Free Mid-level chef resume (2026)

Start with a clear header that includes your name, contact details, and a short location line. Include links to a professional profile or kitchen portfolio if you have photos or a menu sample, and keep contact details current so recruiters can reach you quickly.

Follow the header with a two to three sentence summary that frames you as a mid-level chef, states your years of experience, and highlights one or two strengths such as line management or menu development. This summary guides the reader and sets expectations before they dive into your work history.

Use a summary instead of an objective when you have several years of experience to show. A summary tells hiring managers what you bring, while an objective tells them what you want, and summaries work better for mid-level roles.

Write a summary like this, and tailor it per job. Example: "Line cook and sous chef support with six years in high-volume bistro and hotel kitchens, experienced in garde manger and hot line management, focused on consistency and staff training." Keep language concrete and avoid vague claims.

List jobs in reverse chronological order and focus on accomplishments rather than duties. For each role include the restaurant name, your title, dates, and a three to five bullet list of achievements that show impact, such as cost control, menu items launched, or team size supervised.

Use action verbs and numbers when you can, without inventing data. Good bullets might read, "Managed a four-person line during service for 200 covers nightly," or "Reduced food waste by improving prep processes, saving estimated prep time and cost." Be honest and specific about your role.

Create a skills section that balances hard culinary skills and soft leadership skills, placing technical skills first. Include items like knife skills, sauce technique, butchery, food safety certification, inventory control, and small team leadership to show you can run a station and help train staff.

List certifications with issuing body and year, such as ServSafe or local food handler certification. If you have wine, pastry, or specialized training include it, and only list skills you can demonstrate in a shift or on a trial service.

Put culinary school, apprenticeships, and relevant short courses in a concise education block with school name, credential, and completion year. If you trained on the job, note the program or mentorship and highlight transferable classroom and kitchen skills learned during that time.

If you attended workshops or competitions, list them selectively to support your story. Keep this section brief compared with work history, unless you are a recent graduate.

Choose a clean layout that prints well and reads easily on mobile, with readable fonts and clear section headings. Avoid heavy graphics and embedded tables that can break applicant tracking systems, and save a text-first PDF for applications when possible.

Match keywords from the job posting in your experience and skills sections, but keep sentences natural and specific. For example, if the posting asks for "banquet experience," include a short bullet noting your banquet service duties and average event size.

Use concise bullets that show process and result, with two to three short clauses if needed. Good structure is: action, context, outcome.

For example: "Trained three junior cooks on prep standards, improving line speed and reducing order errors during dinner service." This tells what you did, where, and why it helped.

Other examples you can adapt include: "Developed seasonal specials that increased weekend covers," "Managed vendor relationships and weekly ordering for a 120-seat dining room," and "Led mise en place system that reduced service delays by improving station organization." Keep bullets active and measurable when possible.

For each application, edit two to four bullets so they map to the most important requirements in the job posting. This shows you read the listing and that your experience aligns with the role, which helps in both ATS scans and human reviews.

Before sending, proofread for spelling and consistency, check dates and job titles, and save a copy with your name in the filename. If you can, run a quick read-aloud to catch awkward phrasing and ask a trusted peer to scan for clarity.