Chef CV Example & Writing Guide

Chef CVs need to communicate your brigade position, cuisine specialism, and the standard and scale of the kitchens you've worked in. A Michelin-starred fine dining background and a high-volume casual dining background require very different CVs — and both can be strong depending on the role. Hiring managers look for kitchen management skills at the senior level (food cost control, GP management, team leadership, menu development) and technical skills at the junior level (knife skills, sauce work, specific cuisine knowledge). Food hygiene and allergen qualifications are mandatory — list them clearly.

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Chef CV Example — Sample

Alex Johnson

Head Chef

alex.johnson@email.com · London, UK · linkedin.com/in/alexjohnson

Professional Summary

Head chef with 10 years of experience in AA Rosette and Michelin-recommended restaurants. Led kitchen brigade of 14 across a 120-cover restaurant. Developed seasonal menus achieving 72% GP and reduced food waste by 30% through stock control system implementation. Level 4 Food Safety and Allergen Awareness certified.

Experience

Head Chef

The Larder (AA 2 Rosette)

Apr 2019 – Present
  • —Lead kitchen brigade of 14 across a 120-cover, 7-day restaurant; responsible for full menu development and kitchen P&L
  • —Designed and launched seasonal menus achieving 72% GP — up from 64% under previous head chef
  • —Reduced food waste by 30% through daily stock reconciliation system and improved ordering discipline

Sous Chef

Harbour House Restaurant

Jun 2015 – Mar 2019
  • —Second-in-command to head chef in busy 90-cover coastal seafood restaurant — managed brigade of 8
  • —Led weekend brunch service development — increased Saturday revenue by 24% in first quarter
  • —Trained and mentored 5 CDP and junior commis chefs; 2 progressed to senior CDP within 12 months

Skills

Menu development, kitchen P&L, food cost control, HACCP, Level 4 Food Safety (Highfield), allergen management, brigade management, seasonal cooking, pastry, sauce work, garnishing, sous vide, stock management, supplier relations

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How to write a Chef CV Example: 6 key tips

  • 1

    State the standard of kitchen clearly: Michelin star, AA Rosette, hotel rating, or restaurant brand

  • 2

    Include GP % and food cost achievements — kitchen management is ultimately a financial role

  • 3

    List food hygiene and allergen qualifications with awarding body and level: Level 2/3/4, Highfield, City & Guilds

  • 4

    Show brigade size and kitchen scale: covers, services per week, team headcount

  • 5

    Include cuisine specialism: French, modern British, Mediterranean, Asian fusion, pastry

  • 6

    For sous chef or CDP roles: demonstrate progression through kitchen hierarchy

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