Line Cook Resume Example with Job Description & Skills

So many applicants are fighting for that line cook job. And the head chef has a smorgasbord of resumes to pick from. You have to look like Gruyere fritters with chili and lime on a table full of Spam.

You can do this. You’ve got the skills. Pick the right achievements for your line cook resume, and you’ll be plying that Damascus Steel in no time.

In this guide:

• A line cook resume example better than most.
• How to write a tantalizing line cook resume.
• How to make a line cook job description for resumes that gets interviews.
• Why you can’t just list line cook skills on a resume (and what to do instead).

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Looking for some other kind of food-service resume? See our guides:

• Bar Manager Resume Sample
• Chef Resume Sample
• Food Service Resume Sample
• McDonald's Resume Sample
• Barista Resume Sample
• Bartender Resume Sample
• Fine Dining Server Resume Sample
• Restaurant (General) Resume Sample
• Restaurant Manager Resume Sample
• Server Resume Sample
• Dishwasher Resume Sample
• Bartender Resume Sample
• Starbucks Resume Sample

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our professional resume examples.

Line Cook Resume Sample

Let's start with a a perfect resume for a line cook:

Here’s how to write a line cook resume that satisfies:

1. Use the Best Line Cook Resume Format

Presentation and plating can make or break a meal. It’s the same with resume formatting. The reverse-chronological format for a resume is the most respected. Complete it with these tips:

Line Cook Resume Format

• Make a 1-inch resume margin all around the page.
• Pick a pleasing resume font like 11–14pt Trebuchet or Verdana.
• Write resume sections for Heading, Summary, Experience, Education, and Skills.
• Leave white space so the chef de cuisine won’t have to squint.
• Make your resume length 1–2 pages depending on your work history.
• Save your resume as a PDF. Those suit every type of screen.

Expert Hint: The ToastRestaurant Technology Industry Report shows 95% of restaurant owners say technology improves business efficiency. Check the job posting for job requirements in tech or computers. If you find them, show past tech achievements in your line cook resume.

2. Make a Line Cook Resume Objective or Summary

You’d never serve unappetizing food. Your line cook resume should be love at first bite too. Start your resume for line cook jobs with a tasty resume summary or resume objective.

Include:

1. An adjective (dependable, efficient)
2. “line cook”
3. Years of experience (1+, 6+)
4. Who & how you’ll help (wow customers at Leedio)
5. Some resume achievements—your best line cook moments (promoted to head line cook in 6 months...)

Write it last so you’ll have all the right ingredients. See these line cook resume examples:

Line Cook Resume Example: Summary

Dependable line cook with 7+ years of experience creating memorable meals in a fast-paced environment. Seeking to wow customers at Leedio. At The Candied Dragon, promoted to head line cook in 6 months for teamwork, efficiency, and consistency.

Experienced line cook, skilled in creating sauces, grilling meats and vegetables, and prepping ingredients for use by head chef. Can start tomorrow. A hard worker who excels at working with all types of kitchen and restaurant staff.

The second of those line cook resume samples says you’ll wow customers. The first gives a taste you’ve done it.

Maybe your restaurant career is still a little undercooked? See this entry-level resume for line cooks:

Entry-Level Line Cook Resume Objective

Hard-working line cook, skilled in Greek and French food preparation. Seeking to create a memorable experience for customers at The Candied Dragon. As dishwasher and host at The Sotted Gorgon Restaurant, assisted with prepping vegetables and sauces during busy times. Awarded busy weekend shifts for strong work ethic.

Entry-level line cook, skilled in prepping and cooking entrees and side dishes. Have worked as dishwasher but no real line cook jobs yet. I’m ready to start and I work hard. Expert at creating sauces and side dishes.

The second of those entry-level line cook resume examples says, “Expert at creating sauces.” But she’s a dishwasher. The first shows real line-cook achievements.

Expert Hint: According to the National Restaurant Association, 80% of restaurant owners started in entry-level jobs. That means you’ve got a sympathetic ear. To get the job, show you’re a go-getter with specific food-service achievements.

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. Target Your Line Cook Resume Description and Skills Section

What line cook skills belong on resumes? See this list:

Line Cook Resume Skills

• Ability to work under pressure
• Active listening
• Attention to detail
• Cleaning & hygiene
• Collaboration skills
• Food preparation
• Food safety
• Interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of kitchen equipment
• Knife skills
• Multitasking
• Physical fitness
• Time management
• Verbal communication

A line cook job is like a restaurant guest. Each one wants something different.

Find out what skills to put on a resume by looking in the job ad. Those are the best resume keywords to use. Customize your resume with them. See these sample resume job descriptions for a line cook:

The restaurant wants a line cook who can prep veggies and is efficient and consistent. Oh and food-waste reduction is a plus!

Line Cook Job Description for a Resume [Sample]

Experience

Line Cook

The Candied Dragon, Los Angeles, CA 

2016–2019

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

• Prepped veggies, sauces, and meats in a 40-seat restaurant with several multi-ethnic specials daily. Specialized in beef and seafood.
• Awarded busy weekend night shifts by head chef for consistent efficiency, attention to detail, teamwork, and positive attitude.
• Promoted to head line cook after 6 months for consistent high-quality work even in busy times. Frequently pitched in to help bussers.
• Worked with local farmers to create food-waste reclamation and reimbursement effort. Recouped $1,000 a month in food waste.

The second of those line cook resume examples is common. Be like example #1 and you’ll stand out like Gordon Ramsay at McDonald’s.

Are you just thawing out your line cook career? A resume with no experience can still knock ‘em flat. See these line cook resume examples with no experience:

The job wants food prep and plating, a strong work ethic, and teamwork skills.

Entry-Level Line Cook Resume Job Description [Sample]

Dishwasher & Host

The Sotted Gorgon, Los Angeles, CA

2014–2016

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

• Bussed and washed dishes from all tables promptly.
• Greeted customers in a friendly and efficient manner.
• Showed up on time and worked hard through busy shifts.

Expert Hint: Harvard research shows a 1-star boost to a restaurant’s Yelp reviews can jack up profits by 9%. If you’ve helped raise online reviews, that’s a great perk for your line cook resume.

4. Sweeten Your Education Section

Some line cook jobs need cooking school degrees. Some don’t. Either way, no part of your resume for line cook jobs should be bland. Even the education section of your resume needs to convince them you can handle grills and ovens.

This line cook resume sample shows how:

Line Cook Resume Example—Education

Education

AA Culinary Arts

Los Angeles Trade-Tech, Los Angeles, CA

2012–2014

• Excelled in hot & cold sauce preparation.
• Pursued a passion for farm-to-table cooking.

Not one of those “cooking school” line cooks? You can find standout achievements in your high school education that show teamwork and work ethic.

5. Add “Other” Sections to Your Line Cook Resume

You’re almost there. Let’s make your resume for line cook jobs shine like Mario Batali. Certifications, foreign languages, and other bits of flavor can impress the restaurant manager. As your resume extra sections you can add:

• Certifications (ServSafe, First Aid, etc.)
• Volunteering
• Awards
• Languages
• Additional activities
• Personal interests

See these line cook resume examples:

Line Cook Resume—Other Sections

Certifications

2018 ServSafe - NRA

2017 First Aid & CPR - American Red Cross

Additional Activities 

• Volunteer 2x per month to cook chowder at Vine Valley Shelter.
• Mentor 15 line cooks in food preparation best practices.

That first line cook resume sample is mouthwatering. It shows a cook who cares about her job.

Expert Hint: Write a cover letter for your resume for line cook jobs. Make it fit the menu by talking about what the restaurant wants, then showing you’ve got that in stock.

Haven't written your cover letter yet? See:

• Cook Cover Letter Examples
• 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 line cook resume:

• Start with our line cook resume template. Add achievements from your cooking career.
• List line cook skills like styles of cooking or food safety, with numbers to prove you’re up there with Ina Garten.
• Write a line cook resume summary up top. Use it to showcase your biggest crowd-pleasers.
• Add “bonus” resume sections to prove you know a barding from beurre blanc.

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

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