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CV Template · Cook

Cook CV template.

A cook CV should show that you can handle prep, service, cleanliness, and timing without slowing the kitchen down. Employers want to see the types of menus you have worked on, the stations you know, and whether you understand food safety under pressure.

Writing a strong Cook CV

Hiring managers for cook roles look for practical kitchen evidence: grill, sauté, fry, pantry, prep, or breakfast station experience; familiarity with portion control, batch cooking, stock rotation, and allergen procedures; and certifications such as ServSafe Food Handler or local food hygiene training. Your CV should make shift responsibilities clear, including covers served, mise en place duties, closing procedures, inventory checks, and work with POS or kitchen display systems. Mention the cuisine style, kitchen size, and any experience with HACCP logs, temperature records, recipe cards, or catering production.

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Three things that matter most

  • Name the stations you can run independently, such as grill, fryer, sauté, cold line, prep, or pastry, and describe the pace of service you handled.
  • Include food safety details that matter in real kitchens, such as temperature logging, FIFO rotation, allergen handling, sanitizer checks, and cross-contamination prevention.
  • Show menu and volume experience by listing cuisine types, daily covers, banquet prep, breakfast rushes, catering orders, or high-volume batch production.

Skills hiring managers look for

ServSafe Food Handler Mise en place preparation Grill and sauté station work FIFO stock rotation HACCP temperature logging Allergen control procedures Batch cooking and portion control Kitchen display systems

Frequently asked

How do I write a Cook CV with no restaurant experience?

Start with any hands-on food preparation you have done, such as catering help, school kitchens, volunteer meals, café work, or home-based baking orders. Include food hygiene training, knife skills, recipe following, cleaning routines, and your ability to work standing for long shifts. If you have no certification yet, completing a ServSafe Food Handler or local food safety course can make your CV more credible.

What kitchen experience should I put on a Cook CV?

List the stations you worked, the type of food served, and the volume of service where possible. A line such as 'Prepared 120-cover lunch service on grill and fryer stations' tells an employer much more than simply saying you cooked meals. Also include prep lists, stock rotation, closing duties, temperature checks, and allergen procedures.

Should a Cook CV include a food safety certificate?

Yes, food safety training should be easy to find on your CV because many kitchens screen for it before interview. Include ServSafe, Level 2 Food Hygiene, HACCP awareness, or any local health department certificate, with the date if current. If the certificate has expired, either renew it or list only recent training that remains valid.

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