Chef CV template

What's included

• A matching cover letter in the same design
• A4, laid out for UK applications
• Real, selectable text that online application systems can read
• Switch template any time without losing a word
• AI writing help for your profile, achievements and letter (up to 60 AI actions)
• PDF and Word downloads of your CV and letter
• Edit and download again any time, no subscription

What to put on a chef CV

Head chefs reading a CV want to know where you have cooked, which sections you can run and whether your food safety training is up to date. This chef CV template has a warm header band showing your kitchens and food hygiene level, and lists your stations as tags, so pastry, grill or larder are clear at a glance. It is laid out on A4 with no photo.

It works for commis chefs, chefs de partie, sous chefs and head chefs, in restaurants, hotels, pubs, contract catering and care settings. Fill it in and preview for free with no account. Pay £4.99 once to download PDF and Word, with a matching cover letter included. Each design comes in three colourways, and there is no subscription.

Name each kitchen and its style

Give the restaurant or group, the type of food and how busy service was, such as a high-volume gastropub or a fine dining tasting menu. A head chef will judge your experience by the kitchens you name.

Show your level and stations

State your position, such as commis or chef de partie, and the sections you have run, like sauce, fish, grill, larder or pastry. If you stepped up to run the pass, say so.

List food safety qualifications

Level 2 Food Hygiene is expected for most chefs, and senior chefs often hold Level 3. Add allergen training and any HACCP knowledge.

Give management detail for senior roles

Ordering, stock control, GP targets, rotas, menu development and training junior chefs show you can run a kitchen. Use your own figures where you have them.

Mention availability and extras

Say if you can work split shifts, evenings and weekends, and whether you drive. Competitions, stages and chefs you trained under can go in a short extra section.

See a full chef CV example

Questions

What food hygiene level should a chef have?

Level 2 Food Hygiene for catering is the usual baseline for anyone handling food in a kitchen. Sous chefs and head chefs are often expected to hold Level 3, as they supervise others. Put your level and the year you passed it near the top of your CV.

How do I write a commis chef CV with little experience?

Lead with any kitchen work, college catering courses or apprenticeships, and your Level 2 Food Hygiene. Say which sections you have helped on and the skills you are confident with, such as knife skills and prep. Show that you are keen to learn and reliable on long shifts.

Should a chef CV include photos of my food?

Keep photos off the CV itself. If you have pictures of dishes you created, put them on Instagram or a simple online portfolio and add the link. Most head chefs will ask for a trial shift anyway, which shows your cooking better than any picture.

How long should a chef CV be?

One or two sides of A4. Head chefs are busy, so keep each role to a few lines covering the kitchen, your position, your stations and anything you led. Older or unrelated jobs can be cut to a single line or left out.

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