Are you looking to write your perfect Assistant Chef CV?
Securing a role in the culinary world as an Assistant chef is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your skills and passion for creating delicious dishes.
A well-crafted CV is your ticket to landing that dream job, as it not only outlines your qualifications and experience but also highlights your culinary achievements.
In this comprehensive article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide, useful tips and examples to help you craft the ideal CV. So, whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your culinary journey, use this guide to make your CV shine and secure more job interviews. Let’s begin!
I am a passionate, organised, customer-focused (Graduate) Assistant Chef who enjoys the day-to-day preparation and serving of food and drinks. I have worked in the hospitality sector since 2012 in order to do things that I enjoy the most; cooking and delivering excellent customer service to satisfied customers.
Achievements
Covered Head Chef for 2 weeks in his absence (Roundtable Restaurant, 2013)
Completed a Degree in Cooking
Education
2009 – 2012
BA Food and Professional Cookery
UWL
Degree Classification: [2:1]
Relevant Modules:
Kitchen and Larder (64%)
Food Microbiology (59%)
Diet and Nutrition (73%)
Personal and Professional Development (66%)
Pastry 1 and 2 (65%)
Kitchen Techniques (60%)
Hospitality Business Management (70%)
Restaurant Food Production (69%)
2007 – 2009
NVQ Level 3 in Catering and hospitality
Finley College
Grade achieved: Distinction
Relevant Units:
Food production and cooking (D)
Professional cookery (M)
Hospitality services (M)
Housekeeping (D)
Food and beverage service (D)
Work experience
Mar 2013 – Present
Assistant Chef Roundtable Restaurant
Main duties performed:
Assisted chef in the preparation of food (such as dishes, salads and desserts)
Preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner for customers
Plating and serving all the food in a delicious and professional standard
Cleaning the kitchen floor, table surfaces and front restaurant
Assisting the Head Chef with menu planning
Covering for the Head Chef’s duties and responsibilities in his absence
Demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of all menus to customers
Taking orders in person and on the phone.
Handling payments and operating the till
Dealing with customer complaints, compliments and queries
Performing stock rotation throughout the day
Operating kitchen machinery
Assisting in table cleaning and washing dishes
Recording and monitoring the temperature throughout the day
Ensuring that prepared dishes are presented aesthetically
Recycling food in an appropriate manner
Washing and preparing food before it is cooked
Enquiring customers regarding allergies, preferences and special requests and preparing food accordingly
Inspecting food before it is served to customers
Cutting vegetables to be used for salads, soups and dishes
Liaising with suppliers to order vegetables, frozen food, meats etc
Ensuring Health & Safety and Hygiene standards are followed at all times
Dec 2012 – Mar 2013
Catering Assistant Top Tastes
Main duties performed:
Serving food and drinks
Assisting the kitchen staff with their duties
Performing date checks on a daily basis and removing out-of-date items
Setting up the kitchen in preparation for a shift
Maintaining a high level of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the restaurant (including performing cleaning duties and waste disposal)
Assisting with the plating of meals to a very high standard
Ordering and maintaining stock levels
Ensuring the kitchen is in an organised and tidy state
Qualifications
Catering: Professional Cookery VRQ Intermediate Diploma Level 2
Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering
Skills
Excellent customer service skills at all times and in all circumstances
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
Exceptional cooking and food presentation skills
An ability to stay calm under mounting pressure
A natural flair with ingredients
Attention to detail (particularly in food preparation and presentation)
Hobbies and interests
My greatest passion and strength is cooking; which is why I have chosen to make it my career and make a living out of it. I see preparing meals as a hobby since it is an evolving, dynamic process which is always full of delicious surprises. I also enjoy socialising with my family and friends and going to the cinema.
References
Mr Jacob Jenkins Head Chef, Roundtable Restaurant Address: 96 Moulton Road, Guthrie, DD8 1ZY Tel: 0206 3179 4378 Email:[email protected]
Mr Charles Buckley Kitchen Manager, Top Tastes Address: 29 Milk Street, Staffing, IV51 5DZ Tel: 0253 2352 3533 Email:[email protected]
Preview
What makes this CV good and effective?
A compelling personal profile: The personal profile is a concise yet compelling summary of the candidate’s passion for culinary arts and their dedication to achieving excellence as an assistant chef. Above all, it shows their passion for cooking and customer service, both essential requirements for this role.
Good structure and format: The CV follows a clean and well-structured format, with clear headings and bullet points that enhance readability. The use of a professional and easily legible font (i.e. Verdana) ensures that the CV is visually appealing and easy to navigate.
Detailed education: The candidate has provided a detailed breakdown of what subjects they studied at college and university, giving the reader a more complete picture of their knowledge and capabilities.
Use of bullet points and short sentences: The candidate has used short bullet points and sentences instead of big paragraphs of text, making scanning and reading the CV effortlessly. This is very important because several studies have shown that employers only read CVs for less than 30 seconds.
Use a clean and professional template: Opt for a clean, well-structured template that aligns with the culinary industry’s aesthetics. A simple, elegant design is the best option, never use a fancy template as it will make you look unprofessional. Make sure you customise and tailor the CV template to your own requirements and taste (pun intended).
Tailor your CV to the role: Ensure that your CV aligns with the Assistant chef position. For example, if the job requires menu planning, emphasise your experience in this area. Refer to the job’s advert or personal specifications to find out the essential requirements of the job and try to incorporate those skills, abilities and expertise on your CV if they are applicable.
Highlight relevant skills: Showcase your culinary skills and techniques, such as “knife skills”, “sous-vide cooking” or “food plating artistry.” You can do this in the “Employment” section of your CV, or in a dedicated “Skills” section. Scroll down to see examples of both these sections.
Utilise a two-page limit: Aim for a concise, one to two-page CV. Avoid excessive length, as it may discourage employers from reading the entire document. Remember, when it comes to writing an effective CV, less is more.
Your CV’s personal details section is where you provide essential information about yourself to prospective employers. It should contain your full name, contact details, including phone number and email address, and your address.
Guidance for personal details in your CV:
Ensure that your personal details are accurate and up to date, as any errors can result in missed opportunities or communication issues with potential employers.
Include a professional email address, preferably one that uses your name (e.g., [email protected]), and avoid using informal or inappropriate email addresses.
For your address, simply mention your city or town and postal code, without the need for a full home address, which is often unnecessary and can compromise your privacy.
Your personal profile is like the introduction to your CV, and it’s where you get to make a strong first impression. It’s important because it’s the first thing employers read, and it gives them a quick overview of who you are professionally.
It should contain a concise summary of your key skills, experiences and career goals, helping employers understand what you have to offer and why you’re the right fit for the job.
As an experienced Assistant Chef, I have honed my culinary skills through years of crafting exquisite dishes in high-end restaurants. I excel in menu creation, food presentation, and maintaining the highest standards of hygiene. My proven track record includes contributing to a 15% increase in customer satisfaction by introducing innovative menu items and leading a kitchen brigade to deliver exceptional dining experiences.
Achievements and awards
The achievements and awards section in your CV is where you showcase your standout moments and accomplishments.
Present bullet points of your key achievements, such as awards you’ve won, promotions you’ve earned, outstanding grades or any notable successes from your life, education and employment.
This section lets employers see tangible evidence of what you’re capable of and what sets you apart from others in your field.
Received the “Culinary Excellence Award” for innovative menu creations.
Promoted to Senior Sous Chef within two years of joining the restaurant.
Completed a professional certification in Food Safety and Hygiene with a top score of 98%.
Volunteered to organize a charity event, raising £5,000 for a local food bank.
Achieved a Level 3 qualification in Culinary Arts with distinction.
Employment history
In your CV’s employment history section, you need to provide a detailed account of your previous roles and responsibilities. Start with your most recent job and work backwards, listing the job title, the name of the company, the dates you worked there and a clear and concise description of your key duties and achievements.
July 2019 – Present
Assistant Chef Savory Delights Restaurant
Main duties and responsibilities performed:
Collaborated with the Head Chef in menu planning and development.
Led a team of junior chefs, providing guidance and training to ensure efficient kitchen operations.
Achieved a consistent customer satisfaction rating of over 90% through exceptional culinary creations.
Introduced a signature dish that contributed to a 15% increase in monthly sales.
Assisting the Head Chef in menu planning and development.
Preparing and cooking a wide range of dishes with precision and creativity.
Supervising and training junior kitchen staff to ensure smooth kitchen operations.
Maintaining high standards of food quality and presentation.
Overseeing the preparation and plating of dishes for service.
Monitoring and controlling food costs and wastage.
Ensuring compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations.
Collaborating with suppliers to source fresh and high-quality ingredients.
Taking inventory of kitchen supplies and ordering necessary items.
Contributing to a positive and collaborative work environment in the kitchen.
Education
The education section of your CV contains a summary of your academic qualifications and achievements, helping employers assess your educational background. Guidelines:
List your educational qualifications in reverse chronological order.
Include the name of the institution, the qualification earned, the subject of study, dates of study and any academic achievements.
Only include relevant qualifications for the job you’re applying for.
Be concise and focus on the most important educational details.
Example:
2015 – 2018
Bachelor of Culinary Arts
Le Cordon Bleu London
Degree classification: 2:1.
Subjects Studied:
Advanced Food Preparation
Gastronomy and Food Culture
Culinary Innovation
Kitchen Management
2017 – 2019 Results: Food Science: A, Nutrition and Dietetics: B, Chemistry: C.
A-Levels
Culinary Arts College
Professional training and qualifications
In this section, you can list your professional qualifications and vocational training, enhancing your CV with details of specific culinary courses, certifications and workshops relevant to the role you’re applying for.
Example:
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Culinary Arts – City & Guilds
Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate – Royal Society for Public Health
Certificate in Menu Planning and Development – Le Cordon Bleu London
Advanced Pastry and Baking Techniques – Culinary Institute of America
Diploma in Professional Kitchen Management – Culinary Arts Institute
Barista Training Course – Specialty Coffee Association
Core competencies
The core competencies section of your CV is where you highlight your key skills and attributes relevant to the role of an Assistant chef.
It should contain a concise list of your culinary and kitchen-related skills, such as food preparation, menu planning, food safety and teamwork, showcasing what you bring to the kitchen and why you’re an ideal candidate for the job.
Example:
Food preparation: Proficient in the art of food preparation, with experience in creating diverse dishes from various cuisines, leading to a consistent high customer satisfaction rating.
Menu planning: Skilled in menu design, resulting in the successful introduction of new menu items that boosted sales by 15%.
Food safety: Certified in food safety and hygiene, maintaining impeccable kitchen standards and achieving top scores in health inspections.
Menu planning: Skilled in designing and creating appealing and diverse menus.
Culinary innovation: Known for creative culinary ideas and unique dish creations.
Food preparation: Proficient in preparing and handling a wide range of ingredients and cuisines.
Teamwork: Effective collaboration with kitchen staff to ensure efficient operations.
Food safety: Certified in food safety and hygiene, maintaining a clean and safe kitchen.
Inventory management: Expertise in managing kitchen inventory, reducing wastage and costs.
Plating and presentation: Able to create visually stunning and appetising plate presentations.
Time management: Efficiently managing time to meet culinary deadlines during busy service hours.
Knife skills: Proficient in using various knife techniques for food preparation.
Pastry and baking: Skilled in pastry and baking, including bread and dessert preparation.
Hobbies & interests
The hobbies and interests section of your CV provides a glimpse into your personality and can help you connect with potential employers on a personal level.
It should contain hobbies and interests that reflect your passions and qualities that align with the job.
For example, you can include hobbies like experimenting with new recipes, visiting local food markets, or volunteering at culinary events to show your dedication to your profession and your engagement with the culinary world.
Outside the kitchen, I enjoy exploring local food markets to discover fresh ingredients and culinary inspirations. Experimenting with new recipes and techniques is both a hobby and a passion, allowing me to constantly refine my culinary skills. Volunteering at charity cook-off events not only satisfies my love for cooking but also enables me to give back to the community while honing my expertise.
Referees
The referees section of your CV contains the contact details of individuals who can vouch for your skills, abilities and character, typically including their name, job title, company, phone number and email address.
At this stage, you don’t need to include referees’ details on your CV, but you can simply state, “References available upon request,” as this saves space and maintains your referees’ privacy until requested by the employer.
The example below demonstrates how to present this information on your CV if you decide to include these details anyway.
Example:
Rebecca Harrison Executive Chef, Savory Elegance Restaurant Address: 125 Gourmet Lane, London W1A 1AA Tel: 01234 567890 Email:[email protected]
Laura Williams Head Chef, Culinary Creations Hotel Address: 456 Bromley Street, Manchester M2 2BB Tel: 07890 123456 Email:[email protected]
Include your professional affiliations: If you’re a member of culinary organisations or associations, mention these affiliations to signal your commitment to the culinary community.
Mention your cost-control skills: Describe how you’ve managed costs by reducing wastage, negotiating with suppliers or implementing efficient inventory management. In the current economy, many restaurants are under financial pressure so this skill will give your application a big boost.
Underline your event catering skills: If you have expertise in catering for large events or special occasions, like weddings or corporate functions, emphasise this valuable experience. Refer to the job’s personal specifications to identify the type of events to highlight.
Create a standout cover letter: Complement your CV with a well-written cover letter that further highlights your enthusiasm and suitability for the role.
Proofread meticulously: Eliminate spelling, grammar and formatting errors, ensuring a polished, professional document that reflects your attention to detail, a crucial trait in the culinary world.
Conclusion
This is the end of our guide on crafting a standout Assistant Chef CV.
We’ve provided you with a detailed example, valuable tips and expert advice to help you create a compelling document that stands out in the competitive culinary world.
By following our guidance, you can confidently present your qualifications, experience and passion for cooking in a way that sets you apart, making a lasting impression on recruiters and opening the doors to exciting opportunities in the culinary world.
Good luck with your job search!
Written by Sobhan Mohmand Sobhan is a qualified Careers Advisor and Professional CV Writer with over 10 years of experience in helping job seekers get a job. He is a Member of the Careers Development Institute (CDI) and is listed on the official UK Register of Career Development Professionals. He holds a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development (QCF).
