Line Cook Resume Examples & Templates
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Line cooks are the backbone of any efficient restaurant kitchen. They work under the supervision of the head or sous chef and specialize in one area of the kitchen, whether it’s chopping, grilling, sauteeing, frying, etc.
Below, you’ll find expert tips on writing an impressive line-cook resume that wins interviews and line-cook resume examples to help you get started.
Start by editing our line cook resume templates, or explore our library of resume templates to find the one that matches your style.
Line Cook Resume Example (Text Version)
Zachery Galarza
San Antonio, TX 78213
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Professional Summary
Experienced and dedicated line cook with over a decade of expertise in high-volume kitchens, consistently delivering high-quality dishes in fast-paced environments. Proven ability to manage multiple stations, maintain kitchen efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction. Known for reducing food waste by 15% and improving dish preparation times by 20%. Adept in collaborating with chefs and kitchen staff to create seamless service during peak hours.
Work History
Lead Line Cook, 11/2021 to Current
Hard Rock Cafe – San Antonio, TX
- Increase kitchen productivity by 30% by reorganizing prep stations and enhancing workflow efficiency during high-volume periods.
- Train five junior kitchen staff, improving team efficiency by 25% and maintaining high kitchen standards.
- Optimizing cooking techniques and fostering better communication between kitchen stations can reduce dish preparation time by 15%, ensuring smooth operations during peak service times.
Line Cook, 09/2017 to 10/2021
San Antonio Country Club – San Antonio, TX
- Maintained a 98% customer satisfaction rating by ensuring consistent presentation and quality of dishes.
- Implemented portion control strategies, reducing food waste by 12% and contributing to a 10% increase in profitability.
- Assisted in launching a new menu, leading to a 15% rise in repeat customer visits within the first quarter.
Prep Cook, 06/2013 to 08/2017
Magnolia Pancake Haus – San Antonio, TX
- Reduced prep time by 20% by streamlining ingredient organization and implementing efficient cutting techniques, ensuring all stations were fully prepared ahead of peak service hours.
- Minimized food waste by 15% through accurate portioning and proper storage of perishable ingredients, significantly reducing kitchen overhead costs.
- Ensured adherence to health and safety regulations, achieving a 100% passing score on all kitchen inspections.
Skills
- Menu creation and collaboration
- Food safety and sanitation
- Multi-station cooking expertise
- Time management
- Inventory and cost control
- Grilling techniques
- Team training and leadership
- Attention to detail
Education
Bachelor of Arts: Culinary Arts
Culinary Institute of America – San Antonio, TX
Certifications
- ServSafe Food Handler – (Current)
- Certified Professional in Food Safety – (Current)
Important Resume Sections
Contact Information
Begin writing your resume with a section at the top stating your contact details. Include the following:
- Full name
- City
- State
- ZIP Code
- Phone number
- Professional email address
If you have a LinkedIn profile, online portfolio or professional website, add those as well.
Resume Summary
A resume summary is a brief introduction summarizing your top skills and accomplishments to grab the hiring manager’s attention.
Here is a sample line cook resume summary:
“Detail-oriented line cook with over four years of experience in high-volume restaurant kitchens. Skilled in preparing a variety of cuisines with a strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation standards, and quality control. Adept at managing multiple stations, maintaining consistency in presentation, and working collaboratively with kitchen teams to ensure timely service during peak hours.”
If you’re just starting your career, use a line cook resume objective instead.
Skills
Your skills section is another opportunity to showcase your ability to perform the role. Include six to eight soft skills and hard skills relevant to the line cook position.
These are some line cook skills you can include in your resume:
- Food preparation: Line cooks must be experts in prepping ingredients, including chopping, marinating, and portioning, to ensure readiness before service.
- Cooking techniques: Proficiency in various cooking methods, such as grilling, sautéing, frying, and roasting, to prepare dishes according to specific recipes.
- Time management: Time management skills enable line cooks to work efficiently under pressure, handling multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
- Plating and presentation: Line cooks must be skilled in presenting dishes attractively, ensuring visual appeal while adhering to restaurant standards.
- Sanitation and food safety: Strong knowledge of food handling procedures, cleanliness, and health regulations is essential to maintain a safe and hygienic work environment.
- Team collaboration: Effective communication skills and cooperation with kitchen staff and chefs to ensure smooth operation and timely service during busy shifts.
Work History
Add your relevant employment experiences in reverse chronological order in your work history section. Use bullet points to display the restaurant’s names, dates and locations.
If applicable, include measurable accomplishments in each entry to show your ability to drive positive change and boost your chances of landing an interview. Here’s an example:
Line Cook | Boston Bistro
Boston, MA | June 2020 – Present- Prepared and executed high-quality dishes across grill, sauté, and fry stations in a fast-paced, 150-seat restaurant, serving up to 250 customers per shift.
- Assisted with menu development and implemented new seasonal dishes, resulting in a 15% increase in customer satisfaction scores based on online reviews.
- Reduced food waste by 10% through efficient inventory management and portion control, saving approximately $3,000 monthly.
Education
While line cooks are not required to have a culinary degree, most head chefs prefer cooks with formal knowledge of cooking techniques.
In your educational background, include any academic experience, training program or certification that prepared you for the line cook position. Write the institution’s name, location and graduation date. See how it might look:
Culinary Institute of America
Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts
2019
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Action Words for Your Resume
Action verbs reduce wordiness in your resume, communicate your impact on the job and convey confidence.
Consider adding these action verbs to your line cook resume:
- Arrange
- Assemble
- Cook
- Coordinate
- Execute
- Grill
- Manage
- Operate
- Organize
- Plate
- Prepare
- Process
- Reduce
- Sanitize
- Sautée
- Supervise
Browse our 800+ resume examples to gather inspiration for your line cook resume.
Best Skills for Your Resume
Carefully read the job description to identify key skills required for the position. Here are a few examples of line cook resume skills to include:
- Knife handling
- Grill operation
- Sautéing
- Food safety and sanitation
- Inventory management
- Problem-solving skills
- Portion control
- Recipe adherence
- Station setup and maintenance
- Menu development assistance
- Team collaboration
- Interpersonal skills
- Multitasking
- Quality control
- Plating
- Food preservation
- Critical thinking
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Certifications for Your Resume
If you still need to get a formal culinary degree, including certifications in your line cook resume can help you convince the employer you have the necessary knowledge and experience to perform well in the kitchen.
Here are some certifications a line cook might include in their resume:
- ServSafe Food Handler Certification
- Food Allergy Training Certification
- Certified Culinarian
- First Aid/CPR Certification
- Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate
Ensure to list the full name of the certification, the issuing organization and the date obtained. If you have multiple certifications, list them in a separate section.
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
FAQ
What is a Sample Job Description for a Line Cook?
A restaurant may post a job description for a line cook as follows:
“We seek a skilled and efficient line cook to prepare food according to the chef’s specifications and maintain quality and consistency in every dish. Responsibilities include:
- Setting up and stocking stations.
- Cooking and plating menu items.
- Operating kitchen equipment.
- Maintaining food safety standards.
The line cook will also assist with inventory management, minimize waste, and collaborate with other staff to ensure smooth service during busy hours. The ideal candidate has previous experience, strong multitasking and time management skills, knowledge of various cooking techniques, and flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
A ServSafe Food Handler certification is preferred.”
What’s the Best Format for a Line Cook Resume?
A standard line cook resume format is well-organized and maximizes readability. Follow these formatting tips to ensure your resume is optimized:
- Use bold headings and subheadings to divide resume sections.
- Select a professional font such as Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri.
- Write 10-12 points for body text and 14 points for headings.
- Present every resume section in reverse chronological order.
Check out our line cook resume sample to see what an efficient resume looks like.
How Can I Build My Resume If I Wish to Take the Next Step Forward in My Career?
Usually, the next big step after becoming a line cook is becoming a cook or sous-chef. To help you achieve this goal, look into gaining more experiences and expertise in these areas:
- More involvement in updating and perfecting menu items.
- Initiatives in kitchen management and cooking that went beyond your assigned responsibilities.
- More training in a variety of cuisines and cooking methods. Opportunities to assist in more areas of restaurant operations, including management and food inventory.
Best Practices
- Tailor your resume to the target line cook job.
- Include keywords from the job description throughout your resume.
- Format your resume so that it is easily readable by ATS software and human eyes.
- Use quantifiable accomplishments to highlight your innovative and proactive qualities.
- Create a generic line cook resume.
- Lie about your work experience or skills.
- Include irrelevant information such as ethnicity or age.
- Forget to proofread.
Interview Tips
Research the Restaurant
Understanding the restaurant’s specialty and personality will help you assess whether it’s the right fit for you and explain to the employer how you can contribute to the team.
Here are some key areas to focus on:
- Restaurant’s history: Learn how the chef got started, how long the restaurant has been open and whether it has any unique history.
- Culinary focus: Research the menu and try their food to understand their palate.
- Community: Find information on the restaurant’s ties to the community. Ask around to see what people think.
Practice Common Interview Questions
Although memorizing all your answers can be challenging, practicing common interview questions will boost your confidence and help you clarify what you want to convey during the interview.
Here are some common interview questions to consider:
Prepare Questions for the Interviewer
Interviewers always ask if you have any questions at the end of the interview, which you must do. This will help you evaluate if the role fits your career and shows keen interest.
Here are a few to consider:
- What are the team’s biggest strengths and challenges?
- How often does the restaurant change its menu?
- What is the kitchen culture like?
- How does the team collaborate during busy shifts?
- How do you ensure food safety and sanitation in the kitchen?
Bring References
Professional references will be handy if the hiring manager decides to proceed with your application. Create a list of two former colleagues and a former manager willing to vouch for your abilities to perform the line cook role.
CV examples for the next step in your culinary career
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Line Cook Resume
Natalia is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She is committed to helping job seekers navigate the job market and succeed in their careers.
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