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How to Write a Kitchen Staff Resume

Your kitchen staff resume’s format is as important as how you write your resume. This sample resume demonstrates the best resume layout

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  • Professional header and contact info

    • Include your name, contact information and a professional email address.
  • Compelling summary statement

    • A brief resume summary or objective highlighting two or three culinary-relevant skills, experience or accomplishments.
  • Highlight your skills

    • Create a dedicated section to showcase hard and soft skills specific to culinary work, like knife skills, recipe reading and plating and presentation.
  • Emphasize your work history

    • List your work experience in reverse-chronological order. Include job titles, company names, dates of employment and key responsibilities and achievements for each role in a bullet list.
  • Supporting education section

    • Detail your educational background, mentioning any relevant degrees, diplomas or certifications obtained.
  • Additional sections

    • You can add resume sections for licenses, certifications, industry memberships or unions, awards, volunteer experience or spoken languages.

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How to Write a Kitchen Staff Resume Summary

The resume summary is your chance to make a solid first impression on potential employers. It’s a concise statement that highlights your relevant skills, experience and qualifications. Here are some essential tips to write an effective kitchen staff resume summary:

Keep it concise

Aim for a two to three sentences long summary, capturing the essence of your professional background.

Highlight your expertise

Emphasize your culinary skills, knowledge of various kitchen equipment, and experience in fast-paced environments.

Tailor it to the job

Customize your summary to align with the specific requirements of the kitchen staff position you’re applying for.

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Good kitchen staff resume example

“Dedicated kitchen staff member with five years of experience in high-volume restaurant settings. Proficient in food preparation, cooking techniques, and kitchen organization. Skilled in working collaboratively with diverse teams to deliver exceptional culinary experiences. Seeking to leverage my expertise in a dynamic kitchen environment.”

The well-written example highlights the candidate’s extensive experience and proficiency in crucial kitchen tasks. It also showcases their ability to work well with others, which is critical to a collaborative kitchen setting. The concise summary conveys the candidate’s qualifications and eagerness to contribute to a dynamic kitchen team.

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Poor kitchen staff resume example

“Hardworking kitchen staff seeking job opportunities. Skilled in cooking and cleaning. Looking for a kitchen job.”

The poorly-written example must include specific details and showcase notable skills or experience. It must be more precise, providing minimal information about the candidate’s qualifications. The summary does not capture the attention of potential employers or differentiate the candidate from other applicants.

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PRO TIP:

The resume summary works best if you have over three years of experience. Try the resume objective if you’re a first-time job seeker, freelancer or career changer. This alternative introduction pitches your transferable skills and downplays your lack of directly-relevant experience.

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How to Add Your Kitchen Staff Work History

The work history section of your kitchen staff resume is vital for potential employers to assess your relevant experience and gauge your suitability for the role. Here are some guidelines to craft an impactful kitchen staff work history resume section:

Start with the most recent experience

Begin with your most recent kitchen-related job and work backward. Include the job title, the establishment’s name, and the employment dates.

Emphasize key responsibilities

Detail your primary responsibilities and duties in each position. Highlight your proficiency in food preparation, cooking techniques, kitchen organization, inventory management, and adherence to health and safety regulations.

Quantify achievements

Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments to provide concrete evidence of your contributions. For example, mention the number of meals prepared per shift, the size of the kitchen team you managed, or any awards or recognition received.

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Good kitchen staff work history sample

Line Cook | ABC Restaurant | January 2018 – Present

  • Prepare and cook various dishes, ensuring high-quality and consistent taste for 300 customers daily.
  • Collaborate with a team of 10 kitchen staff members, ensuring efficient operations and smooth workflow during peak hours.
  • Received “Employee of the Month” award twice for exceptional performance and dedication to maintaining a clean and organized kitchen.

This example demonstrates a strong work history section by clearly stating the job title, employer and dates of employment. The bullet points highlight the candidate’s skills in food preparation, teamwork and ability to handle a high volume of customers. The quantified achievements add credibility and showcase the candidate’s dedication and recognition within the organization.

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Poor kitchen staff work history sample

Line Cook | XYZ Restaurant | 2015-2019

  • Prepared food and cooked meals.
  • Assisted with kitchen tasks.

This job seeker should be more specific — the bullet points are too general and do not highlight relevant skills or accomplishments. This job seeker can improve their kitchen staff resume with descriptions of the food prepared, number of kitchen staff, or designated tasks like meat prep or pastry-work. lWith clear information, potential employers can assess the candidate’s expertise and understand their contributions in previous roles.

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How to Write a Kitchen Staff Education Section

While experience and skills are crucial for a kitchen staff resume, the education section allows you to showcase any relevant formal training, certifications or degrees you have obtained. Here’s how to effectively present your education in a kitchen staff resume:

1List your educational achievements

Start with your highest level of education and work your way down. Include the name of the institution, the degree or certification earned and the dates of attendance or completion.

Education formatting example:

Culinary Arts Diploma | XYZ Culinary School | 2020-2021

2Highlight relevant culinary training

If you have attended any culinary schools, training programs or workshops, mention them. Focus on programs that have equipped you with valuable culinary techniques, menu planning, food safety or specialized skills.

Training formatting example:

  • Acquired in-depth knowledge of food safety principles, including proper handling, storage and preparation of ingredients.
  • Demonstrated mastery of sanitation practices to ensure compliance with health regulations and minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses.

3Include certifications

If you hold any certifications relevant to the kitchen staff position you’re applying for, such as ServSafe Food Handler Certification or Culinary Arts Certification, mention them. Certifications demonstrate your commitment to quality and adherence to industry standards.

Certifications formatting example:

Food Safety and Sanitation Certification | National Restaurant Association | 2019

  • Acquired in-depth knowledge of food safety principles, including proper handling, storage, and preparation of ingredients.
  • Demonstrated mastery of sanitation practices to ensure compliance with health regulations and minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses.
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PRO TIP:

Tailor your education section with relevant education and training that directly align with the skills and requirements of the factory worker position you are applying for.

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15 Skills For Your Kitchen Staff Resume

The skills section of your kitchen staff resume is an opportunity to highlight your abilities and demonstrate your suitability for the role. Here’s a breakdown of essential soft skills, hard skills and technical skills specific to kitchen staff responsibilities:

soft skills

Soft skills

  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Adaptability
  • Time Management
  • Attention to Detail
hard skills

Hard skills

  • Food Preparation
  • Cooking Techniques
  • Menu Knowledge
  • Kitchen Equipment Operation
  • Food Safety
technical-skills

Technical skills

  • Knife Skills
  • Recipe Reading
  • Plating and Presentation
  • Inventory Management
  • Menu Planning Software
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PRO TIP:

This resume skills article covers additional intersocial and developed skills to help potential employers compose a comprehensive understanding of your capabilities as a kitchen staff member.

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20 Kitchen Staff Action Verbs

Using action verbs in your kitchen staff resume helps to convey your active involvement and impact in previous roles. These power words demonstrate your ability to contribute to a fast-paced kitchen environment and showcase your dedication to delivering exceptional culinary experiences.

  • Assist
  • Clean
  • Collaborate
  • Cook
  • Coordinate
  • Create
  • Cut
  • Follow
  • Handle
  • Maintain
  • Monitor
  • Organize
  • Prepare
  • Prioritize
  • Promote
  • Serve
  • Stock
  • Support
  • Taste
  • Work

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Additional Resume Sections

Consider adding the following sections to your kitchen staff resume based on your specific circumstances and to enhance your qualifications:

  • Certification: Include a separate section to showcase relevant credentials, such as ServSafe Food Handler Certification, Food Safety and Sanitation Certification or Culinary Arts Certification.
  • Professional Development: Use a professional development section featuring workshops, seminars or culinary programs to replace or supplement your education section.
  • Awards and Achievements: If you have received recognition or awards for your performance, productivity, or safety record, include a section to showcase these accomplishments.
  • Volunteer Experience: Replace your work history section with a volunteer section if you have less than three years of experience. Use this space to demonstrate relevant skills or attributes, such as food preparation, cooking techniques or menu knowledge.
  • Language Proficiency: Since culinary work can include a diverse range of employees, advertise your fluency in other languages as a workplace boon!
  • Memberships: Let hiring managers know about your membership to industry-specific organizations or unions.

Use a Cover Letter to Express Yourself

A resume is a concise overview of your skills and experience — a cover letter expands on this foundation. Add a cover letter to share one or two examples of how you excelled in similar roles or how your skills match a company’s needs. Use this sample as a guide or visit our helpful resources to boost your application.

Kitchen Staff Resume FAQ

How should I format a kitchen staff resume?

When formatting a kitchen staff resume, use a clean and professional layout. Include contact information, summary, work history, education and skills. Use bullet points to highlight your responsibilities and achievements. Keep it concise and easy to read, ensuring relevant information stands out.

What information should I include in the work history section?

In the work history section of a kitchen staff resume, include:

  • The job title.
  • Name of the establishment.
  • Dates of employment.
  • Your primary responsibilities and achievements.
 

Emphasize kitchen-related tasks such as food preparation, cooking techniques, teamwork and any awards or recognition received.

Should I include customer service experience on a kitchen staff resume?

It can be valuable to include if you have customer service experience relevant to the kitchen staff position you're applying for. Highlight transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving, and customer satisfaction. Tailor your customer service experience to showcase how it can benefit your role as a kitchen staff member.

How can I make my kitchen staff resume stand out?

To make your kitchen staff resume stand out:

  • Tailor it to the job requirements.
  • Highlight your relevant skills, experiences and certifications.
  • Use action verbs to demonstrate your active involvement and achievements.
  • Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible.
  • Include any specialized training or culinary achievements that set you apart from other candidates.