How to Create a Resume for Catering Chefs
Creating a resume doesn't have to be a challenging task. When you know what to add to your resume, you're one step closer to getting that catering chef job. Start by checking the job description to get the keywords and action verbs that will optimize your resume. Use them to ensure your resume gets past the ATS systems. Hiring managers only have a little time to review the many resumes they get, so summarize everything on one page.
Highlight your culinary skills and experience without leaving any important details that separate you from your competitors. Our resume examples will help you get some more tips that you can consider as you write your resume.
Let's look at the format, layout, and structure of the resume.
The Best Resume Format
There are three formats you can consider for your resume.
- Reverse-chronological format - This format is for experienced candidates who have previously worked as catering chefs. It focuses on the experience and is easy to scan on ATS systems, making it a favorite of most recruiters.
- Functional resume format - This format is for recent graduates and career changers with little experience. It focuses on the candidate's skills.
- Hybrid/combination resume - This format is for candidates with the perfect blend of skills and experience. It combines the best features of the functional and reverse-chronological formats.
The layout should be simple to make it easy to read through your resume. The recommended fonts include Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Cambria, and Calibri. The font size should be 10-12pt.
The structure of your catering chef resume should have the following sections:
- The header
- The professional summary/ objective
- Work experience section
- Education section
- Skills section
- An additional section(computer skills and certifications, languages, and interests)
Start with the Header Section
The header should have your contact and personal information, which must be accurate. The details in this section should include the following:
- Your full name
- Job title
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- Location
- A link to your LinkedIn profile
Correct exampleCatering Chef
637-983-112
donaldtaylor@gmail.comWaco, TX
linkedin.com/in/donaldtaylor
Incorrect exampleCatering Chef
637-983-112
donaldtaylor@gmail.com1849 Beeghley Street
House number 22
Waco, TX
Date of birth 02/09/2000
linkedin.com/in/donaldtaylor
How to Showcase Your Experience in Your Resume
The experience section showcases your work history as a catering chef. Any other experience in the food industry will also come in handy.
Start with your most recent catering job going backward. Add the company's name, your job title, and the period you've worked at each place. Under each workplace, highlight your job responsibilities and the results you achieved. Using figures and facts to quantify your achievements will show the recruiter what you can do for the company if you get the opportunity. It's advisable to add at least three previous roles and up to five job duties under each workplace.
Candidates who don't have relevant experience can highlight their transferable skills from other jobs and internship experiences.
Example For an Entry-level Catering Chef
Catering Chef
October 2019-December 2021
- Worked with line cooks to verify the availability of foods listed on current menus and ensured the cleanliness of the food preparation area.
- Kept up-to-date on current menu items and other supplies, including garnishes, ingredients, and grocery and catering items.
- Received commendations from the executive chef and other catering staff for working quickly and efficiently without needing supervision.
Example For an Experienced Catering Chef
Executive Chef
June 2013-August 2018
- Maintained effective communication with company departments, including finance, merchandising, operations and logistics.
- Prepared food for catered events and supervised a team of 8 members to ensure that food presentation was appropriately done, especially for exclusive orders.
- Reported special menu requests and food allergies, discussed menu items, and suggested affordable appetizers to reduce food costs.
Education: Include Your Academic Background
The education section highlights your academic qualifications. If you have a bachelor's degree or diploma in culinary arts, you'll add it here. Always start with your most recent educational qualification. Most catering chef jobs will require a degree in culinary arts, but it's always advisable to check the job description and find out what your potential employer requires.
Start with the name of the degree or diploma, the name of the school you attended, and the year of graduation.
If you'd like to mention specific courses relevant to the position, you can also do so.
Correct example
Arizona Culinary Institute
2016
Skills for a Catering Chef Resume
List the unique abilities that will help you work diligently in this section. You need to have the right culinary skills on your resume to take advantage of some great opportunities.
Show the hiring manager that you have the required skills to prepare meals and ensure the best food quality at catered events. Separate the soft and hard skills into two sections. Hard skills may require some time to learn in culinary school or on the job, but soft skills are interpersonal traits that help you relate well with co-workers and clients.
Use bullet points when listing these skills to make scanning on the applicant tracking system easy. If you have any transferable skills, you'll add them in this section. Check out our resume templates which will help you structure this section.
Hard skills
- Menu development
- Quality control
- Food production
- Inventory management
- Catering operations
- Food preparation techniques
- Knowledge of cuisines
- Knowledge of different cooking methods
Soft skills
- Problem-solving
- Communication skills
- Customer service skills
- Multitasking
- Time management
- Creativity
- Team player
- Organizational skills
Professional Summary
A professional/resume summary highlights your top skills, experience, and accomplishments. It also introduces your resume by giving the recruiter an idea of what to expect in the rest of your resume. Keep it short, but make it engaging and use catchy language to keep the recruiter interested.
Correct example
Incorrect exampleProfessional Objective
A professional objective introduces a resume for recent graduates and career changers that don't have accomplishments to highlight in the resume summary. Highlight your professional goals and express your interest in getting the position in this section. It should also be short but interesting and engaging.
Correct exampleAdditional Sections for Your Resume
If you want your resume to stand out, you need an additional section on your resume. This is where you'll add your extra qualifications to ensure that the recruiter doesn't miss them. Let's look at some examples to consider.
Computer Skills and Certifications
If the job you're applying for requires computer skills, having them on your resume sets you apart from the other candidates. Add your computer skills in this section to make it easy for the recruiter to see them.
Certifications always help you stand out, so ensure that the recruiter doesn't miss them by adding them here. Some of the certifications that will boost your resume include:- Food Safety Manager(FSM)
- Certified Food Manager(CFM)
- Certified Culinary Administrator(CCA)
Languages
Language skills are essential for individuals in the catering industry because they interact with people from different cultures. If you have these skills, highlight them in this section. Use the official language reference as follows:
- Goethe Zertifikat for German
- Delf for French
- TOEFL or IELTS for English
