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Table of contents

Cook resume examples
Related resume examples:
Choose the right resume format for your cook resume
How to write a cook resume in 5 simple steps
Add a cover letter
Key takeaways for your cook resume
Commonly asked questions about resume writing

Is there anything better than a good meal? Food is one of the most important needs a person can have, and as a cook, you know better than anyone how much skill it takes to create food that meets those needs and leaves the customer happy and satisfied.

A true wizard in the kitchen, your ability to efficiently prep food, precisely follow complex recipes and maintain the highest standards of safety and cleanliness are key to keeping your restaurant running smoothly. Now, all you need to do is write a resume that hiring managers will savor!

Leave that to us. Our guide will help you put together a resume that shows off your professional skills to help land you the right role in the kitchen of your dreams.

This guide will cover:

Inspiring cook resume examples.
Steps to write your own impactful resume for a cook.
Optional sections to elevate your cook resume.
The importance of writing an effective cover letter.
Key takeaways for your job-winning resume.

Want a delicious resume generated in just a few minutes? Try our AI Resume Builder. Choose a design that embodies your dynamic working style and receive expert guidance for each section, ensuring your content truly matches your personality and passion.

Cook resume examples

Entry-level cook resume example

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Why this entry-level cook resume works:

Keeps it simple
As a cook, you’re aware that too many flavors can be a distracting mess. This resume allows the candidate’s qualifications to shine by sticking with a simple layout that doesn’t compete for the reader’s attention.
Goal-oriented
This candidate doesn’t have much experience in the kitchen, so it makes sense for her resume to focus on the ways she wants to grow as a cook instead of her lack of hard experience.
Includes soft skills
The kitchen is a fast-paced environment where the pressure can get intense. A candidate can be a really great cook and still have a hard time succeeding if they can’t keep their cool. This candidate emphasizes soft skills like “active listening” and “collaboration” to prove that she can keep up.

Experienced cook resume example

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Why this experienced cook resume works:

Strong branding
Cooking is hard work, but it’s creative too. This candidate chose a resume format that shows a bit of personality, giving hiring managers some insight into his character and creative tastes.
Includes certifications
Handling food safely and hygienically is one of the most important aspects of a cook’s role. This candidate proves he has sanitation covered by including two certifications related to safe food handling.
Emphasizes experience
This candidate has over a decade of experience in the kitchen, so he’s chosen to center his resume around showcasing his impressive work history.

Choose the right resume format for your cook resume

Choosing the right resume format is a crucial decision for a cook. Your chosen format should highlight your culinary journey and achievements. Consider which of these three formats aligns with your culinary career:

The chronological resume format is ideal for experienced cooks. It showcases your culinary evolution in reverse-chronological order, allowing potential employers to trace your progression in the culinary world, such as significant dishes you’ve prepared or specific roles you’ve held over the years.
The combination resume format skillfully combines your culinary history with a comprehensive skills section. It’s well-suited for midcareer cooks, especially those aspiring to leadership or supervisory positions.
The functional resume format spotlights your culinary skills, making it a perfect choice for cooks who are just entering the field or transitioning from roles like internships or culinary programs.

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

Choose the right resume template for your culinary resume

Create your resume

Your resume template should reflect the dedication, professionalism and style expected of a cook.

For cooks looking to create a professional resume quickly, a simple resume template may be the way to go. Its minimalistic design places your culinary skills and experience at the forefront in the most straightforward manner.

For a resume that leaves a lasting impression, try a creative or modern resume. These styles add a touch of character and give you the opportunity to showcase your culinary flair.

Considering the competitive nature of the culinary industry, many hiring managers will be flooded with applications. That’s why the template you choose is so significant. Your resume template should leave a strong impression while organizing your information clearly and elegantly.

Our resume templates are available in various file types. Word resume templates and Google Doc templates are perfect for downloading and customizing for your unique culinary career.

Now that you’ve curated the perfect resume style, it’s time to delve into the writing process.

How to write a cook resume in 5 simple steps

Your resume is your opportunity to introduce your career to the hiring department at the restaurant or company that you’re targeting. This means that every section of your resume should be aligned with the role and chock-full of proof that you have what it takes. We’ll help you pull it off!

Let’s break down this process step by step.

Step 1

Review the culinary job listing for keywords

Before you’ve written a single word of your resume, take a look at the job description for the cooking position you’re pursuing. You wouldn’t start cooking before you’ve done your prep work, right? Then you shouldn’t write before you’ve done your research either.

Use the job listing to identify keywords that you should pepper throughout your resume. These key phrases will generally be skills or aptitudes that the hiring department is looking for in their ideal candidate. Often, hiring departments will streamline this process by employing applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen out resumes that don’t have these keywords.

To create a resume compatible with ATS systems, ensure your content matches the terms found in the job description. For example, if “efficient prep work” or “creative collaboration” are emphasized, incorporate these into your professional summary, skills section and work history. Just make sure not to list qualifications that you don’t actually have.

Step 2

Summarize your culinary achievements

If your resume is a five course meal, your resume profile is the appetizer. This introduction to your career sets the tone for the rest of your resume, which is why it’s vital that you use the right strategy to make the most of this section. There are two primary types of resume profiles: professional summaries and resume objectives, and both can work well for your resume, depending on your career stage.

A professional summary offers a comprehensive overview of your culinary career, making it ideal for those with extensive and consistent experience in the culinary world. They are particularly impactful for seasoned chefs who have left a culinary mark, such as creating signature dishes or reshaping restaurant menus.

On the other hand, a resume objective outlines your culinary aspirations. It’s a great choice for cooks who might be new to the profession, such as culinary school graduates or those transitioning from other culinary roles. This format underscores your enthusiasm, adaptability and the unique perspectives you can bring to the world of cooking.

Let’s explore how each of these would appear on a cook’s resume.

Cooking professional summary example:

Experienced cook with over a decade of culinary mastery, specializing in crafting delectable dishes that delight the senses. Known for inventing unique recipes and consistently exceeding diner expectations. Proficient at merging culinary creativity with diverse cuisines to create memorable dining experiences.

Cook resume objective example:

Aspiring cook with a strong foundation in culinary arts and a passion for experimenting with flavors. Eager to apply my culinary vision, adaptability and innovative cooking techniques to elevate dining experiences and surprise taste buds. Committed to pushing culinary boundaries and delivering delectable results in the dynamic world of gastronomy.

Step 3

Highlight your essential culinary skills

If your resume profile is the appetizer, then the skills section and the experience section are the main course. First, let’s examine how to write an effective skills section for a cook resume. To do this, you’ll need a balanced mix of both hard and soft skills that demonstrate your competence in the kitchen.

Beginning with hard skills, these are the abilities that you’ve gained through experience and training. Your hard skills are more technical and would include your knowledge of various cooking techniques and sanitization practices.

The second group is known as soft skills. Your soft skills are more subtle and harder to teach. They are the personality traits that allow you to excel in the kitchen. Passion, patience and adaptability are all soft skills that a cook needs to thrive.

Let’s check out some examples of both:

Key skills for a cook resume

Hard Skills

Food preparation and cooking
Menu planning and development
Ingredient selection and sourcing
Safe food handling
Kitchen sanitization

Soft Skills

Effective communication
Time management
Teamwork
Creativity
Resilience

Here’s an illustration of a persuasive cook skills section:

Proficient in preparing diverse cuisines with a focus on flavor and presentation.
Experienced in using advanced cooking techniques to create unique and mouthwatering dishes.
Strong knowledge of food safety practices and adherence to strict hygiene standards.
Excellent communication skills, fostering efficient kitchen teamwork and guest satisfaction.
Demonstrated ability to adapt swiftly in a dynamic and fast-paced kitchen environment.
Efficient in mentoring kitchen staff and maintaining high culinary standards.

Pro tip

Stay updated on the latest culinary trends and innovations. Your knowledge of popular fads, trends and emerging techniques will make you a stronger cook and demonstrate your commitment to the role.

Step 4

Describe your cook work history

Just like your skills section, the work experience section of your resume is vital to your resume. Your experience should demonstrate that you know how to apply your skills in real world situations.

Try to center your work experience around discussing specific responsibilities and accomplishments that show off your skills and your ability to produce exceptional results.

To show off your contributions, use action words in your resume. Words like “innovated,” “crafted” and “served” emphasize the energy and enthusiasm that you bring to the kitchen.

Example cook work history entry:

Cook, Marnie’s Lakeside Bistro
Tahoe, CA
March 2019 – December 2022

Created diverse and delicious fusion dishes, delivering exceptional dining experiences to patrons.
Led a dynamic kitchen team of 10, ensuring efficient operations and guest satisfaction.
Developed and executed unique daily specials that drove a 25% increase in customer visits.
Implemented innovative cooking techniques and ingredient sourcing, resulting in elevated culinary offerings and a 15% boost in revenue.
Mentored junior cooks, nurturing their talents and maintaining high culinary standards.

Pro tip

Illustrate your accomplishments with quantifiable metrics. Whether it’s increased customer visits, enhanced revenue or elevated culinary offerings, numbers convey the impact of your cooking leadership and commitment.

Step 5

Showcase your education

Begin with your highest level of education and write a concise education section. Make sure to emphasize any relevant culinary training, workshops or certifications alongside your academic degree.

How to present your culinary education and credentials:

EDUCATION

B.A. in Culinary Arts
Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified in French Cuisine, Le Cordon Bleu Institute
Advanced Pastry Chef Certification, American Culinary Federation
Sommelier Certification, Court of Master Sommeliers

Additional sections for your culinary resume

Languages

Dining is a universal pleasure that draws both guests and staff from around the world. The ability to speak multiple languages opens new doors to communication and demonstrates mental acuity.

How to list languages on your resume:

Fluent in English and Spanish
Proficient in Italian

Hobbies and interests

Featuring personal culinary projects or hobbies, especially those related to creative cooking, gastronomy, nutrition or food blogging, offers a more comprehensive view of your passion for the culinary world.

How to feature hobbies and interests on your resume:

Launched a food blog, exploring unique flavor combinations and attracting a dedicated following of food enthusiasts.
Organized and hosted cooking workshops, fostering a community of aspiring chefs and food lovers.

Community engagement and collaboration

Highlighting your involvement in community culinary projects, especially those related to culinary education or food events, showcases your dedication to fostering culinary creativity beyond your professional role.

How to showcase community engagement on your cook resume:

Collaborated with local schools to initiate culinary education programs, promoting culinary creativity among students and supporting their culinary development.
Participated in community food events, contributing to the local culinary scene and engaging with fellow chefs to promote culinary creativity.

Add a cover letter

Create your cover letter

A truly impressive resume isn’t complete without a cover letter. Your cover letter is the missing ingredient that allows you to explain your passion for the role and share more about who you are as a cook. If there are specific achievements that you’d like to draw extra attention to, your cover letter is the perfect space to do so. Use it to add context that might be missing from your resume as well.

For professional help writing a persuasive cover letter, explore our guide on how to write a cover letter and draw inspiration from our extensive library of cover letter examples.

For a cover letter that neatly matches with your resume and conveys your personal brand, try a cover letter template from our Cover Letter Builder.

Key takeaways for your cook resume

Personalize your resume for each opportunity

Tailor your resume to align with the specific requirements of each cooking position, emphasizing your skills in culinary innovation, effective kitchen management and collaboration with kitchen staff.
Highlight your culinary experience

Showcase your hands-on involvement in culinary projects, from menu planning to dish preparation, demonstrating your ability to excel in fast-paced and diverse culinary environments.
Emphasize your dedication to continuous learning

Highlight any advanced courses, certifications or workshops you’ve undertaken in the culinary field, underscoring your commitment to staying updated on the latest culinary trends and innovative cooking techniques.
Express your passion for cooking leadership

While your resume provides an overview of your skills, a well-crafted cover letter can convey your genuine passion for creating delectable dishes and the driving force behind your career choice. It adds a personal touch.
Highlight measurable achievements

If you’ve contributed to elevated customer satisfaction, introduced unique culinary creations or managed kitchen operations efficiently, emphasize these accomplishments with concrete metrics and results.
Showcase collaboration and kitchen leadership

In the culinary world, collaboration is essential. Highlight instances where you’ve seamlessly worked with kitchen teams, showcasing your ability to foster creativity within the kitchen for exceptional dining experiences.

Commonly asked questions about resume writing

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Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.