Executive Chef Resume Example & Writing Guide

Executive Chef Resume Sample

Executive Chef

Experienced Executive Chef with over 10 years of culinary experience in high-end restaurants and hotels. Skilled in creating innovative and delicious menus that satisfy even the most discerning palates. Adept at managing kitchen staff, maintaining inventory, and ensuring food safety standards are met.

Professional Experience

Executive Chef, The Ritz-Carlton, New York (2017-present)

Develop and execute seasonal menus for the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, using locally sourced and sustainable ingredients
Manage a team of 20 cooks and oversee operations in a high-volume kitchen, ensuring timely service and quality control
Maintain inventory and cost controls, reducing food costs by 10% while still maintaining quality standards

Executive Chef, Le Bernardin, New York (2012-2017)

Oversaw the kitchen operations of a Michelin three-star restaurant, managing a team of 30 cooks and ensuring food quality and safety
Crafted seasonal menus featuring contemporary French cuisine with an emphasis on seafood
Collaborated with the wine director to create tasting menus with wine pairings, resulting in a 10% increase in overall sales

Executive Chef, The French Laundry, Napa Valley (2008-2012)

Developed and executed menus featuring farm-to-table cuisine, using ingredients from the restaurant’s own garden and local purveyors
Managed a team of 20 cooks and mentored sous chefs in techniques, resulting in their promotions to executive chef positions
Implemented food safety procedures and training, resulting in a 100% passing rate on health inspections

Education and Certifications

Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY - Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts
Certified Executive Chef (CEC) from the American Culinary Federation
Food Safety Manager Certification from the National Restaurant Association

Expert Tip

Customize Each Resume

Avoid sending a generic resume to multiple employers. Tailor your resume to each job you're applying for by emphasizing the most relevant skills and experiences.

Executive Chef Resume Writing Guide

Introduction

Being an executive chef is not just a position, it’s a career passion. As a chef, you will have the responsibility of planning and managing the kitchen operations, controlling food costs, developing menus, and creating an exceptional dining experience for guests. It’s a highly challenging and rewarding role, and to stand out from the competition, you need a well-written resume that highlights your skills and experience. Here’s how to write an executive chef resume.

1. Craft the Perfect Executive Chef Resume Headline

Your resume headline should grab the attention of the hiring manager and clearly state your area of expertise. Use action words and keywords to describe your cooking style and professional achievements. For example, “Award-Winning Executive Chef with 10+ Years of Fine Dining Experience.”

2. Showcase Your Professional Experience

Your work experience section should show the hiring manager your culinary skills, creativity, leadership, and ability to manage a team. Describe your previous roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments in detail. Use bullet points to make your resume easy to read.

Mention the name of the restaurant, hotel, or resort where you worked.
Include your job title, dates of employment, and location.
List your duties and responsibilities such as menu development, food preparation, inventory management, and staff supervision.
Describe how you have contributed to the success of the establishment, such as increasing sales or winning culinary awards.

3. Emphasize Your Culinary Education and Training

Being an executive chef requires both formal education and on-the-job experience. Your education and training section should showcase your knowledge and qualifications.

List your culinary school or culinary degree program.
Mention any culinary certifications or training programs you have completed.
Highlight any specializations such as baking and pastry, catering, or international cuisine.

4. Highlight Your Skills and Abilities

Your skills section should highlight your abilities as a chef and manager. Include both technical cooking skills and soft skills such as communication and leadership.

List your cooking techniques such as grilling, sautéing, and baking.
Mention your knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.
Highlight your ability to create innovative and delicious menus.
Showcase your leadership and management skills, such as training and motivating staff, and controlling food and labor costs.

5. Use Action Words and Keywords

Your executive chef resume needs to be optimized with keywords and action words. This will help the hiring manager scan your resume quickly and identify your relevant qualifications. Examples of action words include:

Create
Manage
Lead
Innovate
Serve
Develop

Examples of keywords for an executive chef resume include:

Menu development
Budget control
Inventory management
Food safety and sanitation
Team management

Conclusion

Your executive chef resume is your first impression on a potential employer. To make a great impression, start with a strong headline that showcases your culinary expertise. Then, highlight your experience, education, skills, and achievements using action words and keywords. With a well-crafted resume, you can land your dream job as an executive chef.

Common Resume Writing Mistake

Listing Duties, Not Accomplishments

Your resume should highlight your accomplishments, not just your job duties. Highlighting your achievements showcases the value you could bring to a new role.