How to Sharpen Your Chef CV (Guide & Examples)

Just as chefs sharpen their knives, you need to hone your CV to showcase your achievements and career aspirations. Your CV is a ticket to your dream job. Yet, it could be challenging at first, especially when you don’t know where to start. Despite the demanding nature of the job, with long working hours and a fast-paced work environment, it is a great fit if you're a team player and have a passion for cooking. A good CV should reflect your creativity and ability to work under pressure, whether you want to work in a restaurant, catering, or culinary school.

This writing guide covers everything you need, whether you're a Commis Chef or Head Chef, we show you what sections to include and what information to list. Our step-by-step process and chef CV template give insight into the UK job market, providing the latest industry examples and tips to help you create an outstanding CV reflecting your skills and experience. So, whether you're a seasoned professional or a student just starting your culinary career, let's dive in and create a professional CV to help you land your desired job.

Explore our diverse range of professional CV templates to help you succeed in your career.

Chef CV example

Download this chef CV sample in PDF

Meet Christopher Stanley, a Sous Chef with a proven track record of leading teams and a goal of progressing to Head Chef. With measurable achievements such as reducing kitchen expenses by £5,000 per month and expertise in training and onboarding new staff and food safety protocols, Christopher showcases relevant hard skills. His education and accredited certifications further demonstrate his competence and qualifications, making him an ideal candidate. He has opted for a modern CV template.

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What to include in a chef CV?

While a CV for a chef follows the same foundation as other CVs, it requires specific writing strategies and information tailored to the culinary industry. After following the necessary steps of preparation, writing, editing, and proofreading, you're ready to make a great impression on potential employers. Ensure you clearly and effectively communicate your strengths and skills using a simple, section-by-section approach.

Ensure to include must-have sections, providing a comprehensive overview of your relevant expertise, experience, and career accomplishments:

• Personal details

• Personal profile

• Work experience

• Skills

• Education.

As for the optional sections, they can include the following:

• Additional experience (e.g volunteering, apprenticeships)

• Languages

• Hobbies and interests

• Courses and certificates

• References

For more information on how to tailor your CV for a job description, see the article about the difference between the job-specific vs master CV.

For more information check out our ATS-friendly CV.

How to write a personal profile on a chef CV 

The personal profile section is a summary at the top of your CV highlighting your relevant experience, soft skills, and qualifications aligning with your target job. As recruiters or hiring managers often see this section first, it's crucial to devote sufficient time to crafting it. Your personal profile should be easily scannable and well-crafted to make a lasting impression.

Discover similar personal profile examples in the following CV writing guides:

• Kitchen Porter

• Baker

• Waiter/waitress

• Bartender.

Refer to how to write a CV personal profile for more information.

What skills to put on a chef CV

There are three main categories of skills to consider when crafting your CV: hard skills, soft skills, and transferable skills.

• Hard skills are measurable abilities you can gain through a course, training, or on-the-job experience.

• Soft skills come naturally and can be developed further through daily life experiences.

• Transferable skills fall somewhere in between and can be useful to highlight if you want to showcase related or similar skills to a potential employer.

To showcase your hard and transferable skills, we recommend creating a separate 'Skills' section and listing them there. As for soft skills, it's best to include them in a personal profile section. For more information, refer to our guide on how to list skills to craft an outstanding CV.

Examples of soft skills:

• Attention to detail

• Communication

• Creative thinking

• Leadership

• Time management

• Problem-solving

• Teamwork

• Collaboration

• Empathy.

Examples of hard skills:

• Kitchen management and operations

• Culinary techniques and cooking methods

• Food preparation and handling

• Menu development or recipe creation

• Knowledge of cooking equipment and tools

• Food safety knowledge

• Sanitation practices

• Plating and presentation

• Business and financial management.

Refer to the restaurant manager CV for more inspiration on what skills to showcase on your CV.

How to write work experience on a chef CV 

For this type of role, work experience is the core section of your CV. It’s essential to clearly state what you did and what you achieved, whether you’re Sous Chef or Chef de Partie. We recommend following the reverse chronological order, listing the most recent jobs first. You can also include if you have gained short-term experience or completed an internship.

Head Chef | Rustic Bistro, London, UK | 2024 - Present

Oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, including menu planning, food preparation, and quality control. Lead and motivate a team of chefs and kitchen staff to ensure smooth service and consistency in food quality. Collaborate with management to develop seasonal menus and special promotions to attract and retain customers.

• Led the development of a new menu resulting in a 20% increase in restaurant revenue within four months.

• Mentored and trained a team of six junior Chefs, achieving a 35% increase in their KPIs within three months.

• Implemented effective kitchen safety protocols, resulting in a 75% reduction in accidents.

Sous Chef | Coastal Grill, Brighton, UK | 2021 - 2023

Assist the Head Chef in menu development, food preparation, and kitchen management. Supervise and train kitchen staff, ensuring compliance with recipes, portion control, and quality standards. Coordinate with front-of-house staff to ensure efficient service and timely delivery of dishes to customers.

• Conceptualised and introduced a new dessert menu, resulting in a 30% increase in dessert sales and outstanding customer reviews.

• Coordinated and led a team of 10 Chefs to deliver top-rated dishes for a corporate event with 500+ guests.

• Implemented rigorous quality control measures, resulting in consistently high ratings on customer satisfaction surveys.

How to list education on a chef CV 

Although a specific qualification or training is not always required, most chefs acquire their skills and knowledge through hands-on experience in kitchens. However, those who aspire to grow in their role may pursue a culinary degree or participate in an apprenticeship program further to develop their skills and advance in their careers. Additionally, completing specialised training or certification programs in food safety or nutrition can enhance your qualifications and make them more competitive in the job market.

• Institution/school name

• Degree type

• Location

• Date range, year of graduation, or in progress

Structure: [Degree] in [program name] [institution/school name], [Location], [date range, year of graduation, or in progress]

Examples of education for a chef CV:

• Diploma in Culinary Arts, Westminster Kingsway College, London, UK, 2023-In progress

• Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts Management, University of West London, London, UK, 2017

How to list courses and certificates on a chef CV

To continuously improve your culinary skills, you may want to consider enrolling in courses or obtaining certificates. These can provide you with additional knowledge and expertise in different areas of the culinary arts. Besides, it is also a good practice to keep a record of these certifications in a separate document and have them ready for job interviews. Moreover, including relevant language skills, hobbies, or interests in your CV can showcase your passion and dedication to the field of culinary arts.

• Level 2 Food Safety in Catering, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), 2018

• Level 3 NVQ in Professional Cookery, City and Guilds, 2019

• Level 3 Supervising Food Safety in Catering, CIEH, 2019

• NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery, Birmingham Metropolitan College, Birmingham, UK, 2015-2016.

See our related blog article on how to list courses and certificates on a CV for more examples and tips.

How to write a chef CV with no experience?

If you are a graduate or have little to no work experience, change the focus of your CV to education by using a skills-based CV format. Alternatively, consider creating an additional experience section with part-time or voluntary work experience where you can explain the role, company/organisation, and date with months excluded. A strategic CV aims to help you land more interviews where you can elaborate within the job interview itself. 

Example of no work experience for a chef CV:

Kitchen Assistant | Krishna Villas, Manchester, UK | 2023 - Present

Assist kitchen staff in food preparation, including chopping vegetables, preparing sauces, and assembling ingredients for dishes. Maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen area, including washing dishes, sanitizing surfaces, and organizing storage areas. Support chefs during service by ensuring timely delivery of prepared ingredients and assisting in plating dishes.

• Implemented a new inventory tracking system, resulting in a 15% decrease in food waste and improved efficiency in ingredient management.

• Received an award from senior chefs for adhering to hygiene standards, leading to a 90% score in health and safety inspections.

• Assisted in the preparation of signature dishes during peak hours, leading to a 25% increase in customer satisfaction scores.

For more information, check out our blog article on how to write a CV with no experience.

Key takeaways

Securing a job can be challenging but achievable with the right strategy and mindset. From identifying your writing strengths and weaknesses to presenting your career history briefly and concisely, you can stand out from other candidates and build confidence over time. Our CV examples and writing tips can guide you through the process.

Remember, the job search process is complex, and setbacks are common. However, staying focused and persistent while gradually improving your skills and tailoring your CV to each job post can make the process easier. We encourage you to keep honing your writing and editing skills through continued practice and effort, which can benefit your next job search and career development.

• Your CV should be concise and persuasive, making it easy to read, coherent, and ATS-friendly.

• Personalise your CV and accompany it with a cover letter.

• Use professional language while incorporating relevant keywords and sections to customise your job-specific CV.

• Avoid using personal pronouns such as ‘I’, ‘me’, or ‘us’.

• Ensure you include the specific requirements of your target job by tailoring it accordingly.

• Keep your CV up-to-date and include only relevant information.

• Regularly review and update your CV to ensure it always showcases your skills and experience in the best light.

Next steps?

• If you already have a CV but need help proofreading or polishing inconsistencies, contact our professional writers using a CV Writing Service who are dedicated to helping you succeed in your career journey.

• Check out our cover letter templates to help you streamline your application.

• Check our collection of blog articles to help you nail your next job interview.

• Stay creative and motivated throughout the process of mastering your CV writing skills. We wish you the best of luck in your job search!

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FAQ

How to get a job as a chef in the UK?

All in all, becoming a Chef requires hard work and dedication. Note that a degree in culinary arts is not a direct path to achieve this role. While it is true it can help you land a job as a line cook or prep cook, in reality,  you need more than that. Your passion and the right skills can help you advance your career and become the best version of yourself. If you desire to work in a restaurant with Michelin stars, you must have an outstanding profile with exceptional experience and achievements.

See our guide with best practices on how to search and track jobs for more details!

How to format a chef CV?

To format your CV, you must ensure it's well-organised, easy to read, and visually appealing. Start by choosing a template that matches your target job and reflects your personality. Opt for an appropriate font style and size while keeping it legible and professional-looking.

To break up the sections, use bullet points to highlight your skills, experience, achievements, and headings. Be consistent with your formatting, and make sure the applied layout is consistent throughout the document.

Check out our related blog article on how to choose the best font and the best colour for your CV for more information.

How long should your chef CV be?

Your CV should ideally be no longer than two pages or, ideally, one page long. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

Explore our related article on how long should a CV be for more examples and tips.

What is the best CV template for a chef CV?

Although you might want to opt for a colourful and visually-heavy CV, we recommend keeping it simple, clean, and professionally designed. Moreover, it needs to follow a reverse chronological format, with the most recent jobs at first. A graphically heavy template may distract recruiters or hiring managers from essential information, making it harder to see the relevant sections. Choose a template that is easy to customise while allowing you to effectively showcase your skills and experience briefly.

How do I write a CV for a cooking job?

Start by tailoring your CV to a specific job you're applying for. It should highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job, using keywords and phrases that match the job description. Take a step back and think about the type of role you're interested in. Answering these questions will help you tailor your CV to the job you're applying for and increase your chances of success.

Once you have clear career goals, it's time to create a master CV and a job-specific CV.