Chef Resume Examples: 25+ Writing Tips, Template & Skills

Need a chef resume? A sous chef resume?

You’re halfway there.

You know the four tastes (five?) and how they interact.

And—

You can do it all with speed and volume.

But can you convince the restaurant manager on one sheet of paper?

If you don’t, you’ll blend in like a lone egg in a slab quiche.

But don’t worry. We’ve got the recipe for a chef resume that gets jobs.

In this guide:

• A chef resume sample better than most.
• How to write a resume for chefs that gets attention.
• How to customize a chef job description for resumes.
• Why you can’t just list chef skills (and what to do instead).

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Not looking for a resume for chef jobs? Trying to do something else with food service? See our guides:

• Bar Manager Resume Sample & Guide
• Server Resume Sample & Guide
• Bartender Resume Sample & Guide
• Barista Resume Sample & Guide
• McDonald's Resume Sample & Guide
• Line Cook Resume Sample & Guide
• Hospitality Resume Sample & Guide
• Restaurant Resume Sample & Guide
• Starbucks Resume Sample & Guide

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Samples.

Chef Resume Sample You Can Copy and Use

Here’s how to write a chef resume restaurant managers will love:

1. Use the Correct Chef Resume Format

Presentation matters.

Garbled resume formatting can get your resume ignored.

So—follow the right recipe with your chef resume.

The best choice is the reverse-chronological resume. It combines all the right elements for success.

Chef Resume Format

• Put your freshest job up top.
• Write a 1-page resume. Set 1-inch margins.
• Fold in a little white space to make it look inviting.
• Pick a resume font like 10–12pt Georgia or Garamond.
• Write resume sections like Heading, Summary, Experience, Education, and Skills.
• Send a PDF resume. Those look appetizing on any screen.

Expert Hint: There are only 139,000 chef jobs in the US, and not all of them are good chef jobs. Your resume format is your first step toward landing one you want.

2. Write a Chef Resume Objective or Summary

You need an appetizer.

The first part of your chef resume needs to make them want more.

So—

Concoct a winning career objective or career summary.

It’s the menu for your resume for chef jobs.

Add:

1. An adjective (creative, efficient)
2. “chef”
3. Years of experience (3+, 4+)
4. Where & what you’ll do (produce creative cuisine at The Respectable Ocelot)
5. Best chef moments (170% more business...)
6. Job skills (kitchen management, menu design...)

Your summary belongs at the top, but—

Write it last for best results.

See these executive chef resume examples:

Chef Resume Summary—Example

Oops.

The second of those chef resume samples says, “I’ve got the skills.”

But the first shows you managed a kitchen staff of 11, got 170% more business, and cut food waste 70%.

Those details matter to restaurant managers.

Now—

What should you do in an entry-level resume for chefs?

Same same, with whatever job you have.

See this sous chef resume sample:

Sous Chef Resume Objective

Mystery meat anyone?

The second of those sous chef resume examples says you’re good at menu design and working busy shifts. The first shows you’ve done it.

Expert Hint: The average chef salary is only $34,559. To get into a higher paying chef job, grab the restaurant manager with the best resume summary you can write.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

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3. Whip Up a Great Chef Job Description and Skills Section

What chef skills go down well?

Here’s a list of the best:

Chef Resume Skills List

But:

Don’t blend them all into your resume. Target your resume instead.

To write a top chef job description for your resume:

1. Select the skills to put on a resume from the ad online.
2. Put them in a resume keywords list.
3. Show you used those skills to help your restaurant.

See these chef resume samples:

Say the job needs these chef skills: kitchen management, menu design, training, farm-to-table.

Chef Job Description for a Resume [Sample]

Delectable.

The first of those chef resume examples hits the spot with kitchen management, menu redesign, and other skills the job ad mentioned.

Now a resume for entry-level jobs.

The job wants these chef skills: entree design, food prep, vendor management.

See these sous chef resume examples:

Sous Chef Resume Job Description [Sample]

Yuck.

The second sous chef resume example lacks flavor. It ignores entree design, food prep, and vendor management.

Expert Hint: Only 1.1% of chefs have a master’s degree. Most have no college degree at all. Don’t worry if your resume education section is light, but see below to spice it up.

4. Delight Them with Your Education Section

The good news?

For chefs, any education works.

But—

The education section of your resume for chef positions needs skills proof.

See this pastry chef resume sample:

Chef Resume Example—Education

On point.

That education section tells them you can handle it.

5. Perfect Your Chef Resume with “Other” Sections

Oh-oh.

A resume with just experience and education is half-baked.

Tempt them with a few added resume sections.

Add a couple of these:

• Associations (ACF, National Barbecue & Grilling Association)
• Conferences (BBQ, Seafood Expo)
• Media mentions
• Publications
• Certifications (ServSafe, Master Chef)
• Foreign languages
• Groups
• Volunteer work
• Freelance work
• Additional activities
• Fitness

See these sample chef resume examples:

Chef Resume—Extra Sections

Delicious.

The first of those executive chef resume examples has flavor. Sprinkle in details like that and you’re set.

Expert Hint: Do you know how to write a cover letter for your resume for chef jobs? Get to know a bit about the restaurant first so you can show why you’re passionate about this chef job.

Haven't written your cover letter yet? See:

• Restaurant Manager Cover Letter Examples
• Server Cover Letter Examples

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

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Key Points

Here’s how to write a chef resume:

• Use the chef resume template up top. It folds in all the right ingredients to get you hired.
• List chef skills, but show they helped restaurants you’ve worked for.
• Write a head cook resume summary up top. Put your best chef moments in it to get mouths watering.
• Include “extra” resume sections like certifications or additional activities.

Got questions on how to write great resumes for chef jobs? Not sure how to put chef on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!