Chef Resume Example

Whip up a delicious resume with little prep and no mess!

Katerina Frye
Written by Katerina Frye • Last updated on Aug 10, 2020
Chef Resume Example
Finish this resume example
in less than 10 minutes.
Chef
Complete your resume in a few minutes by customizing this example

Our resumes have been proven to work.

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

Chefs

Chefs prepare menus and oversee kitchen staff as they make the dishes. Chefs also create new recipes, keep track of inventory, and ensure all staff are in line. 

How to Write a Summary for a Chef

  1. Mention your previous experience. Were you an apprentice in a culinary program? What restaurants have you worked for? Did you start off as a busboy or waiter?
  2. Describe your greatest strength. Are you efficient and punctual at fulfilling orders? Do you love creating new dishes?
  3. Explain what you’re eager to accomplish in the next stage of your career. Are you looking to specialize in a certain cuisine? What kind of restaurant or setting are you looking to work for?

How to List Your Work Experience as a Chef

  1. Use reverse chronological format. List your most recent jobs first, as this shows managers how you’ve gained experience in the industry. 
  2. Use action verbs related to being a Chef. Verbs are critical to demonstrating what you can do for the company. Review the following list for some powerful examples.
  • Assisted
  • Built
  • Constructed
  • Cooked
  • Created 
  • Designed 
  • Developed 
  • Ensured
  • Maintained 
  • Managed
  • Operated 
  • Performed
  • Planned 
  • Prepared
  • Ran

See our list of over 350 action verbs to find more.

Senior Level Work Experience as a Chef

  • Assisted in the preparation of the club’s annual food and beverage budget and financial goals
  • Built a team of 12 kitchen associates that were fully trained for their jobs and aware of the club’s goals 
  • Held all kitchen associates accountable for reaching their monthly and annual financial goals
  • Performed an accurate inventory count each month and possessed a firm understanding of the cost of goods sold
  • Operated the kitchen within the budgeted payroll and made adjustments to it as sales fluctuated
  • Planned the schedules for all 37 kitchen employees
  • Planned all menus with the club’s Executive Chef
  • Developed standards to ensure consistency in food taste and presentation
  • Ensured that all restaurant staff were familiar with the key ingredients, preparation, and taste of all menu items
  • Maintained responsibility for the hiring, training, and proficiency of employees in kitchen department
  • Created 16 new dishes for the Winter Banquet, utilizing in-season winter greens and holiday meats
  • Designed 7 new desserts per customers’ requests

Junior Level Work Experience as a Chef

  • Prepared healthy and clean meals using organic foods 
  • Prepared foods based around specific diets (e.g., gluten free, vegan, etc.)
  • Kept up-to-date on the latest culinary trends and fads
  • Experienced with planning menus for principals, children and events
  • Created lists and ordered and shopped for fresh foods
  • Properly stored ingredients and leftovers
  • Coordinated cooking and serving times with principals, children and domestic employees
  • Cleaned and tidied kitchen after each use
  • Maintained all kitchen equipment to ensure cleanliness and efficiency 
  • Created 3 new dinner dishes, receiving an award for creativity and menu planning
  • Designed a full 7-course menu for post-theater celebration party 


How to List Your Skills as a Chef

Chefs are the kings of their kitchen, and therefore they need to have good communication skills in order to keep the operations going. Chefs must also be creative with dishes, efficient at recording inventory, and punctual about fulfilling orders. 

  • Keen Sense of Taste and Smell
  • Business Skills
  • Creativity
  • Time Management
  • Dexterity
  • Physical Stamina
  • Leadership Skills
  • Communication

How to List Your Education as a Chef

Chefs require a high school diploma or GED. Those looking to specialize in a certain cuisine or work for a high-end establishment should pursue a college degree or a program in culinary school. However, most chefs learn their skills on the job. 


Requirements for licensure vary by state but generally involve the following:

  • High School Diploma or GED
  • 5+ years experience in a restaurant or similar setting 
  • Certifications are not necessary, but the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certification is the only culinary credential program within the US. The ACF indicates a level of preparedness, education and work experience that is highly valued within the culinary industry.
  • Complete a background check

Chef Career Overview

Job Outlook

The job outlook for Chefs is growing at 11% per year, which is considered to be much faster than average. In 2018 there were 139,000 jobs available.

Average Salary 

Chefs make $51,530 per year on average. However, salaries could be as high as $86,990 depending on experience and location. 

Top Paying Salaries by State

  • $78,640 -- Hawaii
  • $76,060 -- New Jersey
  • $71,230 -- Rhode Island

Search for Chef Jobs

Katerina Frye
With a background in Psychology and Marketing, Katerina devotes her time to understand people, their careers, and their goals to help them succeed. She also has experience in social media, science writing, and fiction. When she isn't writing, she's hitting the gym, playing with her cats, or eating chocolate.
View Author ProfileLinkedin

    Get inspired with more resume examples

    Read our how-to guides on making your resume perfect

    How to Write a Two-Page Resume (with Examples & Tips)

    Don't know whether you should write a one-page or two-page resume? Find out when it is appropriate to write a two-page resume and learn how to write it correctly.

    Read this how-to guide

    How to List References on a Resume in 2022 (with Examples & Tips)

    In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about including references on a resume, from how to format them to how to know when they should be included at all.

    Read this how-to guide

    How to Describe Work Experience on a Resume in 2022 (Examples & Tips)

    Your work experience is a summary of all your hard work, dedication and achievements over the years. Here's how to do justice to your work history.

    Read this how-to guide

    How to List Accomplishments on a Resume in 2022 (Including Awards & Key Achievements)

    Showcasing your achievements is what can be the cherry on the cake to help you stand out from the crowd as a top performer and really attract employers.

    Read this how-to guide

    More advice that will accelerate your career path

    10 Ways to Improve Your Networking Skills in 2022

    Mastering the ability to network can be the secret recipe for your long-term career success years beyond 2022. Follow these methods to effectively improve your networking skills.

    Read this career-advice article

    The Right Way to List Job Titles on Your Resume in 2022

    Listing your jobs correctly on your resume is a must. In this guide, you will learn how to appropriately list your job title and catch the eye of the recruiter.

    Read this career-advice article

    20+ Key Computer Skills to List on Your Resume in 2022 (With Examples)

    With the world becoming more digitally focused, having strong computer skills is more important than ever. In this guide, we will cover what computer skills are and which ones are best to include on your resume.

    Read this career-advice article

    How to Organize Your Resume with Resume Layout Examples in 2022

    How you organize your resume matters. The layout and formatting of a resume can have a huge impact on a hiring manager’s first impression. Plus, the layout helps to guide the employer’s eye around the resume to the most important information! In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about resume organization and layouts.

    Read this career-advice article

    Professional resume templates to help land your next dream job.

    Choose from one of our many resume templates to help you stand out from your competition.