience as a chef.
The functional resume format works best for experienced applicants who have five or more years of relevant experience as a chef.

Visit our guide to learn more about how to format a resume for more information on how to best showcase your skills, training and experience.

Now that you’ve chosen the perfect format, it’s time to pick your resume template.

Choose the right resume template for your resume

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While every resume will have the same basic sections — a professional summary or resume objective, skills, work history and education — you can customize the look and feel of your resume by selecting the right resume template.

While there are many different resume designs, a versatile simple resume template may be the way to go, especially if you’re a chef applying for work in a variety of different types of restaurants. Its minimalist design makes your skills and experience the star of the show over fussy design elements. Plus, these templates are appropriate for applying for work at a casual family restaurant or a fine dining establishment.

For a more colorful resume, try a creative or modern resume. These have more flair and allow you to show off your personality. Remember, though, that these designs might not be the right choice for very conservative roles, such as a chef at a country club.

Now let’s dive into the writing process.

How to write a chef resume in 5 simple steps

While there are some basic rules for writing a great resume, top candidates for competitive chef jobs know that the key to getting noticed is to write a resume that is specific to the industry and the role they seek. Let’s learn how to do just that, step by step.

Step 1

Study the chef job description

A well-written chef resume is customized to include keywords that show employers that you have what it takes to perform the role. Why is this important?

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are programs used by many employers to help them screen out unqualified candidates. The software compares your resume to a list of preset keywords. If your resume doesn’t contain the right keywords, you’ll be eliminated before a human ever sees your resume. To make your resume ATS-friendly, you’ll need to customize it to the chef job description to improve your chances of landing a job interview.

Sound tricky? Don’t worry — it’s actually quite easy.

While every chef role is different, a good job ad should tell you everything you need to know about which keywords to add to your chef resume. The key to success is to study the job description and make a list of critical keywords.

For example, if the job description for the chef role you seek asks for menu planning and plating and presentation experience, you’ll want to be sure to use those exact words in your chef resume. Remember, an ATS doesn’t understand nuance, so using the same phrasing as the job ad is critical.

Look for opportunities in your professional summary, skills section and work experience section to add the keywords you’ve identified. Then, go through your resume and make sure what you wrote matches the wording in the job description so that the ATS recognizes it.

It may sound like a lot, but once you get used to the process, it should only take you a few minutes to do and will get your chef resume better results than if you don’t tailor it.

Step 2

Write a professional summary or resume objective

Depending on your level of experience, your chef resume should include either a professional summary or a resume objective to start. Think of this section as your resume profile, where you provide potential employers with a summary of your most relevant skills and experience and some professional highlights.

Candidates with less experience should choose a resume objective, which states your transferable skills and your career goals. Applicants with more direct experience in a chef role should use a professional summary, which outlines your skills and experience and highlights some of your most notable professional accomplishments.

Let’s look at how each of these would appear on a chef resume.

Chef professional summary example:

Passionate and innovative chef with four years of culinary expertise honed in the demanding environment of a Michelin star-rated restaurant. Proven track record of creating exquisite dishes that seamlessly blend flavor, technique and presentation. Adept at orchestrating kitchen operations and leading a team to deliver exceptional dining experiences. Possesses a culinary arts certification from the Culinary Institute of America. Specializes in precision plating and creative menu development, ensuring a harmonious fusion of taste and visual appeal. Recognized for a meticulous attention to detail, guaranteeing each dish meets the highest standards of culinary excellence. Ready to elevate culinary experiences and contribute to the continued success of fine dining establishments.

Chef resume objective example:

Enthusiastic and recent graduate from the California Culinary Academy, eager to apply formal training and hands-on experience gained in culinary arts. Adept at mastering culinary techniques and creating visually stunning, flavorful dishes. Possesses a strong foundation in menu development, kitchen operations and food safety practices. Known for a keen palate and a passion for experimenting with diverse ingredients. Demonstrated skills in time management, organization and teamwork. Ready to contribute creativity and dedication to a dynamic kitchen team, while continuously expanding culinary expertise.

Step 3

Highlight your most relevant chef skills

Cooking is all about skills. So, whether you have a decade of experience or are just out of school, hiring managers will be looking closely at the chef resume skills you list. Skills for a chef resume should be added to your resume skills section and peppered into your professional summary (or resume objective) and your work experience section. When it comes to skills, the more you have the better you’ll do in the job search.

Since cooking is a team sport and the chef serves as the captain, be sure to provide employers with a solid mix of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are the measurable skills needed to perform a job, like menu development. Soft skills, like communication and teamwork, are behaviors and personality traits, which make them difficult to measure.

Below, we provide a side-by-side list of hard and soft skills to help you see the difference between the two.

Key Culinary Skills

Hard Skills

Knife skills
Sous vide cooking
Baking and pastry
Menu planning
Food presentation

Soft Skills

Creativity
Team collaboration
Time management
Attention to detail
Adaptability

Here’s an example of a strong resume skills section for a chef:

Adept at harnessing the bold, comforting flavors of the South — from smoky barbecue and rich gravies to perfectly seasoned collard greens and cornbread.
Master of the art of creamy, velvety grits and rich, flavorful gravies that serve as the cornerstone of Southern comfort dining..
Expertise in low-and-slow smoking methods, resulting in tender, flavor-infused meats that pay homage to the authentic barbecue traditions.
Commitment to sourcing fresh, local ingredients to ensure the highest quality and authenticity in every dish, supporting both local communities and the integrity of Southern cuisine.
Talent for infusing Southern flair into modern culinary trends, creating a unique dining experience that bridges the gap between tradition and innovation.

Pro tip

When writing your skills section, adding computer skills and other technical abilities, like knife skills or special cooking techniques are great. However, being a chef requires interacting with kitchen staff, vendors and customers so soft skills count, too. Try to find a mix of hard and soft skills to show that you’re a well balanced applicant.

Step 4

Write a strong chef work experience section

Every kitchen is different, so while the required skills and experience will be different for each role, the key to getting noticed is writing a work experience section that demonstrates what you will bring to the table.

Think about your work experience in terms of projects that challenged you, obstacles you’ve overcome and professional wins you’ve enjoyed over the course of your career. Describing your work experience in these terms helps show off the impact of your work rather than just your job duties.

Sample chef work history entry:

Head Chef, Sea Breeze Restaurant
San Francisco, CA
March 2016 – December 2019

Led a team of 10 culinary professionals in the creation and execution of a dynamic seafood-focused menu, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction scores.
Oversaw all aspects of kitchen operations, including menu development, purchasing, inventory management and staff training, ensuring seamless and efficient service.
Spearheaded a kitchen renovation project, optimizing workflow and introducing state-of-the-art equipment, leading to a 25% improvement in kitchen efficiency.
Designed and introduced seasonal specials that showcased innovative seafood pairings, contributing to a 10% increase in average check size.

Pro tip

Like the example above, make your chef’s credentials pop by using action words, data and metrics in your work experience section. Interesting language and numbers will help capture the attention of a hiring manager.

Step 5

Showcase your education and training

To be hired as a chef, you’ll need to show employers that you have the required education and training. Top candidates for chef’s roles often list a degree in Culinary Arts and relevant certifications or special training. There is no need to list your year of graduation unless you are a very recent grad.

How to list your education:

EDUCATION

Culinary Arts Degree Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY May 2024

RELEVANT COURSEWORK:

Culinary Techniques and Methods
Menu Planning and Development
Food Safety and Sanitation
Gastronomy and Culinary Arts History

CERTIFICATIONS:

Certified Fundamentals Cook (CFC), American Culinary Federation (ACF)

Optional sections for your chef resume

Certifications

Acquiring certifications demonstrates a dedication to professional growth and excellence in the culinary arts. If you have obtained these, be sure to add them to your resume, whether as part of your education section or in its own section if you have more than one certification.

How to showcase certifications on your resume:

Certified Sous Chef, Culinary Institute of America, 2022
ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification, National Restaurant Association, 2021

Hobbies and interests

Highlighting personal pursuits or interests, especially those related to culinary arts, provides a more holistic view of your passion for the culinary world.

How to include hobbies and interests on your resume:

Collaborated on a community-based cooking event, celebrating local flavors and fostering a sense of culinary community.
Regularly experiment with innovative cooking techniques at home, creating unique and memorable dining experiences for family and friends.

Awards and honors

Adding honors and awardsto your chef resume is a strategic way to highlight your exceptional skills, accomplishments and qualifications. In the culinary field, where precision and excellence are paramount, showcasing awards for outstanding performance demonstrates your dedication and ability to make significant contributions to any kitchen, ultimately enhancing your prospects of securing the job.

How to showcase awards and honors on your resume:

Michelin Star, Brett’s Boathouse, 2020
Best New Restaurant, 7×7 Magazine, 2018

Languages

In today’s competitive job market, proficiency in multiple languages is a highly valued asset. Being multilingual not only expands your communication capabilities but also enables you to effectively engage with a broader spectrum of individuals, including your kitchen staff and guests. Ultimately, when candidates are otherwise evenly matched, a multilingual applicant is more appealing to employers, plus speaking more than one language can open up international employment opportunities.

How to showcase languages on your resume:

Fluent in English and Spanish

Add a cover letter

Create your cover letter

Adding a cover letter to your farmer resume can help you stand out. Why? Because it gives you extra space to convince the employer that you’re the right person for the job. Use your cover letter to highlight your most relevant skills and most impressive achievements in farming. Use metrics whenever possible to show the impact of your work.

For expert guidance on crafting a compelling cover letter, explore our comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter and draw inspiration from our extensive library of cover letter examples.

To create a cover letter that complements your new resume, consider using a professionally designed cover letter template from our Cover Letter Builder.

Key takeaways for your chef resume

Follow our steps for a standout farmer resume:

Take care to write all five sections of your resume in a way that is specific to the job you seek. Your professional summary, skills, work experience and education section should all contain information that is targeted to the job ad.
Select the appropriate resume format:

Decide what you’d like to emphasize the most on your farmer resume — such as strong skills, an impressive work history or both — and then select the format that will help you put your best foot forward.
Be specific to the role:

Use specific information from the farmer job description rather than using generic resume filler when crafting your document. Again, a well-written job description will tell you the critical keywords and credentials you must emphasize on your resume.
Include both hard and soft skills:

Being a farmer requires a mix of technical and personal skills to do the job well. Study our list of hard and soft skills to be sure that you include a balance of both types in your resume.
Make your work experience section shine:

Accomplish this by using action verbs, data and metrics to show the impact of your work.
Choose an appropriate resume template:

Farming is a varied field that exists in creative environments and conservative workplaces alike. If you’re applying for a job at a conservative organization, you’ll want to choose a conservative resume design. For creative fields, your farmer resume can be more colorful and creative.
Go the extra mile:

Including a well-written farmer cover letter can increase your chances of landing a job interview, so don’t skip the chance to include one with your application.

Frequently asked question about resume writing

How do I include honors and awards on my resume?

What is an ATS resume?

How important is font size on a resume?

What are core competencies and how do I list them on a resume?

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Heather is the Content Strategy Manager for Resume Now and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than ten years of experience writing about job search and career topics. She is based in San Francisco.