Line Cook Resume: Overview
As a line cook, you are the backbone of any kitchen. You ensure that dishes are prepared to perfection and served promptly. You are responsible for prepping ingredients, cooking meals according to recipes, and maintaining cleanliness and organization in the kitchen.
Line cooks can work in a variety of settings, including:
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Catering companies
- Cruise ships
- Schools and Universities
To succeed as a line cook, you need essential skills like time management, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of cooking techniques. These qualifications ensure you can handle the fast-paced environment of a professional kitchen.
Ready to create a winning resume? Check out our impressive examples and downloadable templates to get started!
Line Cook Resume: Choose a Format
Picking the right resume format is like choosing the perfect recipe for your dish—each format serves a different purpose and highlights your strengths in unique ways.
Whether you’re a seasoned line cook or just starting out, a great template and the right format can make your resume stand out.
There are three formats to consider for a line cook resume: chronological, functional or combination. Let’s take a closer look at each one to find the best one for your resume!
Chronological Resumes for Line Cooks
A chronological resume is a timeline of your culinary journey, listing your work experience in reverse chronological order. This format is perfect if you’ve had a steady career in the kitchen, as it showcases your cooking experience and stability.
Employers love a chronological format because it’s easy to see your career path and relevant work experience.
However, a chronological resume can also highlight any gaps in employment or a lack of experience as a cook. If you are new to the kitchen or switching careers, another format may work better.
Functional Resumes for Line Cooks
A functional resume shifts the focus from when you worked to what you can do. It’s ideal if you’re new to the culinary world or have gaps in your work history. By emphasizing your skills—like food preparation, cooking techniques, and kitchen management—you can show employers what you bring to the table.
However, functional resumes are not compatible with most applicant tracking systems (ATS), so use caution when choosing this format, especially when applying online.
Combination Resumes for Line Cooks
A combination resume is the best of both worlds, blending the skills focus of a functional resume with the detailed work history of a chronological one. This format is great if you have a diverse set of skills and experience as a line cook.
It allows you to showcase your capabilities and achievements while also providing a clear work history. A combination resume helps present a comprehensive view of what you offer as a line cook.
Choosing a Resume Format
Choosing the right resume format makes your qualifications shine. If you are having trouble deciding, experts say a chronological resume is always a safe bet!
Chronological resumes are a good choice because they are popular with employers and are very ATS-friendly. An ATS looks for specific keywords and a clear structure, and a chronological resume fits the bill perfectly.
But what if you’re new to the culinary world and don’t have much professional experience? No problem! You can still use a chronological format and make it shine. Focus on any volunteer work, internships, or relevant coursework showing your cooking skills and passion.
Highlight any kitchen-related activities or relevant responsibilities, such as managing a small team during a school project or handling food prep during a volunteer event.
Remember, it’s all about showing your potential. Tailor each section to emphasize the skills and experiences that are most relevant to a line cook position.
With the right format and a bit of creativity, your resume can stand out and impress hiring managers, even if you’re just starting your culinary journey.
How to Write a Line Cook Resume
Crafting a standout line cook resume means showcasing your culinary talents, experience, and qualifications in a clear and compelling way.
Once you have chosen an impressive resume template and the right format to make your experience shine, it’s time to create your resume outline.
Get started by writing five critical sections for your line cook resume:
- Contact Information
- Resume Summary or Objective Statement
- Work History
- Skills
- Education
Once you nail down those five elements, if you have the page space, there are some additional sections you can consider to enhance your resume.
Follow our detailed resume-writing guide to find out how to make the most of each section and grab the attention of hiring managers!
Contact Information
The first and hopefully easiest section is your contact information. It should be placed prominently at the top of your resume so that it is easy to find and read.
Your contact information should also be professional and error-free. Include your full name, city and state where you live, phone number, and email address. Make sure your email address looks professional—no nicknames or outdated email providers.
For example, your contact information may look something like this:
Loretta Cook
Tucson, AZ
(555) 555-5555
Loretta.Cook@fake-example.com
Summary or Objective
When starting your line cook resume, the summary or objective statement is your chance to make a great first impression. This section is placed underneath your contact information at the top of your resume and gives employers a quick overview of who you are and what you bring to the table.
Choosing the right type of statement for your resume—whether a summary or an objective—depends on your experience level and career goals.
A resume summary is ideal if you’re an experienced line cook. It highlights your skills, past achievements, and what makes you a standout candidate. This brief statement should quickly convey your expertise and the value you bring to the kitchen.
A great resume summary includes:
- Your years of experience
- Key skills relevant to the job
- Notable achievements or strengths
- A snapshot of your professional background
Here’s an example of a resume summary for a line cook’s resume:
“Experienced line cook with over 5 years in high-volume kitchens. Skilled in food prep, cooking, and maintaining kitchen cleanliness. Proven ability to work efficiently under pressure and deliver high-quality dishes.”
An objective statement, however, is better suited for someone new to the culinary industry or who is making a career change. This statement focuses on your career goals and what you aim to achieve in your next role. It’s your opportunity to show your enthusiasm and dedication to becoming a line cook.
A great objective statement includes:
- Your current career stage or education
- The position you’re seeking
- What you aim to contribute to the employer
- Your enthusiasm and career aspirations
Here’s an example of an objective statement for a line cook’s resume:
“Passionate culinary school graduate seeking a line cook position to apply cooking techniques and enhance kitchen operations. Dedicated to delivering excellent food quality and improving team productivity.”
Whether you choose a summary or an objective, customize this section of your resume for each job application. Look at the job description and incorporate relevant keywords to make your resume more appealing to ATS.
These automated systems scan for specific skills and terms, so using keywords from the job posting can help ensure your resume gets noticed. Also, keep this introduction brief – two to three sentences is plenty!
By carefully crafting your summary or objective, you set the stage for the rest of your resume and make a strong case for why you’re the right person for the job. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to landing your next line cook position.
Work History
Next, you will create a detailed work history section, where you can showcase your journey as a line cook. This section should detail your previous roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments in the kitchen.
Start by listing your previous jobs, starting with your most recent position and working backward.
Format each job entry with your job title, employer, location, and dates of employment. Then, beneath each job entry, you will write bullet points to list your duties and achievements.
Making your job experience and achievements stand out to employers is vital to getting to the next step in the hiring process.
Pro Tip: Use strong action verbs to help your work history shine, and remember to quantify your accomplishments in each role.
Start each bullet point with a strong action verb like “prepared,” “maintained,” “assisted,” and “trained” to help potential employers visualize your work.
Then, to demonstrate your impact as an employee, use numbers to quantify your achievements. For example, instead of saying that you “prep food efficiently,” you might say, “Increased kitchen efficiency by 20% through improved prep techniques.”
Keep your work history focused on duties relevant to the line cook position you’re applying for.
Pro Tip: To grab the reader’s attention, be specific! Don’t just list your duties—explain how you performed them and what impact you had.
For instance, instead of saying, “Maintained kitchen cleanliness,” you could say, “Maintained a spotless kitchen environment, passing all health inspections with top marks.”
Also, if you’ve taken on more responsibilities or earned promotions, highlight these progressions to show your growth and dedication in your culinary career.
You can also adjust your work history to match the job description. Emphasize the skills and experiences that the potential employer is looking for.
To help you get started, here’s an example of a job entry on a line cook resume:
Line Cook
Gourmet Bistro, Phoenix, AZ June 2020 – Present
- Prepared and cooked a variety of menu items to order in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen, ensuring consistent quality and presentation.
- Maintained a spotless and organized kitchen, adhering to health and safety standards to create a safe working environment.
- Assisted with inventory management by monitoring stock levels and placing orders, reducing food waste by 15%.
- Trained and mentored new kitchen staff, improving team productivity and ensuring adherence to food preparation and safety protocols.
- Implemented new prep techniques that increased kitchen efficiency by 20%, contributing to faster service times and improved customer satisfaction.
Skills
A dedicated skills section is crucial for a line cook resume. Including both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (personal attributes) will show potential employers that you are the complete package.
Your technical skills will highlight your knowledge and previous training, while your soft skills will let employers know you can work well with the rest of the team.
To help you get started, here are the top skills for a line cook that will make your resume stand out:
Top 5 Hard Skills for Line Cook Resumes
- Food Preparation: Prepping ingredients efficiently and accurately is a fundamental skill for a line cook. Whether it’s chopping vegetables, marinating meat, or setting up your mise en place, solid food prep skills ensure that everything runs smoothly during service.
- Cooking Techniques: Proficiency in various cooking methods— grilling, frying, sautéing, and more— is a must. Mastering different techniques demonstrates versatility and competence in the kitchen.
- Knife Skills: Precision in chopping, slicing, and dicing is not just about speed but also about consistency and safety. Good knife skills can improve efficiency and the overall quality of dishes.
- Food Safety: Knowledge of health and safety standards is critical to maintaining a clean and safe kitchen. This includes everything from proper food storage to cooking temperatures, ensuring food is safe for customers and staff.
- Inventory Management: Experience tracking and managing kitchen supplies ensures that the kitchen is well-stocked and minimizes food waste. This skill shows you can handle the logistical side of kitchen operations effectively.
Top 5 Soft Skills for Line Cook Resumes
- Time Management: Managing your time efficiently is crucial in a fast-paced kitchen. Ensuring dishes are prepared and served promptly can make or break the dining experience.
- Teamwork: Kitchens are collaborative environments. Your ability to work well with other kitchen staff and the front-of-house team is essential for a harmonious and efficient workflow.
- Attention to Detail: A keen eye for detail ensures that food quality and presentation are consistently high. Whether it’s the taste, texture, or appearance, attention to detail elevates the dining experience.
- Adaptability: Kitchens can be unpredictable, and being able to handle changing orders and kitchen demands is a valuable trait. Adaptability shows you can keep calm and perform well under pressure.
- Communication: Clear communication is critical for coordinating with team members and following instructions accurately. Good communication skills help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the kitchen runs smoothly.
You can format your skills section in several ways, mainly depending on your chosen template and resume format.
A skills section for a line cook resume may look like this:
Skills
- Food Preparation
- Knife Skills
- Food Safety
- Inventory Management
- Attention to Detail
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Time Management
Education
Next, you will provide your educational background to show potential employers your foundational knowledge and training.
Start with your most recent degree or certification. Include the degree or certification you earned, the institution’s name, and its location.
You don’t have to include your graduation date—this can help avoid age-related bias and keep the focus on your qualifications.
Here’s an example of a typical education section for a line cook resume:
Culinary Arts Degree
Boston Culinary School, Boston, MA
Additional Sections
Once you have completed the first five sections, consider including some optional information to enhance your resume.
Adding extra sections to your resume can really help you stand out as a line cook and show potential employers the full range of your experience and qualifications.
Here are a few optional sections you might consider including on your line cook resume:
- Certifications: If you’ve taken any additional courses or received certifications related to cooking or food safety, this is the place to highlight them. Certifications like ServSafe or specialized culinary training can make you more attractive to employers by showing your commitment to professional development and adherence to safety standards.
- Professional Affiliations: Being part of professional organizations, such as the American Culinary Federation, can demonstrate your dedication to staying current in the culinary field. It also shows you’re serious about networking and professional growth, which can be a big plus in the eyes of potential employers.
- Awards and Honors: Have you been recognized for your skills or contributions in the kitchen? Including awards and honors can showcase your achievements and distinguish you from other candidates. This could be anything from “Employee of the Month” to culinary competition awards.
- Volunteer Work: Volunteering in a culinary capacity, such as cooking for charity events or at community kitchens, shows your passion for cooking and your willingness to give back to the community.
- Languages: If you’re multilingual, this can be a significant asset in a kitchen, especially in diverse work environments or high-tourism areas. Listing any languages you speak can show your ability to communicate with a broader range of colleagues and customers.
By including these sections, you’re not just listing your qualifications—you’re telling a story about your dedication, skills, and the unique qualities that make you the best candidate for the job.
Top Certifications For Line Cooks
Creating an additional section highlighting any relevant training or certifications can significantly boost your resume by demonstrating your commitment to professional development.
- ServSafe Food Handler: This nationally recognized certification shows potential employers that you are educated about food safety and sanitation.
- CPR and First Aid Certification: This training lets employers know you are prepared for emergencies in the kitchen.
- Certified Fundamentals Cook (CFC): This certification, offered by the American Culinary Federation, certifies that you have the knowledge and skills needed for a line cook job.
- Certified Sous Chef (CSC): Earning this certification identifies you as a cook who has demonstrated culinary knowledge and skills consistent with a chef who supervises a shift or station.
10 Tips For Writing A Line Cook Resume
Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job application by highlighting relevant skills and experiences. For example, if the job description emphasizes fast-paced kitchen experience, be sure to mention your ability to thrive under pressure in previous roles.
Use Keywords: Include keywords from the job description to pass through applicant tracking systems. If the employer is looking for someone with grilling and sautéing expertise, make sure those words appear in your resume to increase your chances of being noticed.
Quantify Achievements: Use numbers to showcase your accomplishments, which makes your impact clear. For instance, write “Increased kitchen efficiency by 15% by optimizing prep processes” instead of just stating that you improved efficiency.
Highlight Skills: Emphasize hard skills (like knife handling and food safety) and soft skills (such as teamwork and time management). Employers want to see that you’re not only skilled in the kitchen but that you can work well with others.
Keep It Concise: Limit your resume to one page, focusing on the most critical information. Concisely describe your roles and achievements without getting bogged down in unnecessary details, ensuring that the most relevant information stands out.
Professional Design: Use a clean and professional resume template with clear headings and bullet points. This makes your resume easy to read and helps hiring managers quickly find the information they’re looking for.
Include Certifications: List any relevant certifications demonstrating your qualifications and commitment to food safety standards. Certifications can give you an edge over other candidates and show your dedication to maintaining high standards.
Proofread: Carefully proofread your resume to avoid any spelling or grammatical errors. A mistake-free resume shows attention to detail, which is crucial in a kitchen environment where precision matters.
Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with an action verb to make your responsibilities and achievements stand out. Words like “prepared,” “managed,” and “executed” can make your resume more dynamic and engaging. For example, “Prepared a variety of dishes for up to 200 diners per shift.”
Contact Information: Ensure your contact information is up-to-date and professional. Use a straightforward email address (no jokes or nicknames) and a reliable phone number. Also, make sure your voicemail message sounds professional in case you miss a potential employer’s call. That way, when employers reach out to you, you will make a great first impression.
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Key Takeaways
- Tailoring your resume to each job application is essential for standing out.
- Using the right resume format can effectively showcase your skills and experience.
- Highlighting hard and soft skills is crucial for a well-rounded line cook resume.
- Quantifying achievements with numbers can make your resume more impressive.
- Proofreading your resume ensures a professional and polished final product.
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FAQ
To make your resume stand out, choose a visually appealing resume template and the right format to showcase your experience level.
Then, make your writing more compelling to the reader. For example, you can quantify your achievements where possible. For example, instead of just saying you improved kitchen efficiency, say, "Increased kitchen efficiency by 15% through improved prep techniques."
You can also use action verbs to describe your responsibilities and achievements to grab the reader’s attention. Start each sentence with words like “created,” “organized,” and “prepared,” to demonstrate a proactive approach to work.
If you have gaps in your employment history, don’t worry! You may consider using a functional resume format to focus on your skills rather than the gaps between jobs. However, you can also customize any format to emphasize your relevant skills and experience despite any interruption in employment.
You can also briefly explain any gaps in your cover letter, emphasizing any productive activities you engaged in during that time. For example, if you took a cooking course or volunteered, those experiences are also valuable.
Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for specific words and details to find applicants who are a good match for the job. It’s crucial to take some key steps to ensure that your line cook resume gets noticed.
First, use keywords from the job description. If the job posting mentions specific skills or qualifications, like “knife skills,” “food preparation,” or “safety standards,” make sure to include those exact phrases in your resume.
Choose a clean and simple resume template. Avoid using images, graphics, or complex formatting that might confuse the ATS. Stick to standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, and use clear headings for each section.
Be specific about your culinary skills and experience. For example, if the job description emphasizes “experience in high-volume kitchens,” make sure your resume includes those words. Also, mention any specific cooking techniques you’re proficient in, like grilling, sautéing, or frying, as these details can match keywords the ATS is scanning for.
This alignment helps your resume pass the initial ATS screening and land in front of a hiring manager. By following these tips, you’ll improve your chances of getting your resume past the ATS and into the hands of a real person.
Experts say hiring managers typically spend less than 10 seconds scanning a resume before deciding if you make the first cut. So, a clear, concise resume is more likely to make a strong impact. Your line cook resume should be one page long. If you have extensive work experience, it is acceptable to use a second page, but only if absolutely necessary.
Keep your resume focused on the most relevant information and use a well-organized layout to help potential employers quickly understand your skills and qualifications.