How to Write a Culinary Resume? [+Examples & Tips]

A chef is known to be a demanding profession. Hell’s Kitchen, a famous cooking show starring celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, shows us how competitive chefs can be. With that being said, what are the main duties and responsibilities of a chef?

• Ensures that all dishes are cooked and prepared in a timely manner
• Presents cooked dish in an aesthetically pleasing way 
• Monitors kitchen supplies and other kitchen staff 
• Makes sure that cooking equipment, such as knives, pans, and food scales, are placed in the kitchen 
• Assists the restaurant in deciding how much food and supplies are required
• Trains new culinary crew members
• Studies new and current recipe and obtains all of the required ingredients

Unbeknownst to the majority of the people, there is a significant difference between a cook and a chef. Chefs generally receive education from a culinary school and subsequently receive further training from a notable chef.

On the other hand, cooks are individuals who prepare and cook food on a daily basis and can still be at a learning stage of their careers.  

In the competitive culinary industry, restaurant managers have to read many job applications in a day, while not spending more than 6 seconds reviewing each application.

Hence, having a well-written culinary resume is important. 

In this article, we will discuss using the correct resume format for a professional culinary resume, key sections to include on a culinary resume, as well as providing several tips and a template for a culinary resume.

1. Chronological resume format

It is the most frequently used resume format, which organizes work experience in reverse chronological order.

2. Functional resume format 

A functional resume format organizes work experience along with different skills. It is preferred by candidates with several career gaps or career changes. 

3. Combinational resume format 

It’s a combination of chronological and functional formats, usually suitable for candidates with diverse work experience. 

After completing building your culinary resume, choose the correct document format before submission.

1. PDF format 

Although a PDF format is preferable since it preserves the structure of your culinary resume, some ATS software may have difficulty reading PDF resumes.

2. Word format 

A word format is ATS-friendly. However, your culinary resume formatting can be messed up. It is generally not recommended to use word format unless it’s required.  

✅ Advice 1. Use a functional resume format.

If you are writing a culinary resume with no experience or a culinary resume for students, you can use a functional resume format to highlight your transferable skills. 

✅ Advice 2. Write a career objective statement.

Including a career objective on your culinary resume helps demonstrate to the hiring manager your goals for the profession.

✅ Advice 3. Highlight your educational qualifications. 

If you lack experience in the culinary industry, consider showcasing skills and knowledge you gained from schools.

1. Resume Profile

Begin with your name and contact information and include your name, phone number, email address, and your current location on your culinary resume. 

2. Culinary Resume Headline

A headline is a brief line that summarizes your resume. 

3. Culinary Resume Summary

A resume summary is a one or two-sentence outline that describes your relevant work experience and skills.

4. Culinary Resume Objective

A resume objective states your professional aim in 2-3 lines on top of the resume. A good objective for a culinary resume highlights your career goals, personality traits, and experience.  

5. Skills for a Culinary Resume 

Skills is a simple section where you showcase both hard and soft skills to your potential employers. Skills needed for a culinary resume include creativity, culinary expertise, and business knowledge. 

6. Experience 

7. Education 

Qualifications for chefs are different from those offered by regular universities. Chefs receive training from a vocational school that specializes in culinary arts.

8. Additional Information 

Certifications are useful in demonstrating to employers that you are knowledgeable in your field. Popular chef certificates include Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA), Food Safety Manager Certification, and Certified Master Chef (CMC).

⭐️ 1. Tailor the resume to the job description.

Pay attention to the job description and tailor your culinary resume in accordance with the job description. 

⭐️ 2. Make it concise and relevant to the job.

Include only relevant skills and experience that is aligned to the job you are applying for. 

⭐️ 3. Refer to online resume examples.

If you don’t know where to start, it’s always good to refer to other examples of culinary resumes online. 

⭐️ 4. Keep the formatting (styles, colors, font, and etc.) consistent.

The formatting details, such as styles, colors, font, and margins, are important for your culinary resume building. Keeping these formatting details consistent can help your culinary resume stand out. 

⭐️ 5. Emphasize your diverse culinary experience.

Food trends are frequently updated and changing, so it's critical to stay on top of them to boost your chances of being recognized by hiring managers. Emphasize your diverse culinary skills and experience by showing that you can prepare a wide range of meals.

🖋 Should I use a culinary resume template?

🖋 What is the best culinary resume template? 

#1. For inexperienced individuals or those looking for their first job:

The recommended culinary resume templates for inexperienced individuals or freshers are templates with a functional resume format. It will highlight your transferable skills and qualifications.

#2. For experienced/senior individuals:

The recommended culinary resume template for experienced (senior) job seekers is hybrid format templates since it emphasizes your strong job experience and personal accomplishments. 

🖋 Can I get a culinary resume template for free? 

The short answer is yes! Here are some resources you can use: 

• Cake: Cake offers a variety of resume templates which you can use to customize your culinary resume.  
• Word Doc: Microsoft Word has a variety of built-in templates you can freely choose from.