Line Cook Resume Examples & Templates for 2025

Explore line cook resume examples that showcase cooking skills and teamwork in busy kitchens. Browse tips to help you highlight your experience and stand out to employers.

By Toni Frana, CPRW, Career Expert Last Updated: October 07, 2024

More Line Cook Resume Examples

Explore our line cook resume examples to learn how to spotlight your culinary skills, kitchen experience, and teamwork ability. Use these culinary resume samples to craft a resume that meets industry standards and showcases your expertise.

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Line Cook Resume Template (Text Version)

Chris Singh

San Francisco, CA 94111
(555)555-5555
Chris.Singh@example.com

Professional Summary

Experienced line cook with a knack for optimizing kitchen operations and enhancing customer satisfaction. Proven ability to boost sales and maintain high food safety standards.

Work History

Line Cook
CulinaryCraft Kitchen – San Francisco, CA
January 2023 – October 2025

  • Managed food prep for 50+ daily customers.
  • Enhanced dishes, boosting sales by 20%.
  • Maintained kitchen hygiene standards.

Kitchen Assistant
Gourmet Delight Bistro – Lakeside, CA
February 2021 – December 2022

  • Streamlined inventory, reducing waste by 15%.
  • Supported chef in high-demand services.
  • Optimized kitchen workflow efficiency.

Food Preparation Specialist
Savory Sensations Cafe – Los Angeles, CA
January 2020 – January 2021

  • Served 200+ meals weekly with quality.
  • Developed new menu items, increasing sales.
  • Ensured compliance with food safety norms.

Languages

  • Spanish – Intermediate (B1)
  • French – Beginner (A1)
  • Italian – Beginner (A1)

Skills

  • Culinary Expertise
  • Time Management
  • Food Safety Protocol
  • High-Pressure Adaptability
  • Customer Interfacing
  • Menu Planning
  • Team Collaboration
  • Inventory Management

Certifications

  • Certified Line Cook – American Culinary Federation
  • Food Safety Manager – National Registry of Food Safety Professionals

Education

Associate Culinary Arts
Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park, NY
December 2019

High School Diploma General Studies
Liberty High School New York, NY
December 2017

Advice for Writing Your Line Cook Resume

Discover our tips on how to write a resume tailored specifically for line cooks. Learn how to highlight your culinary skills, kitchen experience, and passion for creating delicious meals.

Culinary Video Thumbnail

Write a strong professional summary

A professional summary on a resume serves as an introduction for hiring managers, providing a snapshot of your skills and accomplishments. You can decide whether to use a summary or a resume objective based on your experience level and career goals. 

A professional summary is particularly beneficial for those with substantial work history because it highlights your professional identity and the value you bring to the job. By emphasizing your expertise in food preparation and teamwork, this section emphasizes why you’re a strong fit for the role.

Conversely, a resume objective focuses on your career goals and is better suited for those just starting, switching fields, or with gaps in their work history. While summaries emphasize “what I’ve accomplished,” objectives highlight “what I aim to contribute.”

We’ll share examples of both summaries and objectives tailored for different industries and experience levels. Explore our professional resume examples for additional inspiration.

Line cook resume summary examples

Entry-level
Recent culinary arts graduate with a focus on modern cooking techniques and food safety standards. Completed an internship at a high-volume restaurant, gaining foundational skills in meal preparation, ingredient handling, and kitchen sanitation. Certified in ServSafe Food Handler and eager to contribute to a dynamic kitchen team while honing culinary skills.

Mid-career
Line cook with over five years of experience in fast-paced, high-volume kitchens. Proficient in creating diverse menus, managing inventory, and maintaining quality control during peak service hours. Known for consistent execution of dishes and ability to work collaboratively with chefs and kitchen staff. Holds advanced knowledge of international cuisines and seasonal ingredients.

Experienced
Accomplished line cook with 10+ years of experience in fine dining establishments. Expert in menu development, recipe creation, and leading kitchen teams to deliver exceptional dining experiences. Proven track record in reducing food costs through efficient inventory management and supplier negotiations. Passionate about mentoring junior cooks and fostering innovative culinary practices.

Line cook resume objective examples

Recent culinary graduate
Passionate and creative recent culinary school graduate seeking an entry-level line cook position to use culinary techniques and food safety knowledge in a fast-paced kitchen environment. Eager to contribute to a team by preparing high-quality dishes and delivering exceptional dining experiences.

Career changer
Dedicated professional transitioning from customer service into the culinary field, with strong organizational skills and a keen interest in cooking. Seeking an opportunity as a line cook to apply teamwork abilities and attention to detail while learning new culinary techniques in a supportive kitchen setting.

Aspiring chef
Aspiring chef with hands-on experience gained through volunteer work at community events, aiming for an entry-level line cook role to further develop cooking skills and knowledge of kitchen operations. Committed to contributing creativity and enthusiasm in crafting memorable meals alongside experienced chefs.

Include relevant certifications and training

For a line cook, certifications are important because they show you have the skills to handle food safely and make dishes properly. They help employers know you can work well in a kitchen and follow rules about food safety. Having certifications can also set you apart from others who want the same job, showing that you’ve learned extra skills or techniques. Here are a few examples:

  • ServSafe Food Handler Certification
  • Culinary Arts Training Certificate
  • Nutrition and Food Safety Certification
  • Basic Pastry Techniques Certificate
  • Advanced Knife Skills Workshop

Listing these certifications on your resume gives proof of your abilities as a line cook. It shows you’re serious about your work and willing to learn more. These credentials can boost your profile alongside your formal education, making it easier for managers to trust that you’ll do a good job.

Example of a certifications section

ServSafe Food Handler Certification
Issued by: National Restaurant Association
Expires 2025

Certified Culinarian (CC)
Issued by: American Culinary Federation (ACF)
Issued 2023

Food Safety Manager Certification
Issued by: Prometric
Expires 2024

Allergen Awareness Certification
Issued by: National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
Issued 2022

First Aid and CPR Certification
Issued by: American Red Cross
Expires 2023

Showcase your work experience

Showcasing relevant work experience on a resume is essential for a line cook role because it helps employers see your hands-on skills and expertise in the kitchen. Your past jobs highlight your ability to handle the responsibilities of a busy restaurant environment. Formatting your work experience in reverse chronological order allows hiring managers to quickly see your most recent and relevant roles.

When listing your work experience, start with your job title, followed by the employer name, location, and employment dates. Use clear, action-oriented language to describe what you did. For example, instead of saying “responsible for cooking,” say “prepared and cooked meals according to recipes.”

Highlight measurable results to demonstrate how you contributed to previous workplaces. Mention specifics like “increased kitchen efficiency by 20%,” or “reduced food waste by implementing better inventory practices.”

Include core duties such as preparing ingredients, cooking dishes according to recipes, maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen, and working as part of a team. By clearly showing your relevant experience and skills on your resume, you can make a strong case that you’re the right fit for the line cook position.

5 line cook work history bullet points

  • Prepared and cooked menu items according to recipes, maintaining a 98% customer satisfaction rate.
  • Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure efficient workflow, reducing order wait times by 15%.
  • Managed inventory levels and conducted weekly audits, cutting food waste by 10%.
  • Trained and mentored 3 new line cooks, improving team productivity by 25%.
  • Implemented updated cooking techniques that improved dish flavor profiles, boosting repeat customer visits by 20%.

Match your resume with the job description

Tailoring resumes to job descriptions is essential because it helps job seekers stand out and ensures their resume passes through applicant tracking systems (ATS). ATS software scans for specific keywords and phrases from job postings, so matching these can significantly boost your chances of getting noticed.

An ATS-friendly resume includes keywords and phrases that align with a person’s skills and experiences. By incorporating these terms, applicants increase the likelihood of their resume being reviewed by hiring managers.

To identify keywords from job postings, examine the skills, qualifications, and duties mentioned repeatedly. Look for specific examples such as “food preparation,” “menu planning,” or “kitchen safety,” highlighting the importance of using exact phrases found in the posting.

Incorporate these terms naturally into your content to customize your resume. For example, rephrase a duty like “Prepare meals efficiently” into “Efficiently prepared meals to ensure customer satisfaction,” ensuring it flows well within your work history.

FAQ

Do I need to include a cover letter with my line cook resume?

Yes, including a cover letter with your line cook resume can improve your application and set you apart from other job seekers.

A cover letter gives you the opportunity to highlight your culinary skills, specific experience in different kitchen environments, and your passion for cooking.

For instance, if the restaurant specializes in a particular cuisine or has a unique dining concept, you can discuss how your background aligns with their needs and culture.

Consider using our Cover Letter Generator to craft a tailored cover letter that complements your resume by providing personalized content suggestions and formatting tips.

Additionally, reviewing cover letter examples for roles within the culinary industry can give you insights into crafting a compelling narrative that showcases your strengths as a line cook.

How long should a line cook’s resume be?

For a line cook, a one-page resume is typically sufficient to capture your culinary skills and relevant experience. Focus on key elements like your ability to work in fast-paced environments, knowledge of food safety standards, and skill with kitchen equipment.

If you have extensive experience or specialized culinary training, a two-page resume might be appropriate. Ensure every detail adds value by highlighting unique accomplishments or leadership roles in the kitchen.

Explore our guide on how long a resume should be for more insights into choosing the best format for your career journey.

How do you write a line cook resume with no experience?

If you’re crafting a resume with no experience for a line cook position, focus on highlighting your enthusiasm for the culinary field, along with transferable skills and relevant training.

  • Emphasize any food-related education or certifications: If you’ve taken culinary classes, completed food safety training like ServSafe, or attended workshops, list these prominently to show your commitment to learning.
  • Highlight transferable skills: Skills like teamwork, time management, multitasking, and working in fast-paced environments (even from unrelated jobs) are valuable in a kitchen setting. Mention them along with specific examples.
  • Include volunteer or personal cooking experience: If you’ve cooked at community events or regularly prepared meals for large groups at home, describe those experiences as they demonstrate practical skills and passion.
  • Showcase your eagerness to learn: Use a summary statement to express your dedication to growing in the culinary industry and contributing positively to the team.

Use these tips to turn your enthusiasm and potential into a strong line cook resume with no experience that grabs an employer’s attention.

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