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Line Cook Resume Examples: 5 Best Samples & Why They Work

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Even if you’re a remarkable commis chef, creating a resume to showcase your skills can be difficult.

If you’re floundering trying to write a line cook resume, you’re not alone. Writing a resume seems simple but is stressful and confusing. But this article makes it easy.

Keep reading for five top-notch line cook resume examples, essential buzz words, helpful tips, and more, so you can write an attention-grabbing line cook resume!

Line Cook Resume Samples

We know that being told how to write a stellar resume can be unhelpful, so we’re going to show you how to create an outstanding line cook resume.

Below are five superb line cook resume examples you can use as templates or inspiration for your line cook resume. They cover a few different common line cook positions, so you can find the perfect example for your situation!

Entry-Level Line Cook Resume Sample

An entry-level line cook is anyone who does not have line experience. These people may be fresh out of school or are transitioning from a different career, so their experience may not be as relevant as other line cook resumes.

Entry-Level Line Cook Resume Sample

Why We Suggest This Resume

This entry-level line cook resume works well because it shows that the candidate has industry experience and has worked in restaurants before. Additionally, the objective states clearly that the individual wants to learn and grow as a cook.

  • Type of Resume: Entry-Level Line Cook Resume Sample
  • Best For: Newbies in cooking jobs applying for entry-level jobs
An image of Entry-Level Line Cook Resume Sample

Objective

Energetic and dedicated individual looking for a position on a kitchen line to learn how to work in a kitchen and hone technical skills. In search of a reputable kitchen with other cooks and chefs willing to train and help a new line cook who is eager to grow.

Server, Beef Kings

  • Served up to eight tables at once, ensuring all customers are greeted and served promptly and positively.
  • Learned the menu thoroughly to help guests make informed decisions on their orders.
  • Kept server station and bar station well-organized to increase productivity and service flow.
  • Assisted coworkers by taking on extra tables and orders, running food, and doing additional cleaning to keep the restaurant appealing and sanitary.
  • Helped kitchen staff manage tickets and orders to reduce wait times and monitor all food appearance and consistency.

Host, Dallas BBQ

  • Engaged with customers to answer questions, create a friendly environment, adhere to special requests, and manage reservations.
  • Managed the seating and dining flow throughout the restaurant by ensuring all customers were greeted properly and sat at a table as soon as possible.
  • Monitored the reservation list and party hosting to ensure the restaurant is never overbooked or disorganized.
  • Assisted the service and kitchen staff with food preparation, customer service, and overall productivity.
  • Fostered positive and convenient communication between servers, kitchen, host desk, and customers to ensure smooth operations and happy patrons.

Project Experience

  • Helped a friend with a BBQ catering job for over 200 people, cooking the food, serving guests, and maintaining a clean station.

Skills

  • Basic food preparation
  • Common cooking procedures
  • Cooking equipment maintenance
  • Customer service and relations
  • Dinner service

Education

  •  High School Diploma: Dallas High School

Licenses & Accreditations

  • OSHA Safety Certificate
  • ServSafe Food Protection Certified

Why This Resume Works

Applying to any job as entry-level can be difficult, but with a robust and informative resume like this one, you can land the job. This entry-level line cook resume works well because it shows that the candidate has industry experience and has worked in restaurants before, which can make a huge difference.

Experience as both a host and server shows that this individual knows how a restaurant should flow and also expresses their eagerness to work in a kitchen. As you can see, the objective states clearly that the individual wants to learn and grow as a cook, which can be very attractive to employers looking to build a loyal, long-lasting kitchen staff.

Overall, the resume frames the candidate’s experience to show their determination and commitment to the industry, improving their odds of landing the job.

Lead Line Cook Resume Sample

Lead line cooks will likely have more robust resumes than entry-level cooks, as they typically have more experience. A lead line cook’s job is to assist the head chef and manage many of the nitty-gritty kitchen tasks to ensure top-notch services.

Lead Line Cook Resume Sample

Why We Suggest This Resume

This resume example exemplifies the candidate’s capacity to manage a team of employees. It also lists impressive skills related to management and kitchen flow. This shows how they know how to run a kitchen successfully.

  • Type of Resume: Lead Line Cook Resume Sample
  • Best For: Line cooks with experience applying for lead roles
An image of Lead Line Cook Resume Sample

Objective

An experienced and diligent lead line cook looking for a reputable kitchen and lively team. A passionate cook with an aptitude for leading, training, and managing large kitchens to ensure excellence and organization.

Lead Line Cook, Bar Dough

  • Hired, trained, and managed a kitchen team of a dozen cooks to ensure a productive workflow and a knowledgeable crew.
  • Crafted a 20-item brunch menu to open the restaurant earlier than usual and capitalize on the local dining trends.
  • Assessed the menu and created a vendor plan to ensure high-quality ingredients were sourced at affordable prices.
  • Engaged with guests, servers, and hosts to answer all menu and kitchen-related questions.
  • Performed daily kitchen cleanliness and organization checks to ensure all stations were kept neat and sanitary to protect staff and customers.

Line Cook, Senor Bear

  • Prepared food according to the standardized recipes for a busy restaurant.
  • Crafted a 15-item food product menu for lunch and happy hour to drive business and encourage more lunchtime customers.
  • Helped the head chef develop unique and limited-time seasonal specials based on available and in-season local produce and protein.
  • Organized kitchen procedures to ensure efficiency and convenience, decreasing ticket times by 19%.
  • Trained and coached five line cooks to improve kitchen performance and ensure the kitchen was always fully staffed and operational.

Project Experience

  • Volunteer cooking at the local Denver soup kitchen where I assist the lead volunteers with preparing various delicious and nutritious meals for people in need.
  • Assisted former coworkers with a concert catering gig where they served the band and VIPs before and after the performance.

Skills

  • Team collaboration
  • Time management
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Managerial skills
  • Kitchen operation and flow

Education

  •  High School Diploma: Wheat Ridge High School

Licenses & Accreditations

  • OSHA Safety Certificate
  • ServSafe Food Protection Certified
  • Certified Fundamental Cook (CFC)
  • Food Safety Manager Certification

Why This Resume Works

Lead line cooks need to express their ability to manage and lead a team and kitchen. The resume example above exemplifies the candidate’s capacity to manage a team of employees to ensure they’re properly trained and maintain the kitchen to adhere to sanitary codes and regulations.

To back up the work experience, the resume example also lists some impressive skills related to management and kitchen flow, showcasing how the candidate knows how to run a kitchen successfully. The resume also shows the applicant’s growth, as they went from standard line cook to lead line cook, giving the employer evidence that this candidate wants to grow and improve.

Overall, this resume example is well-rounded and effective for someone who wants to show their leadership and kitchen skills.

Part-Time Line Cook Resume Sample

Crafting a part-time line cook resume is not much different than creating a standard line cook resume. The main difference is that the candidate should mention their reason for wanting to be part-time, to answer questions the employer will likely have. Part-time line cooks typically work 25 hours or less per week.

Part-Time Line Cook Resume Sample

Why We Suggest This Resume

In this resume example, the candidate mentions their desired work schedule and expectations in the objective. This makes it easy for the employer to understand what they want when considering this application.

  • Type of Resume: Part-Time Line Cook Resume Sample
  • Best For: For line cook professionals who want to work part-time
An image of Part-Time Line Cook Resume Sample

Objective

Experienced and energetic individual looking for a part-time line cook position to hone cooking skills and knowledge while pursuing a degree. Searching for a fun and fast-paced kitchen with a welcoming and educated team of cooks to work 20 to 25 hours per week.

Line Cook, Herrera Bar and Grill

  • Trained two line cooks to ensure they were knowledgeable about the menu and able to execute each dish to restaurant standards.
  • Communicated with servers, hosts, and bartenders to ensure proper restaurant flow and reduce confusion or miscommunication.
  • Prepared weekly specials for the brunch, lunch, dinner, and happy hour menu.
  • Assisted the head chef with making menu changes and communicating with vendors.
  • Mastered basic cooking techniques and skills along with a short list of advanced tactics, such as sous vide cooking and mother sauce recipes.

Busboy, Mango’s Lounge

  • Helped bartenders keep the back of the bar clear by removing full racks of dirty glassware and emptying full trash barrels.
  • Promptly and thoroughly bussed tables as soon as guests left to ensure quick turnover times.
  • Assisted kitchen line and bar set up some preparation, such as garnishes and plates.
  • Maintained restaurant cleanliness in the kitchen and dining area during lunch and dinner service to prevent unsanitary conditions.
  • Cleaned and prepared kitchen and bar supplies, including shakers, pans, pots, cooking utensils, and bar mats.

Project Experience

  • Helped coordinate a Taco Tuesday event for Communications College visitors, communicating with the caterers and event hosts.
  • Volunteers at the local homeless shelter once a month, serving hot pre-prepared meals.

Skills

  • Customer service and relations
  • Dinner service
  • Efficiency improvement
  • Food preparation
  • Food safety and sanitation

Education

  • Bachelor’s in Communications (In Progress): Dallas University
  • High School Education: South Austin High School

Licenses & Accreditations

  • OSHA Safety Certificate
  • ServSafe Food Protection Certified

Why This Resume Works

Writing a part-time resume can feel difficult because you want to get the job but you don’t want to miscommunicate what you’re looking for. It’s best to communicate how much you want to work and the type of position you’re looking for to avoid wasting your time and the employer’s time.

In this resume example, the candidate mentions their desired work schedule and expectations in the objective, making it easy for the employer to understand what they want, so they can move on or consider the application accordingly.

The education section and the objective also mention the reason for wanting a part-time position, making it easier for the employer to understand why this individual wants to be part-time!

Restaurant Line Cook Resume Sample

Most line cooks are restaurant line cooks, but not all. Restaurant line cooks are cooks who specifically work in restaurants, usually dine-in, meaning they must make made-to-order dishes for diners, which should be an order for one or an order for 20.

Restaurant Line Cook Resume Sample

Why We Suggest This Resume

This resume works well for a restaurant line cook position because it highlights experience working on and improving a menu, meaning the candidate is creative and innovative.

  • Type of Resume: Restaurant Line Cook Resume Sample
  • Best For: Someone who enjoys the hustle and bustle of restaurant kitchens
An image of Restaurant Line Cook Resume Sample

Objective

An experienced and eager restaurant line cook looking for a successful and organized kitchen team to join. Seeking high-end dine-in restaurants with at least two or three services with opportunities to exercise creative menu planning and dish plating.

Line Cook, Shanghai Village

  • Prepared and cooked food alongside eight other line cooks to produce over 300 meals per dinner service.
  • Followed sanitation and organization guidelines put forth by the head chef, restaurant, and food safety entities.
  • Earned a 95% customer satisfaction rating based on food flavor, appearance, and promptness of delivery.
  • Organized and cleaned work areas to ensure all pots, pans, and cooking utensils were readily available before lunch or dinner service begins.
  • Trained new line cooks on how to use kitchen equipment, cleaning guidelines, food preparation, and menu knowledge.

Line Cook, Fire and Ice

  • Assisted the head chef in cooking and preparing food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner service.
  • Adhered to sanitation guidelines and implemented a thoughtful cleaning and organization system to ensure everything remained pristine and in place.
  • Earned the highest customer satisfaction rating in the restaurant’s history based on food and service.
  • Completed extensive training and gained food safety and preparation certifications.
  • Trained four line cooks on how to use equipment, follow guidelines, prepare food, and learn the menu.

Project Experience

  • Catering for the Ridgecrest Community Golf Club for a myriad of events, including parties, weddings, graduations, and more.
  • Worked for Meals on Wheels for two years, delivering hot and nutritious meals to people in need.

Skills

  • Efficiency improvement
  • Food preparation
  • Food safety and sanitation
  • High-volume restaurant operations
  • Inventory monitoring

Education

  •  High School Diploma: Arlington High School

Licenses & Accreditations

  • OSHA Safety Certificate
  • ServSafe Food Protection Certified
  • Certified Fundamentals Cook (CFC)

Why This Resume Works

As mentioned, most line cook resumes are suitable for restaurant line cook positions, but this resume example is particularly perfect for someone who enjoys the hustle and bustle of restaurant kitchens, as opposed to catering jobs.

This resume works well for a restaurant line cook position because it highlights experience working on and improving a menu, meaning the candidate is creative and innovative.

It also mentions solid numbers concerning the number of dishes produced during a single dinner service and customer satisfaction rates, giving the resume more weight than those without informative statistics.

Overall, this restaurant line cook resume hits all the right notes, mentioning menu creation, organization, cleanliness, training, and more!

Catering Line Cook Resume Sample

Lastly, this resume example is for catering line cook positions. Catering jobs are substantially distinct from restaurant jobs, so the resumes should look a little different.

Catering line cooks often have to manage timing differently, as it’s about keeping large quantities of food fresh and hot for longer, rather than cranking out orders rapidly.

Catering Line Cook Resume Sample

Why We Suggest This Resume

This resume works well because it showcases the candidate’s ability to manage a catering operation and produce lots of high-quality food for events. It also shows how this candidate has the interpersonal skills to talk to customers.

  • Type of Resume: Catering Line Cook Resume Sample
  • Best For: Those applying for catering line cook jobs
An image of Restaurant Line Cook Resume Sample

Objective

A passionate and organized catering line cook with experience catering events of all sizes. Looking for an efficient and successful catering company to hone skills and increase kitchen knowledge while serving delicious food to hungry clients.

Lead Catering Line Cook, Alex’s Kitchen

  • Planned memorable and delicious menus for client events.
  • Sourced food from local vendors to find in-season produce and high-quality proteins to offer exceptional food to clients.
  • Managed food, equipment, and labor budgeting alongside the head chef and owner to ensure all money was used to its maximum potential.
  • Hired extra temporary staff when necessary and quickly but thoroughly trained them on expected behavior and company standards before a client event.
  • Communicated frequently with clients to design unique menus and adhere to specific food restrictions such as allergies, diets, and religious beliefs.

Catering Line Cook, Mambeaux No. 5 Catering

  • Assisted other cooks and the head chef with extensive mise en place before an event to ensure everything is ready when serving time arrives.
  • Created and perfected event menus based on client specifications and requests while upholding company standards.
  • Kept all kitchen equipment, catering equipment, and vehicles thoroughly sanitized and organized.
  • Trained two line cooks and several servers on the rotating menus, company expectations, and even procedures.
  • Worked with local vendors, the head chef, and clients to create a reasonable and effective event budget.

Project Experience

  • Assisted with a catering job in high school for a sports banquet.
  • Completed special food safety and nutrition classes in high school to learn about the importance of food storage, including factors like temperature, air circulation, and sealing.

Skills

  • Catering food preparation
  • Common cooking procedures
  • Cooking equipment maintenance
  • Customer service and relations
  • Team collaboration

Education

  •  High School Diploma: Eleanor Roosevelt High School

Licenses & Accreditations

  • OSHA Safety Certificate
  • ServSafe Food Protection Certified
  • Food Safety Manager Certification

Why This Resume Works

This resume works well because it showcases the candidate’s ability to manage a catering operation and produce lots of high-quality food for events. In the catering business, client communication is essential, and this resume shows how this candidate has the interpersonal skills to talk to customers and work with them to create a menu that will make everyone happy.

This candidate also seems extra valuable because they have important food safety and sanitation certifications. All line cooks need to be team players, especially catering line cooks, as they have to work together to prep, move, unpack, and then serve the food, rather than just prepping and serving.

Overall, the resume shows the candidate’s ability to work flawlessly with others and put the client’s wants and needs first.

Common Skills & Action Verbs to Include on a Line Cook Resume

This section offers lists of the best skills and action verbs to incorporate into your resume, so keep this handy when crafting your resume.

Common Skills for Line Cook Resumes

Below are some of the best skills to list on your resume because they exemplify your capabilities and potential.

  • Back-of-house restaurant operations
  • Basic food preparation
  • Common cooking procedures
  • Cooking equipment maintenance
  • Customer service and relations
  • Dinner service
  • Efficiency improvement
  • Food preparation
  • Food safety and sanitation
  • High-volume restaurant operations
  • Inventory monitoring
  • Kitchen equipment operation
  • Large-scale event catering
  • Menu development
  • Mise en place
  • New hire training
  • Plating design and aesthetics
  • Task timing and sequencing
  • Team collaboration
  • Time management

Common Action Verbs for Line Cook Resumes

Below are some of the most impressive and eye-catching verbs you should include on your line cook resume.

  • Braise
  • Chop
  • Clean
  • Collaborate
  • Combine
  • Communicate
  • Create
  • Debone
  • Develop
  • Dice
  • Distribute
  • Expedite
  • Maintain
  • Monitor
  • Operate

Tips for Writing a Better Line Cook Resume

If you’re still struggling to perfect your resume, we have a few more tips to help you!

1. Highlight Technical Skills

Cooking is a very technical profession and specific technical skills can set you apart from other applicants. Many cooking skills and techniques can take years to learn and talent to master, so adding impressive technical skills to your resume makes you a more valuable and desirable candidate.

For example, highly complex technical cooking skills include things like sous vide, engastration, chaunk, and flash freezing. If a restaurant wants someone with advanced skills, mentioning techniques like this will show your capabilities.

Busy restaurants and kitchens usually don’t want to hire “green” cooks, meaning entry-level ones. If you’re entry-level, don’t worry, there are still plenty of opportunities. But if you have distinct skills, show them off!

2. Emphasize Time Management and Organization

Kitchens are all about timing and organization, so don’t be afraid to play up your time management and organization skills. A slow-moving kitchen means unhappy customers, so you want to show potential employers that you can manage a hectic line and perform well under pressure without compromising ticket times.

A well-organized kitchen or cooking stations mean food can be prepared faster and correctly. A disorganized kitchen leads to late orders, improperly prepared food, and even lessened sanitary concessions.

A missing pan or spatula can also be a disaster in a small kitchen, so putting things away promptly and attentively are essential to a smooth kitchen flow.

Mention time management and organization skills at least once on your resume, even if you don’t list them explicitly in the skills section.

3. Mention Leadership and Management

Leadership and managerial skills are essential when building a lead line cook resume, but we recommend mentioning them on entry-level or part-time line cook resumes too.

Even though you’re applying for a lower-level position, showing that you can be a team leader and can handle a managerial role makes you a valuable candidate with lots of potential.

The employer may not be currently looking for a lead cook, but they likely want to hire someone who has the right aptitude to move up in the kitchen and eventually run it.

Sometimes, you want your application to show what you can do above and beyond the position that is currently open, so if you’re a strong and confident leader, try to incorporate this into your line cook resume.

4. Tailor Your Resume to the Position

We always recommend tailoring your resume to the specific position you’re applying to. We know that it’s substantially easier to craft one gleaming resume and send it to multiple employers.

However, it’s much more effective to change your resume for each application to ensure you highlight the best skills and experiences.

If you have a lot of experience in Mexican cooking but are applying to a French restaurant, consider focusing on technical skills over specific experiences.

On the other hand, when applying to a Mexican restaurant with lots of Mexican cooking experience, focus on your knowledge of this particular cuisine!

Try to use buzzwords and phrasing directly from the job description to increase your chances of getting the job. Essentially, you want to present yourself as the exact candidate they’re looking for!

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a couple of commonly asked questions concerning line cook resumes and applications.

What are good skills for line cooks?

As mentioned, organization and time management are essential skills for a line cook. We also recommend mentioning food safety and sanitization to showcase how you know how to keep customers safe.

Also, leadership and management skills can make you stand out from other applicants.

What is a good example of a line cook’s resume objective?

A good example of a line cook’s resume objective is: Ambitious and organized individual looking for more line cook experience to hone technical skills. Passionate cook in search of a reputable kitchen with experienced cooks and an excellent operational flow.

Similar Resume Types to Reference

Below are a few similar resume types for reference when crafting yours.

  • Chef Resume: A chef’s resume will likely be more technical and robust than a line cook’s resume, looking at a chef’s resume can help you strike the right tone and use the best phrases.
  • Hostess Resume: A hostess resume can help you craft your experience sections if you’ve worked in other restaurant positions.
  • Server Resume: Like the hostess resume, server resumes will use similar industry terminology and help you see how you can showcase certain experiences.

Wrapping Up

Writing your line cook resume is easier when you have stellar examples to reference. Keep these five resume examples, extra tips, and popular buzzwords handy when creating your resume to ensure you craft a standout application.

Our last word of advice is to take the time to tailor your resume to the position you want. We know it’s extra effort, but it’s worth it. Hopefully, this article will help you write the best line cook resume possible so you can get your dream job!

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