Jobs in the food service industry require a unique skill set, and a well-crafted CV is essential to highlight your practical expertise. Recruiters looking for candidates in this sector typically focus on your hands-on experience, customer service skills, and relevant qualifications. Reviewing ready-made CV examples can help you create a CV that meets the high standards recruiters expect in the food service industry.

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    CV templates for the food service industry

    The food service industry offers a variety of roles, each requiring a tailored CV template to highlight the specific skills and experience that employers are looking for. Whether you’re applying for a chef, waiter, or restaurant manager position, your CV must be customised for your target role. Below, you’ll find examples of different CV templates for positions within the food service sector. Use these as a guide to create your own CV.

    Barista CV template

    This barista CV is a great example of how to effectively showcase your experience and skills in a clear, professional format. The bold red accents help draw attention to key sections, making the CV eye-catching and easy to read. 

    The candidate highlights transferable skills from a previous customer service role, such as excellent communication, multitasking, and handling customer queries, which are essential for a barista. The clean, organised structure ensures that recruiters can easily see their relevant experience and skill set, while including key competencies like coffee-making expertise and teamwork enhances the CV’s impact.

    Waiter or waitress CV template

    This waiter or waitress CV is a strong example of how to present your experience and skills in a professional yet visually appealing way. The clean format, with subtle light blue accents, creates a modern and fresh look, while the effective use of white space ensures that the CV is easy to read and well-structured. 

    The candidate highlights relevant skills such as customer service, teamwork, and problem-solving, making sure to demonstrate how they’ve applied these in previous roles. With clear sections and a focus on key achievements, this CV showcases the candidate’s suitability for a waitress position and stands out to recruiters looking for a dedicated and skilled team member.

    This waiter or waitress CV is a strong example of how to present your experience and skills in a professional yet visually appealing way. The clean format, with subtle light blue accents, creates a modern and fresh look, while the effective use of white space ensures that the CV is easy to read and well-structured. 

    The candidate highlights relevant skills such as customer service, teamwork, and problem-solving, making sure to demonstrate how they’ve applied these in previous roles. With clear sections and a focus on key achievements, this CV showcases the candidate’s suitability for a waitress position and stands out to recruiters looking for a dedicated and skilled team member.

    Restaurant manager CV template

    This restaurant manager CV is an excellent example of how to showcase relevant work experience and leadership skills in a well-structured, professional format. The use of bold blue, white, and light grey creates a clean, modern look that draws attention to key sections without overwhelming the reader. The CV focuses on the candidate’s extensive work history, highlighting leadership roles, staff management, and operational expertise. By clearly detailing achievements in previous positions, such as improving customer satisfaction and increasing sales, this CV demonstrates the candidate’s ability to manage all aspects of restaurant operations effectively.

    View our extensive selection of professional CV templates and find the right one for your career.

    How to create a CV for the food service industry

    When done correctly, writing a standout CV for the food service industry can be a recipe for success. Whether you’re aiming for a position as a head chef or a waiter, it’s essential to tailor your CV to highlight the skills and experience most relevant to the role. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the key sections to include on your CV, from contact details to work experience, and explain how to format them effectively.

    restaurant CV example

    STEP 1

    List your contact details

    Your contact details should be clear and easy to find at the top of your CV. Include your full name, contact number, email address, and location.

    Example of a contact section:

    Freda Jones
    07912 345 678
    freda.jones @example.co.uk
    Manchester

    STEP 2

    Write your personal statement

    The personal statement is your opportunity to make a strong first impression and showcase why you’re the ideal candidate for the food service role you’re applying for. Keep it brief (3-4 lines) and ensure it’s tailored to the specific position. Highlight your passion for the industry, your customer service skills, and any relevant experience. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, this section should demonstrate your enthusiasm and what you bring to the team.

    Restaurant manager personal statement:

    Dynamic and results-driven restaurant manager with over 5 years of experience in overseeing daily operations, managing staff, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Proven track record of increasing restaurant revenue by 15% through efficient cost control and staff training. Passionate about delivering high-quality service and creating a positive dining experience for customers.

    OR

    Barista personal statement:

    Friendly and hardworking barista with 3+ years of experience in fast-paced coffee shops, consistently delivering exceptional customer service. Skilled in preparing high-quality beverages and maintaining a clean and welcoming environment. Increased customer retention by 20% by building strong relationships and providing a personalised coffee experience.

    STEP 3

    List your relevant work experience

    When listing your work history in the food service industry, focus on showcasing 2 to 3 roles that are either the most recent or most relevant to the position you’re applying for. Present these positions in chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Highlight key achievements that align with the job requirements, showing how your experience makes you an ideal candidate. For each role, include:

    • Job title
    • Company name
    • Location
    • Dates employed
    • Key responsibilities and achievements

    Whenever possible, use specific numbers or metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work. This could include increasing customer satisfaction scores, improving sales, or reducing service times. Adding measurable results will make your CV more compelling and show your tangible contributions.

    Example of CV work experience:

    Barista (June 2021 – Current)
    The Daily Grind Coffee Shop, London

    • Prepared and served a variety of hot and cold beverages, ensuring high quality and customer satisfaction.
    • Managed daily stock levels, placing orders and ensuring supplies were always available, reducing downtime by 15%.
    • Trained 3 new staff members, improving team efficiency and customer service.
    • Provided exceptional customer service, maintaining a 95% customer satisfaction rating based on customer feedback surveys.
    STEP 4

    Show your skills

    A strong skills section for your food service CV is essential to showcase your experience and qualifications. Start by highlighting the hard skills relevant to the role you’re applying for. These might include knowledge of food safety regulations, expertise in operating kitchen equipment, or proficiency in point-of-sale systems. These skills demonstrate your practical abilities within the food service industry.

    Soft skills also play a crucial role in food service jobs. Highlight your customer service skills, teamwork, and ability to stay calm under pressure. For managerial roles, you may want to showcase leadership skills, staff training, and conflict resolution.

    Example of skills to include on your CV:

    Hard skills:

    • Knowledge of food safety and sanitation regulations
    • Proficiency in operating kitchen equipment (e.g., ovens, grills, fryers)
    • Experience with POS (point-of-sale) systems and cash handling
    • Food preparation and cooking techniques
    • Menu planning and meal portioning
    • Stock control and inventory management
    • Ability to manage food orders and deliveries
    • Understanding of dietary restrictions and allergens

    Soft skills:

    • Strong customer service and communication skills
    • Ability to work efficiently under pressure in a fast-paced environment
    • Teamwork and collaboration with kitchen and front-of-house staff
    • Time management and multitasking abilities
    • Problem-solving and conflict resolution
    • Adaptability and flexibility in changing situations
    • Attention to detail and quality control
    • Leadership and staff management (for supervisory/management roles)
    STEP 5

    Showcase your education and qualifications

    In the food service industry, a formal degree is not usually necessary. Instead, employers typically look for practical experience and relevant qualifications. GCSEs or A-levels are often sufficient, particularly if you previously worked in hospitality or food service roles.

    However, additional certifications, such as food hygiene or health and safety training, can be valuable to your CV’s education section. Furthermore, speaking additional languages can be a significant advantage, especially in areas with a diverse clientele. Communicating in multiple languages helps create a more inclusive customer experience and may be particularly beneficial for roles dealing with international guests or clients.

    Example of a CV education section:

    Education:

    GCSEs
    Wellington Secondary School, London – 2015

    • 5 GCSEs including English, Maths, and Science (Grades A-C)

    Certifications:

    • Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety (Completed 2019)

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