Why this resume works
- Highlights industry-specific skills: Showcasing skills like menu development and food preparation, the applicant’s skills as a commis chef clearly align with industry needs.
- Quantifies accomplishments: Reducing waste by 15% and cutting costs by 8% annually are prime examples of how quantifying achievements can highlight an applicant’s impact and value.
- Uses action-oriented language: Action verbs such as “prepared”, “improved”, and “trained” illustrate initiative and effectiveness.
More Commis Chef Resume Examples
Browse our commis chef resume examples to discover how to highlight your culinary skills, teamwork, and kitchen experience. These culinary resume samples will guide you in creating a resume that impresses employers in the food industry.
Entry-Level Commis Chef
Why this resume works
- Effective use of keywords: Strategically weaving in role-specific keywords like “menu planning” and “cost control” ensures the resume passes applicant tracking systems (ATS) efficiently.
- Centers on academic background: The applicant’s education is prominently showcased to emphasize their foundational academic achievements early in their culinary career.
- Maximizes readability: Effective use of whitespace and consistent formatting allow recruiters and ATS to quickly scan the resume.
Mid-Level Commis Chef
Why this resume works
- Includes a mix of soft and hard skills: The applicant mixes technical prowess with interpersonal skills seamlessly, showcasing culinary expertise alongside effective team collaboration and customer service abilities.
- Demonstrates language abilities: The applicant’s language skills enrich cross-cultural interactions and support diverse culinary environments.
- Displays technical expertise: Technical expertise is evident through certifications in food safety management, improving ability to maintain high standards in a bustling kitchen environment.
Experienced Commis Chef
Why this resume works
- Focuses on work history: The applicant effectively outlines their career trajectory, showcasing growth from kitchen assistant to commis chef over 14 years.
- Showcases impressive accomplishments: The applicant’s accomplishments, like reducing kitchen waste by 20% and creating a best-selling menu item, reflect significant contributions to business success.
- Emphasizes leadership skills: Demonstrating leadership skills, the applicant coordinated staff schedules, improving team productivity and showing adeptness in managing operational dynamics.
Commis Chef Resume Template (Text Version)
Jackson Highes
Hillcrest, NY 11507
(555)555-5555
Jackson.Highes@example.com
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented commis chef with 8 years of experience. Proven track record in enhancing menu offerings and reducing costs. Skilled in food prep, kitchen safety, and inventory.
Work History
Commis Chef
Gourmet Palace – Hillcrest, NY
June 2022 – July 2025
- Prepared over 50 meals daily ensuring quality
- Reduced waste by 15% through efficient prep methods
- Enhanced menu offerings increasing sales by 10%
Junior Cook
Sunset Grill – Albany, NY
April 2018 – May 2022
- Assisted in menu planning improving customer satisfaction
- Maintained kitchen hygiene leading to zero violations
- Sourced ingredients cutting costs by 8% annually
Kitchen Assistant
Maple Leaf Dining – Buffalo, NY
July 2016 – March 2018
- Supported chefs in high-volume meal preparation
- Organized inventory maintaining stock accuracy
- Trained new staff improving efficiency by 20%
Skills
- Food Preparation
- Menu Development
- Inventory Management
- Culinary Techniques
- Kitchen Safety
- Customer Service
- Cost Control
- Team Collaboration
Education
Master of Culinary Arts Culinary Arts
Culinary Institute of America New York, NY
June 2015
Bachelor of Food Science Food Science
Le Cordon Bleu College Chicago, IL
June 2013
Certifications
- Certified Culinarian – American Culinary Federation
- Food Safety Manager – National Restaurant Association
Languages
- Spanish – Beginner (A1)
- French – Beginner (A1)
- Italian – Intermediate (B1)
Related Resume Guides
Advice for Writing Your Commis Chef Resume
Dive into our tips on how to write a resume for a commis chef position and discover how to present your culinary skills, kitchen experience, and passion for cooking. Let us guide you in crafting a resume that truly reflects your journey in the culinary world.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary on a resume introduces you to hiring managers, providing a snapshot of your skills and achievements.
A professional summary usually consists of three to four sentences highlighting experience, skills, and achievements. It’s suited for experienced applicants who want to quickly convey their professional identity and value. A strong summary for a commis chef might mention years in culinary arts, teamwork abilities, and key kitchen accomplishments.
In contrast, resume objectives state career goals and are perfect for entry-level workers or those changing careers. Unlike summaries, they focus on future contributions rather than past successes. For someone new to being a commis chef, an objective might express eagerness to learn and contribute in a fast-paced kitchen.
Now let’s explore examples of both summaries and objectives across experience levels to guide you further.
Commis chef resume summary examples
Entry-level
Recent culinary arts graduate with foundational training in food preparation, kitchen safety, and basic cooking techniques. Holds a ServSafe certification and has completed internships in fast-paced restaurant environments. Eager to contribute to team efforts by delivering consistent quality and maintaining high standards of cleanliness.
Mid-career
Commis chef with over three years of experience in fine dining settings, specializing in ingredient preparation, plating, and maintaining inventory accuracy. Skilled in assisting senior chefs during busy service hours and adapting to diverse kitchen operations. Recognized for attention to detail and ability to work efficiently under pressure while ensuring food quality standards.
Experienced
Highly skilled commis chef with over seven years of experience in high-volume kitchens, including Michelin-starred establishments. Expertise in international cuisines, advanced knife techniques, and mentoring junior staff. Proven track record of contributing to menu development and consistently meeting tight deadlines without compromising presentation or flavor.
Commis chef resume objective examples
Recent culinary graduate
Aspiring commis chef and recent culinary school graduate eager to bring strong foundational cooking skills and a passion for learning to a vibrant kitchen team. Committed to assisting chefs in meal preparation and contributing to creating exceptional dining experiences.
Career changer
Dedicated professional transitioning into the culinary field, with experience in high-pressure environments and a keen interest in food preparation. Seeking an entry-level commis chef position to apply organizational skills and creativity while supporting kitchen operations.
Culinary enthusiast
Passionate culinary enthusiast with self-taught cooking abilities looking to start a career as a commis chef. Excited to bring attention to detail and eagerness to learn new techniques while supporting senior chefs in delivering extraordinary dishes.
Create a standout commis chef resume easily with our Resume Builder; it offers tailored templates that highlight your culinary skills and experiences effectively!
Include relevant certifications and training
For a commis chef, listing certifications and training is important because it shows you have learned specific skills needed in the kitchen.
It helps employers know that you can handle tasks like food safety, prep work, and cooking techniques. Certifications can set you apart from others by highlighting your commitment to learning and improving in your role.
- Food Safety Certification
- Culinary Arts Certificate
- First Aid Training
- Allergen Awareness Training
- Basic Cooking Techniques Workshop
Adding these certifications in a dedicated section on your resume shows employers that you’re ready for the challenges of a kitchen environment. They help prove your readiness to learn and grow as a commis chef. This focus on training makes you a stronger team member in any culinary setting.
Example of a certifications section
Food Safety Level 2
Issued by: Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)
Issued 2021
First Aid at Work
Issued by: British Red Cross
Expires 2026
NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery
Issued by: City & Guilds
Issued 2020
Allergen Awareness Certification
Issued by: Highfield Qualifications
Issued 2023
Health and Safety in the Workplace Level 2
Issued by: Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH)
Expires 2025
Seeing professional resume examples from other commis chefs can help you get ideas on how to best showcase your qualifications and convince employers you’re the right fit for the role.
Showcase your work experience
Detailing your work experience helps employers see what you’ve done before and how it fits with the job they’re offering.
When you list your experiences, start with the most recent job and go backward. Include your job title, the name of the employer, where you worked, and the dates you were there. This makes it easy for hiring managers to follow your career path.
Use strong action words to describe what you did in each role. Instead of saying “helped in the kitchen,” say something like “assisted in preparing meals for over 100 guests daily.” Try to use numbers or specific results when you can; this shows exactly what you’ve achieved.
Highlight core responsibilities such as prepping ingredients, cooking under supervision, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring food safety standards are met.
By being clear about what you’ve done and using real examples from your past jobs, you’ll stand out more as a commis chef. Employers like to see not just that you’ve worked in kitchens before but also how well you’ve performed tasks similar to those you’d do in their restaurant. This approach helps them picture you on their team right away.
5 commis chef work history bullet points
- Prepared and plated dishes for a 150-seat restaurant, maintaining consistent quality under high-volume conditions.
- Assisted in menu preparation by executing ingredient prep tasks, reducing prep time by 20%.
- Ensured adherence to food safety standards, resulting in zero health inspection violations over two years.
- Collaborated with senior chefs to introduce seasonal menu items, increasing customer satisfaction scores by 15%.
- Trained 3 junior kitchen staff on basic cooking techniques, improving their efficiency by 25% within three months.
Choose a resume format that highlights your culinary skills, kitchen experience, and ability to work well with a team.
Match your resume with the job description
Tailoring resumes to job descriptions is essential because it makes job seekers stand out to employers and helps them pass through ATS. ATS scan resumes for specific keywords and phrases from job postings, so matching your resume to the job description increases your chances of getting noticed.
An ATS-friendly resume includes keywords and phrases that match the skills mentioned in the job posting. By incorporating these keywords, you boost your chances of being seen by hiring managers who use ATS to find suitable candidates quickly.
To identify keywords from job postings, look for skills, qualifications, and duties that are mentioned multiple times. For example, if you’re applying for a commis chef position, you might find repeated terms like ‘food preparation,’ ‘kitchen assistance,’ or ‘culinary skills.’ Using these exact phrases is important for passing through an ATS.
Incorporate these terms naturally into your resume content. For instance, instead of writing “Assisted with food preparation,” you can say “Provided kitchen assistance in food preparation” to align with the job description more closely.
Targeted resumes improve compatibility with ATS by ensuring that they contain the relevant language hiring managers are looking for. To increase your chances further, customize your resume for each application.
Boost your resume’s chance of getting noticed by using our ATS Resume Checker; it instantly scores your resume and provides improvement suggestions.
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my commis chef resume?
Yes, including a cover letter with your commis chef resume can strengthen your application and make you stand out.
A cover letter lets you highlight your passion for cooking, your dedication to the culinary field, and any relevant experience beyond what’s listed on your resume.
For example, if the restaurant specializes in a particular cuisine or has a unique dining concept, you can share why you’re excited about contributing to their team.
It’s also an opportunity to discuss specific skills like knife techniques, food preparation efficiency, or teamwork that align with what they’re looking for.
Check out cover letter examples for inspiration on how to show hiring managers you’re the right candidate for the position.
Consider using simple tools or templates like this Cover Letter Generator to craft a professional yet personal cover letter tailored to the role and establishment you’re applying for.
How long should a commis chef’s resume be?
For a commis chef, aim for a one-page resume that highlights your culinary skills and relevant experience in fast-paced kitchen environments. Focus on showcasing any formal training, such as culinary school or certifications, and emphasize key abilities like knife skills, food preparation, and teamwork.
If you have extensive experience or specialized culinary achievements, extending to a two-page resume is acceptable. Be sure every detail is directly related to your growth as a chef, emphasizing recent roles and accomplishments in professional kitchens.
Explore our guide on how long a resume should be for more examples and tips tailored to different career stages.
How do you write a commis chef resume with no experience?
If you’re putting together a commis chef resume without direct experience, focus on your culinary skills, education, and any practical training that highlights your potential in the kitchen. Follow these tips on creating a resume with no experience:
- Highlight your culinary education: Start with your culinary school or relevant courses. Include the institution’s name, graduation date, and any honors or special achievements.
- Showcase transferable skills: Even if you haven’t worked as a commis chef before, list skills such as knife techniques, food preparation knowledge, and understanding of kitchen safety protocols. If you’ve cooked at home extensively or for events like family gatherings, mention these experiences briefly.
- Include practical training: If you’ve completed internships or volunteer work in food service environments, detail what you learned and accomplished there. This could be assisting chefs, prepping ingredients, or maintaining cleanliness standards.
- Mention soft skills: Highlight attributes like teamwork, time management, and adaptability—essential traits for thriving in a fast-paced kitchen.
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