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CV examples · Hospitality

Chef CV example

Kitchen ads read fast and hire fast. This chef CV example gets the essentials on the page quickly: the kind of kitchens, the section you run, covers, food safety and your qualification.

Written for New Zealand, with notes for Australia · Checked

Free. Then compare it with a real Chef job ad.

The example

A Chef CV, start to finish.

Priya Raman is made up, and so are the employers. The layout and the wording are what New Zealand employers expect: no photo or date of birth, the most recent job first, and every bullet showing what was done and what came of it.

Priya Raman

Chef de Partie, à la carte and events

Queenstown · 027 555 0114 · priya.raman@email.com

Profile

Chef de partie with seven years in busy à la carte kitchens and hotel events. Runs a section cleanly under pressure, keeps food safety records spotless, and trains new cooks on prep and plating.

Skills

À la carte service · Running a section · Events and functions · Food safety records · Stock rotation · Menu costing · Training junior cooks

Experience

Chef de Partie, Rimu Lodge

Queenstown · 2022 to now

  • Run the grill section for up to 180 covers on a busy night
  • Keep food safety records under the kitchen's Food Control Plan, ready for every verification
  • Train new commis chefs on prep, plating and hygiene
  • Help cost and test new dishes for seasonal menu changes

Commis Chef, Harbourside Hotel

Nelson · 2019 to 2022

  • Prepared food for functions of up to 250 guests
  • Rotated through larder, pastry and hot sections
  • Managed stock rotation and deliveries on the morning shift

Education

New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4), Otago Polytechnic

2019

Other details

Availability
Nights and weekends
Driver's licence
Full

Referees

Available on request

Priya wrote a cover letter to go with it. Read the chef cover letter

Skills and keywords

What chef job ads look for.

Use the ad's own words where they're true of you. An ATS, and a recruiter skimming, both look for them.

  • Chef de partieUse the title the ad uses for the level you're at.
  • À la carteSay what style of service: à la carte, banquet, café or high volume.
  • CoversA number shows the pace you're used to.
  • Food Control PlanNew Zealand kitchens work under one. Show you keep the records.
  • Food safetyEvery kitchen ad asks for it in some form.
  • Stock rotationShows you care about waste and cost.
  • TrainingLeading junior cooks is the step to sous chef.

Bullet points

8 strong lines to borrow from.

Each says what was done, how, and what came of it. Swap in your own facts: a line is only strong if it's true.

  1. 1Ran the grill section for up to 180 covers on a busy night
  2. 2Kept food safety records under the kitchen's Food Control Plan, ready for every verification
  3. 3Trained new commis chefs on prep, plating and hygiene
  4. 4Helped cost and test new dishes for seasonal menu changes
  5. 5Prepared food for functions of up to 250 guests
  6. 6Rotated through larder, pastry and hot sections
  7. 7Managed stock rotation and deliveries on the morning shift, cutting waste
  8. 8Stepped up to run the pass when the sous chef was away

Common mistakes

What costs chef CVs interviews.

  • A list of every dish you can cook.

    Show the kitchen: its style, how many covers, your section and what you were trusted with.

  • Leaving out food safety.

    Say you keep the records. It's a legal requirement and every head chef wants to see it.

  • Skipping your availability.

    Kitchens run nights and weekends. Say when you can work.

New Zealand and Australia

What changes across the Tasman.

New Zealand

Most New Zealand kitchens operate under a Food Control Plan. Showing you keep its records well is a strong point on any chef CV.

New Zealand CV format

Australia

Australian kitchens often ask for a Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery; say what your New Zealand qualification is and its level. Australian employers usually say resume rather than CV, and expect about two pages.

Australian CV format

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Something else on your mind? Email support@smartcvs.ai and a person will reply.

Do chefs need a CV at all?

Yes, even in kitchens that hire after a trial shift. A short CV gets you the trial.

Should I include photos of my food?

Not on the CV itself. If you have a portfolio, add a link to it.

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