Catering and Culinary CV: Examples, Templates, and Samples for 2025
A well-crafted catering or culinary CV can be the key to securing a job you really enjoy. Explore our top tips, sample CVs, and other resources to help you create the perfect CV with our trusted builder.
Be part of the UK’s thriving hospitality sector with our catering and culinary CV examples. Whether you’re a catering assistant or head chef, you’ll need to showcase your prowess in the kitchen. Learn how to present these skills concisely with our comprehensive range of templates, perfect for all catering roles.
Choose one of the CV examples below to create a stunning and professional catering & culinary CV. Each template is tailored to showcase your skills, experience, and passion for the culinary arts, helping you attract the attention of potential employers. Start building your CV today.
How you approach your catering or culinary CV should depend on your level of experience in the industry. Are you a beginner looking to start your culinary career? Do you have a few years of experience? Or are you a seasoned professional with advanced skills? Your experience will play a key role in shaping your CV.
Browse the culinary and catering CV templates below:
If you’re starting out in the catering and culinary industry, it’s important to highlight your volunteer work, transferable skills, and training. Make sure to demonstrate any relevant experience that could be relevant to the job, even if it’s not directly in the field.
At this point in your career, employers are looking at your potential. This makes sections such as your personal statement particularly important in your CV, as they give you the chance to demonstrate your enthusiasm and willingness to grow.
For a mid-career culinary or catering CV, the process is more straightforward. By this point, you have the experience and technical skills required for the role, so it’s just a case of presenting them in the best possible light – similar to the example above.
A senior-level culinary or catering CV should highlight your extensive industry experience, key achievements, leadership positions, specialist skills, and a history of success in your roles. This is the perfect opportunity to show how you’ve contributed to business growth, managed teams, and consistently delivered exceptional service. Employers will be looking for evidence of your ability to lead and innovate in high-pressure environments, so be sure to highlight these strengths.
Take a look at our extensive library of CV templates to find inspiration for your own job application.
How to write a culinary or catering CV that lands you the job
As with any job application, your culinary or catering CV should be clearly organised into different sections. Each section is an opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and passion – proving to employers that you have what it takes to succeed in the role you’re applying for.
Below, we’ve broken down the key sections and elements to include when preparing your CV for a culinary or catering role.
STEP 1
Personal statement for catering & culinary CV
Writing a strong personal statement for your culinary or catering CV is vital. As one of the first sections that recruiters will see, it has the potential to make or break your chances of securing the role.
Your personal statement (or professional summary) is a short paragraph that highlights your key skills, achievements and work experience. Typically, in two to four sentences, it introduces you to employers and communicates why you’re a good fit for the hospitality role you’re applying for.
Example 1:
Experienced pastry chef with five years of experience in high-end bakeries. Skilled in creating innovative desserts and managing kitchen teams to maintain quality and efficiency. Passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences.
OR
Example 2:
Dedicated catering manager with a proven track record of coordinating large-scale events. Highly skilled in menu planning, staff management, and customer service. Known for delivering successful events on time and within budget.
STEP 2
Work experience for catering and culinary jobs
Your work experience section is key to showcasing your practical skills in the culinary and catering field. It’s important to demonstrate your ability to work in a high-pressure environment while maintaining high standards of food quality and safety. Below are examples of how to present relevant work experience on your CV:
Example 1:
Pastry Chef (January 2023 – Current) Sweet Delights Bakery, London
Created and designed a variety of pastries, cakes, and desserts, ensuring exceptional quality and taste.
Supervised a team of four junior pastry chefs, providing guidance and training.
Maintained high standards of cleanliness and safety in the kitchen, adhering to food safety regulations.
Collaborated with the front-of-house staff to ensure smooth operations during peak hours.
OR
Example 2:
Sous Chef (June 2022 – Current) The Gourmet Bistro, Leeds
Assisted in overseeing kitchen operations, ensuring food quality and timely preparation during service hours.
Prepared and plated dishes according to menu specifications, maintaining consistency in presentation and taste.
Managed inventory, ordered supplies, and minimised food waste by tracking usage and rotating stock.
Trained and mentored new kitchen staff to improve efficiency and maintain high standards.
STEP 3
Key hard and soft skills for culinary jobs
Culinary and catering jobs require both technical and non-technical skills. While technical skills such as cooking techniques or food safety knowledge are essential, transferable skills such as leadership and organisation are also highly valued by employers. Be sure to include both types of skills on your CV to give employers a well-rounded view of your qualifications.
Example skills:
Food preparation and cooking
Menu planning and development
Catering management
Food safety and sanitation
Inventory management
Budgeting and cost control
Staff training and supervision
Customer service
Event coordination
Wine pairing and beverage knowledge
Dietary restrictions and special diets
Quality control
Time management
Multitasking under pressure
Communication and teamwork
STEP 4
Education section on a CV
The education section of your CV is essential to showcase your qualifications, regardless of the role or industry you’re in. While hands-on experience is crucial for culinary and catering jobs, formal training or certifications also help to demonstrate your expertise in the field. Tailor this section to highlight the courses or programmes that are most relevant to the role you’re applying for.
Example:
EDUCATION
Diploma in Culinary Arts (2019) Le Cordon Bleu, London
Relevant coursework: Advanced Cooking Techniques, Pastry and Baking, Menu Design, Food Safety and Hygiene
Additional information for your culinary or catering CV
Including additional information in your culinary or catering CV can help you stand out from other candidates. This section can include relevant memberships or notable achievements that will strengthen your application and show employers that you’re committed to professional development.
Example:
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Member, National Association of Catering Executives (NACE)
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