Why this resume works
- Quantifies accomplishments: By including measurable accomplishments like a 15% reduction in costs and 25% faster orders, the applicant conveys their impact and value.
- Showcases career progression: The resume illustrates impressive career growth from managing $50,000 budgets to improving guest satisfaction by 30%, showing a trajectory of increasing responsibility.
- Uses action-oriented language: Strong action verbs such as “cut,” “trained,” and “improved” convey the applicant’s initiative and effectiveness.
More Food Service Resume Examples
Our food service resume examples show how to highlight your culinary skills, teamwork, and customer service experience. Use these samples to craft a resume that showcases your strengths and positions you as a strong applicant in the food industry.
Server Resume
Why this resume works
- Centers on academic background: Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from UC Berkeley, the applicant’s educational achievements set a strong foundation for success in hospitality management early in their career.
- Puts skills at the forefront: The resume uses a skills-based resume format to spotlight essential skills like customer service and teamwork, important for entry-level roles.
- Shows digital literacy: By managing cash transactions daily, the applicant showcases practical computer skills necessary for modern work settings.
Assistant Restaurant Manager Resume
Why this resume works
- Points to measurable outcomes: Showcasing 20% sales growth and $10,000 waste reduction, the applicant effectively provides evidence of their compelling management in restaurant operations.
- Displays technical expertise: Leveraging certifications like Food Safety Manager and Certified Restaurant Manager, the applicant showcases specialized expertise important for maintaining high standards in hospitality environments.
- Demonstrates language abilities: Language skills in Spanish, French, and German improve customer interactions and are key in diverse dining settings.
Restaurant Manager Resume
Why this resume works
- Showcases impressive accomplishments: Showcasing achievements such as increasing food sales by 25% and managing costs highlights senior-level performance, reflecting significant business impact.
- Focuses on work history: Using a chronological resume format effectively emphasizes extensive career experience, mapping a clear progression from assistant manager to restaurant manager.
- Sections are well-organized: The use of bullet points and headers ensures sections are easy to scan, making the resume reader-friendly and well-organized for quick information retrieval.
Explore Even More Food Service Resumes
Food Service Resume Template (Text Version)
Michael Williams
Dallas, TX 75203
(555)555-5555
Michael.Williams@example.com
Professional Summary
Experienced food service specialist adept in cost management, staff training, and order efficiency. Strong leadership skills and customer service expertise enhance client satisfaction and drive sales.
Work History
Food Service Specialist
The Urban Fork – Dallas, TX
January 2023 – August 2025
- Cut food costs by 15% through efficient inventory
- Trained 10+ staff in customer service techniques
- Improved order delivery time by 25%
Hospitality Coordinator
Maple Leaf Dining – Dallas, TX
March 2019 – December 2022
- Enhanced guest satisfaction by 30%
- Supervised a team of 8 kitchen staff
- Increased table turnover rate by 20%
Restaurant Supervisor
Sunset Grill – Austin, TX
March 2014 – February 2019
- Managed $50,000 monthly budgets
- Reduced food wastage by 10% monthly
- Boosted social media followers by 50%
Skills
- Customer Service
- Team Leadership
- Inventory Management
- Food Safety Protocols
- Cost Control
- Order Accuracy
- Menu Development
- Time Management
Education
Master of Business Administration Hospitality Management
University of Washington Seattle, WA
June 2014
Bachelor of Arts Food Service Management
Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA
June 2012
Certifications
- Certified Food Manager – National Restaurant Association
- Hospitality Management Professional – American Hotel & Lodging Association
Languages
- Spanish – Beginner (A1)
- French – Beginner (A1)
- Japanese – Beginner (A1)
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Advice for Writing Your Food Service Resume
Dive into our tailored tips on how to write a resume for food service positions, and learn how to present yourself as the ideal applicant in this fast-paced field. Discover how to highlight your culinary skills, teamwork, and customer service experience effectively.
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.
Typically three to four sentences long, a professional summary outlines your experience, skills, and achievements. It is ideal for applicants who have significant experience in their field. The purpose is to showcase your professional identity and the value you bring to the table. This section should be action-oriented, highlighting what you’ve accomplished in previous roles.
In contrast, resume objectives focus on career goals and are best suited for entry-level positions, career changers, or those with employment gaps. They express “what I aim to contribute” rather than “what I’ve accomplished,” making them more forward-looking.
Now that we’ve discussed the differences between summaries and objectives, let’s explore examples tailored to various industries and experience levels to help you craft an effective introduction for your food service role. See our library of resume examples for additional inspiration.
Food service resume summary examples
Entry-level
Recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in hospitality management, eager to launch a career in food service. Completed an internship at a high-volume restaurant, gaining foundational skills in food preparation and customer interaction. Certified in ServSafe Food Handler, known for attention to detail and enthusiasm for creating memorable dining experiences.
Mid-career
Food service professional with over five years of experience in both casual dining and fast-paced environments. Proven track record of improving guest satisfaction through efficient service and quality control. Skilled in team collaboration, task prioritization, and inventory management. Recognized for implementing cost-saving measures that improved profitability while maintaining high standards of customer service.
Experienced
Seasoned food service manager with expertise in overseeing operations across multiple restaurant locations. Strong leadership abilities demonstrated by successfully managing teams exceeding 50 staff members and driving revenue growth year-over-year. Specializes in strategic menu planning, vendor negotiations, and streamlining processes to maximize efficiency without compromising on quality or customer satisfaction.
Food service resume objective examples
Entry-level
Detail-oriented and enthusiastic entry-level food service worker eager to bring excellent customer service skills and a passion for the culinary arts to a dynamic restaurant team. Committed to ensuring a positive dining experience for guests while learning and growing within the industry.
Career changer
Dedicated professional transitioning into the food service industry with strong organizational skills and a background in hospitality management. Eager to apply customer relations expertise and teamwork abilities to contribute effectively in a fast-paced kitchen or dining environment.
Recent graduate
Recent culinary arts graduate with hands-on training in food preparation and kitchen operations seeking an entry-level position in a reputable restaurant. Passionate about delivering quality dishes and improving guest satisfaction through attention to detail and creative presentation.
Try our Resume Builder to quickly make a polished resume for food service jobs. It’s easy to use and gives you templates that highlight your skills and experience.
Include relevant certifications and training
For a food service job, showcasing certifications and training is essential because they demonstrate specialized skills and knowledge that employers value. These credentials prove that you can work safely, efficiently, and in compliance with health standards—qualities that are critical in kitchens and restaurants.
They also help your resume stand out from candidates who may not have the same qualifications. Create a dedicated certifications section on your resume to highlight them clearly. Common examples include:
- ServSafe Food Handler
- ServSafe Manager Certification
- Certified Professional in Food Safety (CPFS)
- Food Protection Manager Certification
- Allergen Awareness Training
Including certifications like these strengthens your resume by showing you’re prepared, safety-conscious, and ready to meet industry requirements. Positioning them near your Education section makes it easy for hiring managers to quickly recognize your qualifications and see the value you bring to their team.
Example of a certifications section
ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
Issued by: National Restaurant Association
Expires 2025
Certified Culinarian (CC)
Issued by: American Culinary Federation (ACF)
Issued 2022
Food Handler Certification
Issued by: State Health Department
Expires 2024
Allergen Awareness Training
Issued by: ServSafe
Issued 2023
Alcohol Server Permit
Issued by: Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
Expires 2026
Opt for a polished and well-organized resume template that effectively showcases your skills and qualifications to stand out to hiring managers in your field.
Showcase your work experience
Highlighting your work experience on a resume is important as it informs employers about your past achievements and how you can contribute to their organization now.
When detailing experiences for a food service role, start with the most recent job first to immediately showcase your current skills and abilities. For each position, list your job title, employer’s name, location, and employment dates so hiring managers can easily trace your career path.
Describe your work experience using clear and action-oriented language. Use words like “managed,” “organized,” or “improved” to demonstrate active involvement in your roles.
Additionally, mentioning measurable results from previous jobs can be beneficial. Instead of stating “helped customers,” specify accomplishments such as “served over 100 customers daily” or “increased customer satisfaction by 20%.” Incorporating numbers makes achievements more impressive and tangible.
Incorporate core responsibilities relevant to food service, like preparing meals, taking orders, handling cash transactions, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring customer satisfaction. These skills indicate that you’re prepared to undertake similar tasks in new positions. By structuring this information effectively, you’ll enable employers to quickly understand why you’re an excellent fit for their team in food service roles.
5 food service work history bullet points
- Managed daily operations in a high-volume restaurant, ensuring timely service and customer satisfaction.
- Trained and supervised 15 new employees, improving team efficiency by 25%.
- Implemented a new inventory system, reducing food waste by 20% and cutting costs.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly, maintaining a 95% positive feedback rate.
- Coordinated with kitchen staff to streamline order processing, decreasing average wait time by 10 minutes.
Selecting a resume format that highlights customer service skills, efficiency, and teamwork can effectively showcase your strengths in the food service industry.
Match your resume with the job description
Tailoring your resume to the job description is essential because it helps you stand out to employers and ensures you pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
These systems scan resumes for specific keywords and phrases from job postings, making it important to match your skills with what the employer is looking for. An ATS-friendly resume includes keywords and phrases that align with your skills and experiences. By carefully incorporating these terms, you increase the chances of getting noticed by hiring managers who rely on ATS to filter applications.
To identify keywords from job postings, pay attention to skills, qualifications, and duties mentioned repeatedly. Look for specific examples like “customer service,” “food preparation,” or “team collaboration.”
Integrate these terms naturally into your content. For instance, if a job description states “assist in food preparation,” rewrite a previous role as “assisted in food preparation to maintain quality standards.” This approach keeps the language authentic while highlighting relevant skills.
Customize your resume to improve ATS compatibility by aligning closely with what employers seek. This strategy improves your chance of moving forward in the hiring process and landing an interview.
You can use our ATS Resume Checker to scan your resume for potential issues and receive on-the-spot feedback to improve your resume score.
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my food service resume?
Including a cover letter with your food service resume can improve your application and boost your chances of landing an interview.
A cover letter allows you to highlight enthusiasm for the role and demonstrate understanding of the restaurant or company’s values, which matters in the food service industry.
For example, if a restaurant emphasizes sustainability or farm-to-table practices, you can convey your passion and any relevant experience related to those initiatives.
Consider using our Cover Letter Generator to create a tailored cover letter that aligns with the job description and effectively showcases your skills.
Additionally, reviewing cover letter examples can offer inspiration and guidance on structuring your letter to make it more compelling.
How long should a food service resume be?
For a food service role, a concise one-page resume is often ideal, especially if you’re early in your career or focusing on entry-level positions.
This length allows you to highlight key skills such as teamwork, customer service, and familiarity with kitchen operations without overwhelming the reader.
However, if you have extensive experience or specialized certifications relevant to food service management or culinary arts, a two-page resume might be more appropriate.
This lets you fully showcase your leadership roles or achievements within the industry while maintaining clarity.
Consider exploring guides on how long a resume should be for additional examples and tips tailored to your career stage and aspirations.
How do you write a food service resume with no experience?
Writing a resume with no experience for food service can seem daunting. Focus instead on your skills and relevant activities that demonstrate your potential in the role. Here are a few tips:
- Highlight transferable skills: Emphasize abilities like teamwork, communication, and customer service. These are important in food service roles and can be gained from volunteering or group projects.
- Include education and training: Mention any courses related to hospitality or food safety. If you have a high school diploma or GED, list it along with any relevant classes.
- Leverage volunteer work or hobbies: If you’ve ever helped organize events, volunteered at community kitchens, or have a knack for cooking at home, these experiences can showcase your passion for the industry.
For more ideas on building your resume with no experience, check out our guide on writing a resume with no experience for entry-level job seekers in the culinary and hospitality fields.
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