A well-crafted kitchen manager resume is essential to securing a position in the fast-paced world of food service.

As the leader of a kitchen team, you need to demonstrate both strong culinary skills and the ability to manage operations, staff, and inventory.

In this article, we’ll provide examples and expert tips on how to highlight your experience, leadership, and problem-solving abilities to make your resume stand out to potential employers.

Kitchen manager resume examples

Executive kitchen manager resume sample

Executive kitchen manager resume template

Executive kitchen manager resume template
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Resume for executive kitchen managers | Plain text

John Daniels

  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Phone: (312) 555-8910
  • Email: john.daniels@email.com
  • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndaniels

Professional Summary

Accomplished Executive Chef with over 11 years of experience in high-end restaurants and hotels. Expert in menu development, team management, and delivering exceptional culinary experiences. Skilled in sourcing local ingredients, ensuring kitchen efficiency, and maintaining food cost control.

Work Experience

Executive Chef

The Peninsula Chicago – Chicago, IL

May 2017 – Present

  • Lead kitchen operations for the award-winning restaurant and banquet services, serving up to 300 guests per event.
  • Develop seasonal and tasting menus, incorporating local and international ingredients.
  • Supervise a team of 30+ kitchen staff, including sous chefs, line cooks, and kitchen assistants.
  • Improve food cost efficiency by 12% through strategic ingredient sourcing and portion control.
  • Awarded Michelin Star in 2020 for innovative menu design and exceptional food quality.

Executive Chef

Charlie Trotter’s – Chicago, IL

January 2013 – April 2017

  • Managed day-to-day kitchen operations for the renowned fine dining restaurant.
  • Designed and launched innovative, multi-course tasting menus that generated critical acclaim.
  • Reduced waste by implementing advanced inventory management systems and staff training programs.
  • Collaborated with local farmers to source the freshest ingredients for farm-to-table dishes.

Education

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts – Chicago, IL

Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Graduated 2008

Skills

  • Menu Development
  • Budgeting & Cost Control
  • Staff Training & Leadership
  • Food Safety & Sanitation
  • Fine Dining & Banquets
  • Farm-to-Table Sourcing

Certifications

  • ServSafe Manager Certification, 2020
  • Certified Executive Chef (CEC) – American Culinary Federation, 2015

Awards

  • Michelin Star, 2020
  • James Beard Award Nominee – Best Chef: Great Lakes, 2019
  • AAA Five Diamond Award – The Peninsula Chicago, 2018

Strong sides of this kitchen manager resume:

  • John has experience in fine dining and prestigious establishments, showing a track record of success at high levels of the culinary industry.
  • Achieving a Michelin Star and being a James Beard Award Nominee highlights his exceptional culinary talent and leadership.
  • His role as a volunteer instructor and advisory board member highlights dedication to giving back within the community.
How to properly format a resume for a kitchen manager?
  • Choose a clean, professional font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
  • Use a consistent font size—typically 11-12 pt for the body and 14-16 pt for section headings.
  • Avoid decorative fonts, as they can make the kitchen manager resume look unprofessional.
  • Keep your application to one page, especially if you have under 10 years of experience.
  • Ensure proper spacing between sections, using adequate white space to make the document easy to read.
  • Bullet points improve readability and help emphasize your accomplishments.
  • Submit your file in PDF format to preserve its formatting across different devices and software.

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Kitchen manager resume example

Sample kitchen manager resume

Emily Rivera

  • Location: San Francisco, CA
  • Phone: (415) 555-7632
  • Email: emily.rivera@email.com
  • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emilyrivera

Professional Summary

Dedicated Sous Chef with 8 years of experience in fast-paced, high-volume kitchens. Proven track record of supporting executive chefs in the preparation of high-quality meals and overseeing day-to-day kitchen operations. Adept in inventory management, staff supervision, and maintaining culinary standards in fine and casual dining environments.

Work Experience

Sous Chef

Boulevard Restaurant – San Francisco, CA

June 2019 – Present

  • Assist the executive chef in managing kitchen operations for this Michelin-starred restaurant.
  • Supervise a team of 15 kitchen staff, ensuring that food preparation meets the restaurant's high standards.
  • Collaborate on the creation of new menu items and seasonal specials.
  • Oversee inventory, ensuring fresh ingredients are consistently available while minimizing waste.
  • Train new hires on kitchen protocols, food safety, and sanitation procedures.

Sous Chef

Tartine Bakery & Manufactory – San Francisco, CA

March 2016 – May 2019

  • Managed daily operations in a high-volume kitchen, including supervising 10 kitchen staff.
  • Oversaw production for breakfast, lunch, and dinner service, ensuring timely and consistent food output.
  • Partnered with the executive chef to implement seasonal menus and refine existing recipes.
  • Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations, resulting in zero violations during tenure.

Education

The Culinary Institute of America – Hyde Park, NY

Bachelor of Professional Studies in Culinary Arts

Graduated 2015

Skills

  • Team Leadership
  • Inventory Management
  • Recipe Development
  • Kitchen Safety & Sanitation
  • Fine & Casual Dining
  • Staff Training

Technical Proficiencies

  • Inventory Software: ChefTec, MarketMan
  • Kitchen Equipment: Rational Ovens, Sous Vide, Thermomix
  • POS Systems: Toast, Aloha

Workshops & Training

  • Advanced Pastry Techniques. Ecole Lenôtre, Paris, 2022
  • Leadership in the Kitchen. San Francisco Cooking School, 2021
  • Fermentation & Preservation Techniques. Noma Fermentation Lab, Copenhagen, 2020

Languages

  • English (Native)
  • Spanish (Fluent)

Volunteer Experience

  • Guest Chef at SF-Marin Food Bank – Organized food drives and led cooking classes for low-income families.

Here are a few reasons why this example of a kitchen manager resume will impress recruiters:

  • Emily’s experience in both fine dining and high-volume kitchens showcases her versatility and ability to thrive in different environments.
  • She has a solid background in team leadership, supervising kitchen staff, and training new hires on protocols.
  • Proficiency with advanced kitchen equipment and inventory software enhances her value as a technically capable professional.
Should I choose a kitchen manager resume objective or summary?

A summary focuses on your past experience and what makes you an ideal candidate.

Kitchen manager resume summary example:

Results-driven kitchen manager with over 8 years of experience overseeing high-volume restaurant kitchens. Proven track record in reducing food costs by 15%, optimizing team performance, and maintaining strict health and safety standards. Skilled in inventory management, staff training, and improving kitchen efficiency.

An objective statement focuses more on your goals rather than experience.

Kitchen manager resume objective example:

Motivated culinary professional seeking to leverage 5 years of experience in food preparation and team supervision to transition into a kitchen manager role. Eager to apply strong leadership and organizational skills to contribute to efficient kitchen operations.

How to showcase your kitchen manager resume skills?

Including both hard and soft skills ensures that you cover the technical abilities required for kitchen management as well as the interpersonal qualities that help you lead a team effectively.

Kitchen manager hard skills:

  • Inventory Management
  • Menu Planning
  • Food Safety and Sanitation
  • Budgeting and Cost Control
  • Scheduling Staff
  • Vendor Management
  • Cooking Techniques
  • Kitchen Equipment Maintenance
  • Health and Safety Compliance
  • Recipe Development

Soft skills for a kitchen manager:

  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Time Management
  • Problem-Solving
  • Teamwork
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Decision-Making
  • Adaptability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Stress Management

Catering kitchen manager resume template

Catering kitchen manager resume sample

Catering kitchen manager resume sample
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Kitchen manager resume | Text version

Jennifer Parsons

  • Location: New York, NY
  • Phone: (646) 555-2781
  • Email: jenniferparsons@gmail.com

Professional Summary

Results-driven Catering Manager with over 11 years of experience managing large-scale events, corporate catering, and weddings. Proven ability to coordinate kitchen teams, manage budgets, and deliver high-quality, customized culinary experiences.

Work Experience

Catering Manager

Great Performances Catering – New York, NY

April 2018 – Present

  • Lead catering operations for events ranging from intimate corporate lunches to weddings with over 500 guests.
  • Collaborate with clients to customize menus, manage budgets, and ensure all dietary preferences are met.
  • Successfully reduce operational costs by 15% through improved vendor negotiations and streamlined logistics.
  • Managed catering for high-profile clients, including annual galas at Lincoln Center and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Catering Supervisor

Union Square Events – New York, NY

May 2013 – March 2018

  • Oversaw daily operations for a large catering team, ensuring seamless service for corporate and private events.
  • Assisted the catering manager in menu development and logistics planning for events of up to 1,000 guests.
  • Developed and implemented staff training programs that improved service efficiency and reduced errors by 20%.
  • Coordinated with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of high-quality ingredients for each event.

Education

Johnson & Wales University – Providence, RI

Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management

Graduated 2013

Skills

  • Event Planning & Logistics
  • Budgeting & Cost Control
  • Menu Customization
  • Team Leadership
  • Vendor Management
  • Customer Service

Key Projects

  • New York Fashion Week. Managed catering for over 15 exclusive events with celebrity clients and international press.
  • Metropolitan Gala. Spearheaded the catering logistics for the annual gala, managing a team of 50+ and serving 1,000 guests.

Certifications

  • Food Protection Manager Certification – New York City Department of Health, 2021
  • Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE) – National Association for Catering and Events, 2019

This sample kitchen manager resume is effective for several reasons:

  • The ability to collaborate with clients and negotiate with vendors demonstrates strong business acumen and customer service skills.
  • Certifications like CPCE lend credibility and authority to Mark's expertise.
  • Reducing operational costs and growing revenue through a catering expansion initiative shows strong financial management.
What educational credentials should I add to my kitchen manager resume?

The education section is important because it highlights your formal training and qualifications. This can reassure employers that you have the necessary knowledge to manage a kitchen effectively.

  • Include any degrees (e.g., Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Business Administration).
  • Highlight any mandatory certifications such as ServSafe, HACCP, or similar food safety programs
  • If you have completed specific courses that align with the job (e.g., restaurant management, nutrition), list them briefly.
  • Clearly state the name of the institution where you earned your credential, along with the year you graduated.
How to organize the experience section in a kitchen manager resume?

List your work experience starting with your most recent position and working backward. Reverse chronological order allows employers to see your latest achievements first.

For each position, include:

  • Job title (e.g., Kitchen Manager, Sous Chef)
  • Company name
  • Location (city, state)
  • Dates of employment (Month/Year to Month/Year or Present)

Under each entry, use bullet points to describe your key responsibilities and accomplishments.

Start each bullet with an action verb to create a strong impact. Focus on quantifiable achievements when possible.

Conclusion

A standout kitchen manager resume showcases your leadership, organizational skills, and experience in maintaining smooth operations.

By focusing on your key responsibilities, tailoring your application to each job, and using impactful language, you can position yourself as the ideal candidate.

Follow the examples and tips in this guide to create a resume that sets you apart and lands you your next kitchen manager role.

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