As a sous chef, crafting a resume that effectively showcases your culinary expertise and leadership skills can be a daunting challenge. Our guide provides you with targeted advice on how to highlight your kitchen accomplishments and management experience, ensuring you stand out to potential employers.
- The most effective sous chef resume samples, reflecting on experience and skills.
- +10 simple, yet impactful methods to tailor your sous chef resume to the job advert.
- Using your professional achievements as the North Star to your unique value as a sous chef candidate.
- 'No one cares about your education nowadays …' Let's prove this statement wrong with the best-kept industry secrets to your education and certifications.
If the sous chef resume isn't the right one for you, take a look at other related guides we have:
- Hospitality Manager Resume Example
- Culinary Resume Example
- Fine Dining Bartender Resume Example
- Bartender Server Resume Example
- Cocktail Server Resume Example
- Kitchen Manager Resume Example
- Catering Server Resume Example
- Food Server Resume Example
- Waiter Resume Example
- Fine Dining Server Resume Example
Designing your sous chef resume format to catch recruiters' eyes
Your sous chef resume will be assessed on a couple of criteria, one of which is the actual presentation.
Is your resume legible and organized? Does it follow a smooth flow?
Or have you presented recruiters with a chaotic document that includes everything you've ever done in your career?
Unless specified otherwise, there are four best practices to help maintain your resume format consistency.
- The top one third of your sous chef resume should definitely include a header, so that recruiters can easily contact you and scan your professional portfolio (or LinkedIn profile).
- Within the experience section, list your most recent (and relevant) role first, followed up with the rest of your career history in a reverse-chronological resume format .
- Always submit your resume as a PDF file to sustain its layout. There are some rare exceptions where companies may ask you to forward your resume in Word or another format.
- If you are applying for a more senior role and have over a decade of applicable work experience (that will impress recruiters), then your sous chef resume can be two pages long. Otherwise, your resume shouldn't be longer than a single page.
Upload & Check Your Resume
Drop your resume here or choose a file. PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.
PRO TIP
If you happen to have some basic certificates, don't invest too much of your sous chef resume real estate in them. Instead, list them within the skills section or as part of your relevant experience. This way you'd ensure you meet all job requirements while dedicating your certificates to only the most in-demand certification across the industry.
The five (plus) definite sections your resume for a sous chef job should include are:
- Header with your headline, contact details, and/or a preview of your work
- Summary (or objective) to pinpoint how your success aligns with the role
- Experience with bullets of your most relevant achievements in the field
- Skills to integrate vital job requirements (both technical and personal)
- Your further dedication to the field, showcased via relevant higher education and/or certifications
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- In-depth knowledge of food preparation and kitchen operations, including safety and sanitation regulations.
- Proven leadership experience and the ability to manage and train kitchen staff effectively.
- Experience with menu planning, inventory management, and cost control to maintain kitchen efficiency and budget adherence.
- Continuous learning mindset with a history of enhancing culinary skills and staying updated with current food trends.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills for collaborating with the executive chef, other cooks, and front-of-house staff to ensure high-quality dining experiences.
What to include in the experience section of your sous chef resume
The resume experience section is perhaps the most important element in your application as it needs to showcase how your current profile matches the job.
While it may take some time to perfect your sous chef experience section, here are five tips to keep in mind when writing yours:
- Assess the advert to make a list of key requirements and look back on how each of your past jobs answers those;
- Don't just showcase you know a particular skill, instead, you need proof in the form of tangible results (e.g. numbers, percent, etc.);
- It's perfectly fine to leave off experience items that don't bring anything extra to your skill set or application;
- Recruiters want to understand what the particular value is of working with you, so instead of solely featuring technologies, think about including at least one bullet that's focused on your soft skills;
- Take care with wording each bullet to demonstrate what you've achieved, using a particular skill, and an action verb.
The below sous chef resume examples can help guide you to curate your professional experience, following industry-leading tips and advice.
- Managed a team of 10 cooks, improving kitchen efficiency by 25% through an overhaul of food prep procedures and staff training initiatives.
- Spearheaded the development of a seasonal menu featuring locally sourced ingredients, boosting restaurant ratings by 2 points on Zomato.
- Implemented a waste reduction strategy that saved the restaurant $3,000 annually and enhanced sustainability practices.
- Orchestrated service operations for a fast-paced kitchen, consistently delivering over 150 meals per night with a 99% customer satisfaction rate.
- Cultivated a farm-to-table program in partnership with local farmers, diversifying menu options and supporting the regional agricultural economy.
- Conducted monthly culinary workshops for kitchen staff, elevating the team's cooking skills and fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
- Revitalized underperforming menu items, leading to a 30% increase in dish popularity and contributing to a record-breaking quarter in sales.
- Collaborated with the head chef in culinary competitions, winning 'Best Dish' at the Taste of Chicago event, and gaining citywide recognition.
- Optimized supplier relationships, negotiating a 10% discount on bulk ingredient purchases, enhancing the profitability of the kitchen.
- Directed a cross-functional initiative to revamp the dessert menu, resulting in a 20% uptick in dessert sales and a featured article in 'Pastry Arts Magazine'.
- Implemented a rotational chef training program, leading to a more versatile kitchen staff and a reduction in employee turnover by 15%.
- Managed inventory control protocols, reducing food spoilage rates by 40% and significantly cutting kitchen overhead costs.
- Introduced a line of signature sauces that increased customer spending by $5 per cover and differentiated the restaurant in a competitive market.
- Partnered with beverage managers to pair dishes with an optimal wine selection, enhancing the dining experience and growing wine sales by 22%.
- Led a kitchen equipment upgrade that improved cook times by 15%, thereby reducing customer wait times during peak hours.
- Created a highly praised vegan menu option that captured a new market segment and increased overall covers by 18% within six months.
- Pioneered a culinary internship program with local culinary schools, which provided a steady pipeline of skilled kitchen staff.
- Streamlined plating procedures to enhance presentation and consistency, resulting in a 5-star average rating from food critics.
- Developed a series of fusion dishes that became the centerpiece of the new menu, contributing to a 35% growth in YOY restaurant profits.
- Implemented a real-time inventory tracking system that reduced ingredient waste by 50%, optimizing expenses.
- Mentored junior chefs, cultivating a team that earned the restaurant a coveted place in the 'Top 50 Restaurants' list by 'Restaurant Magazine'.
- Led the design of a new tapas menu, which increased customer dwell time by 30 minutes on average, fostering higher beverage sales.
- Established supplier partnerships that ensured the procurement of high-quality seafood at a competitive price, increasing gross margins by 12%.
- Coordinated with the front-of-house team to improve the customer service workflow, contributing to a 10% rise in repeat business.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Detail the number of kitchen staff you have managed or trained to show leadership and team-building skills.
- Specify the number of dishes you have developed or contributed to for highlighting creativity and innovation.
- Include the percentage by which you reduced waste or costs through efficient management to demonstrate financial acumen.
- List the number of stations or types of cuisine you are proficient with to show versatility and expertise.
- Mention the volume of food prepared or served during high-traffic periods to reflect your ability to work under pressure.
- Quantify any improvements in service speed or customer satisfaction ratings to illustrate your impact on operations.
- State the size of inventory you managed and how you optimized stock levels to show organizational and planning skills.
- Highlight any increases in event bookings or services provided under your tenure to show business growth contribution.
Action verbs for your sous chef resume
What if my sous chef experience doesn't match the requirements?
You've just graduated from college and may have no real world job experience . What should you include within your resume then?
Instead of making up information or adding irrelevant past jobs (e.g. your on-campus work during freshman year), you can:
- Shift the focus from your professional experience to your community impact with your volunteer work. This would showcase numerous soft skills you've built over time (e.g. interpersonal communication);
- Highlight the projects you've completed, as part of your coursework, or, on your own. Thus, you will align your technical background with recruiters' requirements;
- Consider spotlighting your transferrable skills. Or, what lessons and talents your current professional and personal experience has taught you and how they could benefit your potential employers;
- Even if you've had a few months of internship experience, that is relevant for the role, make sure to include this. Recruiters do care about the years of experience you happen to have, but, at the end of the day, your profile would also be assessed based on role alignment.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
The more trusted the organization you've attained your certificate (or degree) from, the more credible your skill set would be.
Sous Chef resume skills section: writing about your hard skills and soft skills
Recruiters always care about the skill set you'd bring about to the Sous Chef role. That's why it's a good idea to curate yours wisely, integrating both hard (or technical) and soft skills. Hard skills are the technology and software you're apt at using - these show your suitability for the technical aspect of the role. They are easy to track via your experience, certifications, and various resume sections. Your soft skills are those personality traits you've gained over time that show how you'd perform in the specific team, etc. Soft skills are more difficult to qualify but are definitely worth it - as they make you stand out and show your adaptability to new environments. How do you build the skills section of your resume? Best practices point that you could:
- Include up to five or six skills in the section as keywords to align with the advert.
- Create a specific technical skills section to highlight your hard skills aptitude.
- Align the culture of the company you're applying to with your soft skills to determine which ones should be more prominent in your skills section.
- Make sure you answer majority of the job requirements that are in the advert within your skills section.
A Sous Chef's resume requires a specific skill set that balances both industry-specific hard skills with personal, soft skills. Discover the perfect mix for the Sous Chef role from our list:
Top skills for your sous chef resume:
Professional cooking
Kitchen management
Food safety and hygiene
Menu planning
Cost control and inventory
Baking and pastry techniques
Butchery skills
Culinary arts
Food presentation and plating
Knowledge of various cuisines
Leadership
Teamwork
Time management
Communication
Stress management
Adaptability
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Creativity
Motivation
PRO TIP
Always remember that your sous chef certifications can be quantified across different resume sections, like your experience, summary, or objective. For example, you could include concise details within the expertise bullets of how the specific certificate has improved your on-the-job performance.
Listing your education and certifications on your sous chef resume
Don't underestimate the importance of your resume education section . As it may hint at various skills (and experience) that are relevant to the job. When writing your education section:
- Include only higher education degrees with information about the institution and start/end dates
- If you're in the process of obtaining your degree, include your expected graduation date
- Consider leaving off degrees that aren't relevant to the job or industry
- Write a description of your education if it presents you with an opportunity to further showcase your achievements in a more research-focused environment
When describing your certifications on your resume, always consider their relevancy to the role. Use the same format to describe them as you would for your education. If you're wondering what the best certificates out there are for sous chef roles, check out the list below.
The top 5 certifications for your sous chef resume:
- Certified Sous Chef (CSC) - American Culinary Federation (ACF)
- Food Safety Manager Certification (FSMC) - National Restaurant Association
- Professional Chef Certification (PCC) - Culinary Institute of America (CIA)
- Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA) - American Culinary Federation (ACF)
- ProChef Level II Certification - Culinary Institute of America (CIA)
PRO TIP
Bold the names of educational institutions and certifying bodies for emphasis.
Recommended reads:
Your sous chef resume top one third: choosing between a resume summary or an objective
The top third of your resume is crucial, as recruiters might focus only on this section rather than reading the entire document. Therefore, it's important to carefully decide whether to include a resume summary or an objective.
- The resume summary encapsulates your most significant experiences, key achievements, and skills in the field. Ideal for candidates with substantial relevant experience, the summary previews what recruiters will find in the rest of your resume.
- The resume objective outlines your professional aspirations. It describes your career goals for the coming years and how you envision your role evolving in the prospective company. The resume objective is suitable if you have less professional experience and wish to emphasize various soft skills such as motivation, vision, and planning.
Explore some of the best examples of resume summaries and objectives from real-life professional resumes in the industry.
Resume summaries for a sous chef job
- With over seven years of dedicated experience in haute cuisine, I have honed my skills in French cooking techniques and led a team of junior chefs at the award-winning Parisian restaurant, Le Gourmet. My repertoire of creating complex dishes has earned critical acclaim, establishing me as a leader in the culinary arts who champions precision and creativity.
- As a former professional athlete with a passion for nutrition and a 5-year tenure coaching others in health, I bring a unique perspective to the sous chef role. My transition to the culinary world is marked by my keen understanding of the balance between taste and health, and an eagerness to apply my systematic approach to kitchen management.
- An accomplished pastry chef with 8 years of experience in high-volume bakeries, my move to sous chef comes with an exceptional ability to design, organize, and present desserts that delight customers. With extensive knowledge of ingredient procurement and inventory management, I'm prepared to contribute to savory and sweet menus alike.
- Having spent a decade in hospitality management, I have mastered the art of client service and team coordination, skills I am excited to transfer into my new journey as a sous chef. My background ensures a customer-focused approach to culinary excellence, with a strong emphasis on building seamless front and back-of-house relations.
- As an individual making a foray into the culinary world, I am eager to bring my passion for world cuisines and dedication to learning new cooking techniques. I aim to apply my strong organizational skills and commitment to quality in assisting a kitchen team to deliver exceptional dining experiences.
- Seeking to blend my enthusiasm for global gastronomy with professional kitchen operations, I aim to employ my quick-learning abilities and meticulous attention to detail as an apprentice sous chef in a dynamic cooking environment. My objective is to contribute to the chefs’ team while absorbing culinary knowledge and hands-on experience.
Beyond your sous chef resume basics - extra sections
Ensure your sous chef resume stands out from the crowd by spicing it up with a couple of supplementary sections that showcase your:
- Prizes - as a special nod to what matters most in the field;
- Projects - ones that would really further support your application;
- Hobbies - include only if you think they'd further your chances at landing the role with personality
- Community impact - to hint at the causes you care about.
Key takeaways
- Pay special attention to the tiny details that make up your sous chef resume formatting: the more tailored your application to the role is, the better your chances at success would be;
- Select the sections you include (summary or objective, etc.) and formatting (reverse-chronological, hybrid, etc.) based on your experience level;
- Select experience items and, consequently, achievements that showcase you in the best light and are relevant to the job;
- Your profile will be assessed both based on your technical capabilities and personality skills - curate those through your resume;
- Certifications and education showcase your dedication to the particular industry.
