cover letter chef job

8 Professional Chef Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Your chef cover letter must immediately highlight your passion for food and cooking. It should convey your creativity and dedication to culinary arts right from the start. Emphasize your experience in the kitchen, showcasing the variety of cuisines you're proficient in. Let your expertise in menu development and commitment to quality shine through every line.

All cover letter examples in this guide

Entry Level Chef

Kitchen Manager

Executive Chef

Pastry Chef

Cover letter guide.

Chef Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience Chef Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

By Experience

Embarking on your culinary career journey, you’ve likely hit the stumbling block of writing a chef cover letter that garners attention. Clutching your resume, you realize that a compelling cover letter is your chance to flaunt that one proud professional milestone without echoing the resume verbatim. Crafting this blend of formality and personal flair, while ditching the worn-out clichés in a concise one-page narrative, can prove daunting—but fear not, as this guide will whisk you through the process with chef-like finesse.

• Introduce your profile to catch recruiters' attention;
• Use professional templates and examples to make sure your chef cover letter follows the best industry standards;
• Settle on your most story-worthy achievement to shine a light on what makes your application unique;
• Write a chef cover letter, even when you lack professional experience.

Ready to start with the basics: upload your resume to Enhancv's AI, below, to see the chef cover letter it would write for you.

If the chef isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

• Chef resume guide and example
• High Volume Bartender cover letter example
• Server cover letter example
• Barback cover letter example
• Lead Server cover letter example
• Front of House Manager cover letter example
• Waiter cover letter example
• Restaurant Manager cover letter example
• Banquet Bartender cover letter example
• Starbucks cover letter example
• Assistant Restaurant Manager cover letter example

Chef cover letter example

Christian Torres

Denver, Colorado

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Demonstrating alignment with the company's values - Mentioning a shared commitment to culinary innovation and sustainable practices shows that the applicant has done their research and is a good cultural fit for the restaurant.
• Quantifying achievements - The applicant provides specific percentages to showcase past successes, such as spearheading a 25% increase in diner satisfaction and reducing food costs by 15%, which gives measurable evidence of their skills and impact.
• Relevant experience - Discussing previous roles and achievements related to menu development and cost management directly corresponds to key responsibilities of an executive chef, showing that the applicant has the necessary background and expertise.

What about your chef cover letter format: organizing and structuring your information

Here is one secret you should know about your chef cover letter assessment. The Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't analyze your cover letter.

You should thus focus on making an excellent impression on recruiters by writing consistent:

• Introduction
• Body paragraphs (and explanation)
• Promise or Call to action
• Signature (that's optional)

Now, let's talk about the design of your chef cover letter.

Ensure all of your paragraphs are single-spaced and have a one-inch margins on all sides (like in our cover letter templates ).

Also, our cover letter builder automatically takes care of the format and comes along with some of the most popular (and modern) fonts like Volkhov, Chivo, and Bitter.

Speaking of fonts, professionals advise you to keep your chef cover letter and resume in the same typography and avoid the over-used Arial or Times New Roman.

When wondering whether you should submit your chef cover letter in Doc or PDF, select the second, as PDF keeps all of your information and design consistent.

The top sections on a chef cover letter

• Header: The header should include the chef's name, contact information, and the date, providing a professional appearance and making it easy for the recruiter to reach out for an interview.
• Greeting: The greeting should address the restaurant owner or head chef by name if possible, showing the applicant has done their research and is truly interested in the position at their specific establishment.
• Introduction: The introduction must grab the reader's attention by succinctly showcasing the chef's passion for cooking and their eagerness to contribute to the culinary team, setting the tone for the rest of the letter.
• Professional Experience and Skills: This section should highlight the chef's key achievements, special dishes or cuisines they are known for, and skills that would benefit the kitchen they're applying to, demonstrating their qualifications for the role.
• Closing: The closing should reiterate the chef's enthusiasm for the position, include a call to action inviting the recruiter to arrange an interview, and express gratitude for considering the application.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

• Culinary expertise and creativity: Recruiters seek chefs who can craft unique, flavorful dishes and contribute to the restaurant’s menu with innovative ideas.
• Experience with diverse cuisines: A chef's ability to cook a wide range of cuisines makes them a valuable asset to a kitchen team, showing adaptability and broad culinary knowledge.
• Leadership and team management skills: The ability to lead and manage a kitchen staff effectively ensures smooth operations and can improve the overall dining experience.
• Attention to detail and quality control: Chefs must maintain high standards for food preparation, presentation, and taste, overseeing every aspect of the kitchen to ensure consistency.
• Time management and efficiency: Working in a fast-paced environment requires chefs to be efficient, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and maintain composure under pressure.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations: A thorough understanding of sanitation and safety standards is critical for maintaining a safe kitchen and adhering to legal and regulatory requirements.

How to start your chef cover letter: with a greeting, of course

Have you ever considered just how powerful a personalized salutation can be?

We sure have news for you! Your chef cover letter should start with the right salutation to recruiters, nurturing a sense of respect and individuality.

Greet recruiters by using their first name (e.g. "Dear Tom" or "Dear Patricia") if you've previously established contact with them.

Otherwise, opt out for the less familiar, "Dear Ms. Peaches" or "Dear Ms Kelsey", if you've found the recruiter's name on LinkedIn or a corporate website.

"To whom it may concern" is never a good option, as it creates a sense that you've been sending out your chef cover letter to anyone. Instead, use "Dear HR team" or "Dear (company name) recruiter" for a feeling of exclusivity.

List of salutations you can use

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear Chef [Last Name],
• Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
• Dear Executive Chef,
• Dear [Restaurant Name] Team,
• Dear [Restaurant Name] Hiring Committee,

Your chef cover letter introduction and the value you bring

Moving on from the "Dear Recruiter" to your professional introduction .

Use those first two sentences of your chef cover letter to present the biggest asset you'd bring to the organization.

Don't go into too much detail about your achievement or the skill set, but instead - go straight for the win.

That is - what is your value as a professional?

Would you be able to build stronger, professional relationships in any type of communication? Or, potentially, integrate seamlessly into the team?

The middle or body of your chef cover letter body: a great instrument to tell a story

Now that you've set the right tone with the greeting and introduction of your chef cover letter, it's time to get down to business .

Hear us out, the body of your chef cover letter is the best storytelling instrument you have, in your job-hunting arsenal.

Writing the next three to six paragraphs, take the time to reassess the advert to discover job-crucial requirements.

Next, choose one accomplishment that covers those key skills and talents.

Use precisely that achievement to tell an exciting story of how you match the ideal candidate profile.

In the undertones of your story or chef cover letter body, hint at the difference you'd make and sell your application as the perfect one for the job.

Finishing off your chef cover letter with what matters most

So far, you've done a fantastic job in tailoring your chef cover letter for the role and recruiter.

Your final opportunity to make a good impression is your closing paragraph.

And, no, a "Sincerely yours" just won't do, as it sounds too vague and impersonal.

End your chef cover letter with the future in mind.

So, if you get this opportunity, what do you plan to achieve? Be as specific, as possible, of what value you'd bring to the organization.

You could also thank recruiters for their interest in your profile and prompt for follow-up actions (and organizing your first interview).

The zero experience chef cover letter: shifting the focus to your unique value

Don't worry if you have no conventional professional experience . Within your whole experience, there's plenty more you can write about in your chef cover letter.

Take, for example, your biggest achievement or award - dedicate your cover letter body to describe it and the job-relevant skills you've learned.

Your professional ambitions could also take center stage. Describe what you plan on achieving in the next five to ten years and the efforts you're making towards your dreams.

Key takeaways

Writing your chef cover letter has never been easier, so remember to:

• Select a chef cover letter template that automatically meets industry formatting (e.g. has one-inch margins, is single-spaced, is in PDF, etc.);
• Make your chef cover letter personal by mentioning the recruiters' first or last name;
• Within the introduction, describe what you like best about the company in no more than two sentences;
• Use your chef cover letter body to tell a story of your greatest achievement, backed up by job-relevant skills and technologies;
• If you have no professional experience, be honest about it in your chef cover letter, but also write about your unique talents.

Chef cover letter examples

Explore additional chef cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Cover letter examples by industry

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• Content tailored to the job posting you're applying for
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Chef cover letter example

What does a cover letter need to cover?

Cover letter header, cover letter greeting, cover letter introduction, cover letter body, cover letter conclusion and call to action, cover letter sign-off.

Unless you have a rat under your hat who is a master of the culinary arts, you’ll probably have to find your chef job the old-fashioned way. That means you’ll need the simple recipe for an outstanding chef cover letter to pair with your resume. 

Never fear, we’re here to help you with the practical aspects of getting an amazing restaurant position without the need for magical animated characters! But that’s nothing. You don’t even have to win “Hell’s Kitchen.” 

Resume.io has all the ingredients ready with step-by-step preparation tips for a job-winning cover letter. Our resources include a wide selection of occupation-specific writing guides and free cover letter examples . In addition, we offer formatting advice, plus field-tested templates and builder tools to help you create both resumes and cover letters.

This cover letter writing guide, along with an adaptable chef cover letter example, will discuss:

• Why you need a cover letter
• The best format for structuring a chef cover letter
• Advice for each cover letter part: header, greeting, introduction, body and conclusion
• The psychology of writing a persuasive chef cover letter
• Common mistakes found in chef cover letters

For more ideas and inspiration, check out these related cover letter writing guides and examples in the hospitality & catering category:

• Hospitality cover letter sample
• Barista cover letter sample
• Restaurant cover letter sample 
• Waitress cover letter sample
• Cleaning job cover letter sample
• Bartender cover letter sample
• Starbucks cover letter sample
• Server cover letter sample 
• Hotel Receptionist cover letter sample
• Travel Agent cover letter sample
• Restaurant Manager cover letter sample
• McDonald's cover letter sample
• Pastry Chef cover letter sample

There are very few fields where one’s work may be known so publicly. If you’re the head chef at Jack’s Hash & Mash, literally anybody in the world can come into your restaurant and sample your food. Ultimately, your diners are the critics you need to win over.

If you want to apply for a job down the street at Jill’s Bar & Grill, Jill may already know your work very well. If she hates it, probably the best cover letter in the world can’t save you. But if she knows your restaurant serves great food and you’re in charge, then a good resume and cover letter may be all you need to get you on track for an interview and a job offer.

People sometimes wonder why a cover letter is needed in addition to a resume. After all, a resume covers your relevant job experience, training and other qualifications, and the cover letter addresses many of these same issues.

But let’s talk basic manners. You are, after all, asking for a job — so you have to ask . And you have to ask nicely, professionally and persuasively. This is the function of a cover letter. 

A cover letter is a way of establishing a personal connection to a hiring manager. It’s a way of introducing yourself, expressing an interest in a job, and informing an employer about the experience, skills and qualifications that make you an excellent candidate. 

Sometimes a chef also needs to be something of a diplomat, and a cover letter is an opportunity to showcase your personality, your passion, your talents for humble yet confident self-promotion. 

A cover letter also offers the opportunity to relate anecdotes — short little stories about challenges you’ve faced in the past and how you overcame them. This is something you can’t do in a resume.

Unless you’re specifically asked not to, always include a chef cover letter with your chef resume .

Best format for a chef cover letter

In most cases, a cover letter should be one page only, ranging from 200 to 400 words depending on your career and experience.

What are the basic components of a cover letter? What do they need to contain and achieve? Let’s take a look. 

Here is the preferred structure for a good cover letter and the components it needs to contain: 

• Cover letter greeting / salutation
• Introduction
• Conclusion and call to action

Some variation may be OK, but it has to include these major ingredients. You can customize it to your taste, but you have to follow the outlines of a basic format. 

Now we'll take a closer look at each component of your chef cover letter.

Dear Mr Trunk,

Having spent five years under renowned sushi chef Maru Himura, I started my own journey as a sushi and bento chef at the four-star Ibizian Bashi in 2016, winning plaudits for my fusion menu. No restaurant in town could compete with our supply chain and I will bring my supplier relationships to Sushi Cento.

My biggest achievement there was to redesign the lunchtime set menu to incorporate delivery. We were  in a downtown district that was popular with office workers, but demand for delivery was fast outstripping diners.

• Completed a rigorous 5-year apprenticeship under renowned sushi master Chef Saito in Tokyo, acquiring traditional techniques and knowledge to create authentic Edo-style sushi.
• Spearheaded the menu creation at [Restaurant Name], introducing a fusion sushi line which increased sales by 20% and garnered media attention from top culinary magazines like "Gourmet Traveler" and "Bon Appétit."
• Attended annual sushi seminars and workshops in Japan to stay updated with global trends, subsequently introducing modern sushi concepts at [Restaurant Name], leading to a 10% increase in footfall from a younger demographic.

Different menu choices were being made and we decided to let out delivery menu dictate our restaurant offering. This resulted in a 29% overall increase in sales and 15% uplift in operating profit as we had more availability of tables and decreased delivery costs per order with larger customers.

I take a pride in exceeding customer expectations and our reviews on Trip Adviser put us in the top 10% of restaurants in the city (out of 400 establishments). I enclose a selection of restaurant critic reviews.

I look forward to having the opportunity to come in and prepare something for you to showcase my subtle skills. Japanese cooking is my passion.

William Turner

The header of your cover letter serves both a practical and esthetic purpose. It should be eye-catching in the most attractive and reader-friendly sense, without being detracting from the letter itself. It should be memorable in distinguishing who wrote the letter with contact information for employers to easily get in touch.

The cover letter header should contain your full name, email and mobile number. These contact details should be repeated from your resume. There is no need to include your full home address - there are data protection issues here. The inside address of the employer is also not required - this is an old-fashioned waste of space.

Align document styles

Probably you wouldn’t serve a meal to a pair of diners using different types of plates, glasses and flatware. You want a coherent, organized look to your table, showing you have put some thought into the presentation. 

Follow the same instincts in preparing both your cover letter and resume. They should have a similar look, making it obvious that they were prepared to be paired.

Use the same fonts, font sizes and formatting styles in creating your resume and cover letter. The header should be very similar, if not identical, on both of these documents.

This will give you a visual brand, a style, and it will demonstrate that you have a feel for presentation.

Goal of the cover letter header : Distinguish yourself from other job applicants with high regard for visual brand consistency and quality of presentation. 

This is the line in your letter that says, “Dear,” usually followed by a Mr. or Ms, a surname and a colon. There’s no need to overthink this time-honored way to write the salutation of a business letter.

If you happen to know the person you’re writing to, of course, that may be different. If you’re friends with the proprietor of Jill’s Bar & Grill, she might find it unnecessarily formal if you address her as anything but “Dear Jill.”

But beware of being too casual in writing a letter seeking a job to someone you don’t know. Other people may read the cover letter and you do not want to be accused of nepotism.

The power of using names and direct greetings.

Always try to write a cover letter to a named individual — the actual person in charge of hiring at the company you’re targeting.  Neuroscience has shown in actual studies the powerful impact people have to their own names. We are social and emotional creatures first and foremost. Remember that any professional appeal (such as a cover letter) has an underlying psychological connection.

If you’re responding to a help-wanted ad that doesn’t list a contact, it’s often worth calling to find out the name of the person responsible. Granted you respect peoples’ and companies’ boundaries, this is a very positive and productive practice: connecting with actual humans before the job interview itself.

From your end, that provides reassurance that your letter isn’t going to be buried on the wrong person’s desk. And from the recipient’s end, this shows that you pay attention to detail and you’re not just blindly firing off cover letters to any restaurant out there. 

Distinctions are often drawn between business letters and personal letters, but it’s important to understand that sometimes a business letter should also be personal, and the cover letter is a great case in point.

The main objective of this exercise is to establish a personal connection to somebody who has the power to offer you a job. If you don’t even know that person’s name, this will be tough to pull off.

Goal of the cover letter greeting : Start off on a professional note by making a direct personal connection with the employer that strikes the right tone.

After all this prep, it’s time to serve something up. Steering clear of clichés, HR-speak and fluff, you want to write a provocative and compelling opening statement that virtually compels the reader to keep reading.

Ideally you would include some reference to your qualifications — for example, you might start by saying “After four years as a sous chef at the famous Cajun Nation in New Orleans.…” 

It’s important to find the right tone of voice to use in your cover letter. You should take into account the tone that your target uses in addressing its audience on its website and other platforms (such as social media). Whether that tone is highly formal or disarmingly casual, you should strive to speak in a similar language. 

Remember that you want to exude both competence and confidence — you do have to sell yourself — but arrogance is always a turnoff.

Goal of the cover letter introduction : Whet the appetite of hiring managers with a taste of what will follow when they keep reading.

The central two or three paragraphs of your letter must contain all the essential information about your experience, training, skills and other qualifications for the job.

Experience is usually the dominant element of the body of a cover letter. If you have extensive experience at good restaurants, play this up for all it’s worth. 

Don’t just say where you worked and for how long, but describe what you did at each job. Use anecdotes to tell stories about special challenges you faced, for example, and how you overcame them. Wherever possible, use facts and figures, like the number of diners you cooked for during an average shift, the restaurant’s nightly gross or other relevant information. 

If you’ve gone to school to study the culinary arts, or you have other relevant training, certifications or awards, this is also the place to mention that. 

You may also be aware of a specific need at the eatery you’re targeting, and you may be able to make an argument that your special skills will fill a need there. Always remember that a cover letter should not be about how you deserve a job, but about the needs of the employer.

Aim of the cover letter body : Highlight your most relevant accomplishments in a relatable way, so the employer can envision how the restaurant would benefit if you are hired.

In your final paragraph, bring your pitch to a satisfying conclusion with a call for action. That means you should say something about how you eagerly await a reply, how you would be delighted to show up for an interview, or perhaps even that you may be going to the restaurant soon just to eat, and you’d love to say hello to the owner if s/he has time. 

Try to give your reader no excuse to set your letter aside. Plant the thought that some response would be appropriate and that you are looking forward to it.

Goal of the cover letter closing : End on a positive, self-assured note with a call to action that compels the restaurant owner to respond and meet with you.

Close by saying “Sincerely,” “Best regards” or the equivalent, then add a space and type your name. You can also add a digital signature if you like, or if you’re planning on sending a printed copy, you should always sign it.

Cover letter design and formatting: an eye for presentation

Here are some basic guidelines on how to format your cover letter so that it looks as good as it reads.

• Fonts : Use a familiar, easy-to-read font , nothing exotic, avant-garde or splashy.
• Font size : Try for 12-point type, and if your letter won’t fit on one page, you can go as low as 10 points, but no lower. Most first drafts are too wordy, so always try to cut your text before reducing your font size.
• Text alignment : All of your body text should be aligned left, not justified from margin to margin.
• Paragraphs : Should be un-indented but should all have a space between them, and should never be too long. Give your reader some breathing space.
• Margins : Use a one-inch margin on the left, right, top and bottom of your letter.
• Save as PDF : If submitting a resume and cover letter electronically, always save them as PDFs and attach them unless you have a good reason not to. A PDF will preserve your formatting so that the letter you wrote on your device looks the same on anyone else’s device.
• Use a professional template : The surest way to avoid any formatting fails is to use a professionally designed cover letter template like those we offer at resume.io. We’ve done all the formatting for you — all you have to do is write the letter.

Review the free cover letter templates at resume.io, find a style you like, and start filling in your own information. Our cover letter builder offers pre-generated phrases, a diligent spell-checker and much more. Forget the long and stressful process of writing resumes and cover letters. Resume.io makes the most difficult things quick and easy with the most advanced online tools!

The secret sauce — writing psychology

Ultimately a cover letter must appeal to someone else’s palate, not yours, and so you have to try to imagine yourself behind the reading glasses of the recipient. 

One way of looking at this: Don’t write the letter you want to write. Write the letter you want the other person to receive.

Study your target. Learn everything you can about the place where you want to work. Find out what this kitchen needs, identify who is in charge, and send a carefully crafted letter suggesting how your contribution would ultimately improve the dining experience of the guests.

If you received this letter out of the blue, would you want to meet the person who wrote it? Would you want to invite that person to your office for an interview? Would you want to consider the possibility of working alongside this person for years to come?

As we’ve mentioned, arrogance is never attractive, and nobody wants to hire somebody they don’t like. But confidence backed by competence, with a little friendliness thrown into the mix, makes a winning combination with most people. 

Try to write a letter that makes the reader say: “I have to meet this person.”

Common cover letter mistakes

Here are some common mistakes people make in writing cover letters:

• Misspellings and typos : If you dashed this letter off so fast you didn’t even have time to look it over — and if this led to obvious errors in your work — then is this also how you run a kitchen?
• Bad presentation : Nobody wants to read a letter with an 8-point type in a weird font with tiny margins and no paragraph breaks. If your letter shows no sense of style or talent for design or presentation, that will be a turnoff.
• Irrelevant issues : If you have a passion for adopting labradoodles, we celebrate your hobby, but what we really want in this one-page letter is relevant information about what makes you a great cook.
• One size fits all : Identical copy-paste cover letters that are sent to multiple potential employers will do more harm than good. Study each person you write to, and make every letter unique.

Key takeaways

• Analysts project healthy job growth for chefs, but the global coronavirus pandemic has presented serious challenges to the restaurant industry.
• Any chef seeking employment needs a resume and a cover letter, and in fact needs to be prepared to write a different cover letter to each prospective employer.
• Write a cover letter with the proper structure, and you’ll know you included everything that was important and left out everything that wasn’t.
• Presentation matters, so follow some basic formatting advice to make sure your letter looks as good as it reads.
• Try to get inside the mind of the person you’re writing to, and write the letter you want that person to receive.
• Resolve structure and formatting issues by using a professional template.

Go get your dream job today!

Free professionally designed templates

• Chef cover letter examples

Landing a Chef job can be difficult in today’s job market, but a good cover letter will help you to impress recruiters and secure that all-important interview.

But of course, crafting a winning cover letter requires skill and know-how.

That’s why we have put together this step-by-step guide including 3 Chef cover letter examples, to help you write your own.

Guide contents

How to write a Chef cover letter

• What to include in a Chef cover letter

CV templates 

Chef cover letter example 1

Chef cover letter example 2

Chef cover letter example 3

These Chef cover letter examples provide you with some guidance and inspiration for writing a cover letter that gets noticed and ensures your CV will get opened.

But if you really want to master the art of writing a winning cover letter , then follow our step-by-step cove letter writing guide below.

A simple step-by-step guide to writing your very own winning cover letter.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When writing your Chef cover letter, it’s best to type the content into the body of your email (or the job site messaging system) and not to attach the cover letter as a separate document.

This ensures that your cover letter gets seen as soon as a recruiter or employer opens your message.

If you attach the cover letter as a document, you’re making the reader go through an unnecessary step of opening the document before reading it.

If it’s in the body of the message itself, it will be seen instantly, which hugely increases the chances of it being read.

Start with a friendly greeting

To build an instant connection with the recruiter reading your cover letter, start with a warm greeting.

It should be friendly but not casual – keeping it professional at all times.

• Hi, hope you’re well
• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very traditional companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

After you have greeted the recruiter, it’s important to state the job you are applying to.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so they need to know exactly which job you are referring to.

Be as specific as possible and use a reference number if you can find one.

Here are some examples you can use;

• I am interested in applying for the role of admin assistant with your organisation.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 4057393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advertisement for a trainee project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The sole objective of your cover letter is to motivate recruiters into to opening your CV. And you achieve this by quickly explaining your suitability to the roles you are applying for.

Take a look at the job descriptions you are applying to, and make note of the most important skills and qualifications being asked for.

Then, when crafting your cover letter, make your suitability the central focus.

Explain why you are the best qualified candidate, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.

This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider you for the job.

Keep it short and sharp

A good cover letter is short and sharp, getting to the point quickly with just enough information to grab the attention of recruiters.

Ideally your cover letter should be around 4-8 sentences long – anything longer will risk losing the attention of time-strapped recruiters and hiring managers .

Essentially you need to include just enough information to persuade the reader to open up your CV, where the in-depth details will sit.

Sign off professionally

To round of your CV, you should sign off with a professional signature.

This will give your cover letter a slick appearance and also give the recruiter all of the necessary contact information they need to get in touch with you.

The information to add should include:

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Kindest regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network –  e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Jill North IT Project Manager 078837437373 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip: To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate documents that you could copy in.

What to include in your Chef cover letter

Your Chef cover letter will be unique to your situation, but there are certain content guidelines you should stick to for best results.

To attract and entice recruiters, stick with the following key subjects in your cover letter – adapting them to fit your profession and target jobs.

• Your professional experience – Employers will be keen to know if your experience is suitable for the job you are applying to, so provide a good summary of it in your cover letter.
• Your qualifications and education – Highlight your most relevant and high-level of qualification, especially if they are essential to the job.
• The positive impact you have made – Employers love to hear about the benefits you can bring to them, so shout about anything impressive you have done, such as saving money or improving processes.
• Your reasons for leaving – Use a few words of your cover letter to explain why you are leaving your current job and ensure you avoid any negative reasons.
• Your availability – Let recruiters know when you can start a new job . Are you immediately available, or do you have a month notice period?

To round up

Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a Chef job, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.

By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.

Good luck with your job search!

Chef Cover Letter: 3 Samples & Writing Guide

A chef cover letter is your professional introduction to the prospective employer. 

It must be written in a way that entices the hiring manager to view your resume and call you for an interview subsequently.

How to Write a Perfect Cover Letter for Chef Position?

In order to make an attractive and professional cover letter for a chef position, view the 6 tips mentioned below.

• Address your letter directly to the person who has the authority to hire you.
• Divide your cover letter into three to four paragraphs.
• In the first paragraph, write why you are a perfect candidate for the chef position.
• In the second and third paragraphs, highlight your skills and accomplishments, as well as your motivation to contribute to the kitchen of the employer.
• In the last paragraph, reaffirm your interest and write about your follow-up plan.

Considering the points mentioned above, the following are three sample chef cover letters to assist you further.

Chef Cover Letter Sample 1 Experience: 10+ Years

John Doe 457 Example Street Dallas, TX 75777 (000) 852-1421 [Email]

January 18, 2023

Ms. Sara Dew Hiring Manager Hilton Anatole 48 Some Street Dallas, TX 75777

Dear Ms. Dew:

I am very interested in speaking with you regarding the Chef position currently available at Hilton Anatole. My 12+ years of culinary arts experience, coupled with my food handler certificate and a diploma in food and nutrition makes me an exceptional candidate.

As can be seen in the attached resume, I am highly skilled in inspecting food items, planning and developing menus, and supervising cooks and kitchen staff to get the best results. Throughout my career, I developed techniques for food preparation and presentation and established menu prices. Also, I provided continuous guidance to line cooks and ensured that the inventory was stocked with fresh ingredients.

Not to mention, I am recognized for maintaining high standards of sanitation, health, and safety. Also, I am able to inspect supplies, equipment, and work areas to ensure compliance with the established standards.

As a passionate and driven chef, I am eager to utilize my skills with full energy to contribute to the success of Hilton Anatole. I will contact you next week to schedule a prescreening, in which I will be able to discuss my culinary talents in detail. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at (000) 852-1421.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

John Doe (000) 852-1421

Chef Cover Letter Sample 2 (5-9 Years Experience)

Fiona Miller (000) 141.1421 f.miller@email

Mr. Tyler Edward HR Manager City Diners 82 Silverbell Ave Crystal Lake, IL 78331

Dear Mr. Edward:

The parallels between your Chef position and my qualifications are striking and qualify me well to bring my talents to City Diners. My associate’s degree in culinary arts, coupled with 6+ years of successful culinary track record makes me a perfect contender.

First of all, I offer a rare combination of culinary arts skills and leadership acumen. This combination helped me in improving the customer base at ABC Restaurant by 50% in the first six months.

My work experience with two international hospitality chains has provided me with a lot of exposure to creating and price menus while managing a fast-paced kitchen. As a creative person, I enjoy experimenting with new flavors and have a unique talent for fusion cooking. Not to mention, I have been recognized for my ability to prepare signature dishes.

Because of my sociable nature, I enjoy interacting with people and working on group projects. My employers recognized me as a detail-oriented Chef who thrives in high-pressure environments. The most compelling evidence of my candidacy is the “Employee of the Year” that I obtained in 2019.

All things considered, I feel confident that I will be an immediate contributor and would like to discuss this in detail. I will call you after a few days to follow up. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincere regards,

Fiona Miller (000) 141.1421

Chef Cover Letter Sample 3 Experience: 1-5 Years

Gary Butler 332 Pine Street Centralia, WA 91020 (000) 987-8987 Gary @ email . com

Mr. Dann Cobb Restaurant Manager The Tree Lounge 8723 Tower Avenue Centralia, WA 98532

Dear Mr. Cobb:

If you are looking for a passionate chef who is dedicated to his work, has culinary training, and can manage your kitchen operations to meet the diverse needs of customers, then we have a good reason to meet.

The following qualifications will help me to contribute to your bottom line:

• Specialized courses in culinary arts, international cuisines, and healthier food alternatives
• Hands-on experience in developing menus and recipes according to local clientele and modifying existing ones to meet the changing requirements of clients
• Demonstrated ability to create aesthetically pleasing and palatable cuisines within a minimal budget
• Well-versed in operating standard kitchen equipment safely and efficiently
• Ability to adhere to all sanitation and food production codes

Generally speaking, I can oversee your cooking standards to maintain a high quality of food and service. To discuss this in detail, I’d like to meet with you. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Gary Butler

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Home / Cover Letter Examples / Chef Cover Letter Sample

Chef Cover Letter Advice from HR Pros

Introduction

Modern cover letters have very specific requirements. Some of them are spelt out and you can find them online. Others are not usually public knowledge and are only known to professional job recruiters and HR experts, many of whom are often unwilling to share this information. Even so, if you intend to develop a robust, compelling, and ultimately effective modern cover letter , you have to adhere to the best chef cover letter examples made from the tips provided by the aforementioned professionals.

• A chef in the US is 40 years old on average.
• There were around 145,000 registered chefs in the United States in 2022.
• There are 3 male chefs for every female chef in the United States.

Source: Zippia

In this article, we have assembled some of the most useful tips from HR professionals with a high proficiency in resume and cover letter building. If you will use these tips to construct your cover letter for chefs, you will be a step away from landing the chef job of your dreams.

The first feature of cover letters that makes them stand out from resumes is structure. The modern cover letter is made up of three major sections, as well as two others that are formalities. The main sections are the opening or introductory section, the middle paragraphs, and the closing . The other sections are the header and the greeting. Compared to the others, the latter sections are much shorter and would not require you to crack your head on what to write to convince the recruiter that you are the best chef for the job.

Correct & Incorrect

Your cover letter must summarize your resume.

Your cover letter should put the information in your resume in context and expand on it with persuasive information.

According to the expert recruiters we consulted, the header and greeting sections are as important in modern cover letters as any other sections. Specifically, these sections serve as markers for hiring managers to determine whether or not you are a serious candidate for the chef position or are well-informed enough to be considered qualified. What we mean by this is that once a recruiter picks up your cover letter, the first areas their eyes would move to would be the header and greeting sections. Due to the structure of the modern cover letter, these sections stand out: the header at the beginning of the cover letter and the greeting that follows immediately after. The implication of this is that once you flop with your header, the recruiter might not care to go further. So, knowing what to include to win the attention of the hiring executive is important.

Generally, the header section is the part of the cover letter that introduces you. Every other section can be duplicated by other candidates. This is because the header section only holds your personal information, namely, your name, certifications (or credentials), and maybe the date you submitted the cover letter.

Here are some of the tips that we got from professional recruiters on the best way to write the header section in a chef cover letter:

• Make sure your full name comes first: Telling you that writing your full name is the first thing you need to do in your cover letter may seem like overkill. However, there are different chef cover letter examples that you will find online, some with the name of the applicant written across the cover letter as if to claim ownership of the paper. So, make sure that your name comes before anything else.
• Include certifications in abbreviations: In addition to your name in the header section, you must also include some of your most relevant educational or professional certifications. Furthermore, these certification titles must be written in block letters.
• Add your city of residence: The last information that you are required to add in the header section of your chef cover letter is your residential address. Because of the connotations of this feature in traditional cover letters, many job applicants don’t understand that their addresses also serve as a measure of their qualifications. For example, if the advertised chef position is located in New York and your residential address is in San Francisco, you will likely not get the job. You don't need to input your street address. The city address is enough.

Mason Baker, MA., CFSP, CCC

Westchester, New York

+1 (212) 123-4567

[email protected]

The Cover Letter Greeting

Because this section is the shortest among the sections of the cover letter, few candidates try to understand what salutation they use to address the hiring manager. What these candidates don’t know is that recruiters often have their eyes peeled for this and so it serves as a kind of qualification section.

There is very little space for innovation in the greeting section of your chef cover letter. There are a few standard phrases that you can choose from. However, the best one to use depends on the situation as there is no standard for the greeting section except that it must be acceptable to recruiters.

So, here are some tips to guide you in writing the best greeting section for your chef cover letter:

• Use the name of the recruiter: Without question, the best salutation or greeting for your chef cover letter is one that refers to the name of the recruiter. The effect of this choice is strong and multiple: one, you tell the recruiter that you are up-to-date with the courtesy of modern cover letter writing; and two, you demonstrate to the hiring manager that you conducted a research and found their name. Both of these effects are bonuses for you; so as long as you can find the name of the recruiter, don’t hesitate to use it in your chef cover letter.
• Write ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ or ‘Dear Recruiter’ if you cannot find their name: There are many cases in which the name of the recruiter is not known. If this is the case for you, you are allowed to use ‘Dear Hiring Manager,’ ‘Dear Hiring Team,’ or ‘Dear Recruiter.’ As long as you address them along these lines, you will pass the informal test of the hiring executives in charge of the qualification rounds.
• Do not use more than 3 words in the greeting section: The suggestions we have shared so far are 3 words max—Dear Hiring Manager. Adding more words is trying to be innovative and that is not allowed with the greeting section.

Use resources like LinkedIn or the About section of the company's website to find the name of the HR head.

The Cover Letter Introduction

The Introduction section of your chef cover letter is the paragraph where you can get innovative. Even though this paragraph is usually short, it holds all of the information contained in the rest of your cover letter in such a way that the hiring executives can read it and skip everything else. As a result, this section packs the most information in the fewest words possible, starting and ending with the exact requirements of the advertised chef position.

The easiest way to think of the Introduction section of a modern cover letter is as the equivalent of the Resume Summary section in modern resumes. This implies that the section easily sums up the most salient points of your chef cover letter, delivering the recruiters with everything they need to decide whether or not you qualify for the advertised position. So, once the recruiter reads your introduction and gets hooked, they are very likely to recommend you for the job.

All of these show the importance of writing a good introduction section. But what does this section contain exactly? As we mentioned earlier, the introduction section in a modern cover letter summarizes everything. Specifically, it is like a key that captures the most essential aspects of your cover letter, especially your credentials, professional experience, and the assurance that you are qualified for the advertised chef role.

Based on the tips we obtained from the hiring experts, here are some of practical must-dos for writing a compelling introduction section in your chef cover letter:

• Focus entirely on the job description: With modern cover letters, the smaller the section, the greater the level of importance that hiring professionals place on it. The introduction section is usually no more than 5 sentences in total, so you have a short window within which you must introduce yourself and prove your worth as a chef that is qualified for the advertised role. An easy way to achieve this is to follow a format: to emphasize what you are (a practiced and professional chef), what you have and can do, and how you fit the requirements of the job. Once you manage to script your introduction section along these lines, your chef cover letter will be on its way to completion.
• Draw attention to your years of experience: Although this may not be altogether important, professional experience is a common requirement for chef or restaurant cook positions. So, if the job description highlights years of professional experience, make sure to mention it in your introduction.
• Refer to relevant hard and soft skills: After professional experience, skills are the qualifying variables of job recruitment. Once again, the hard and soft skills that you include in the introduction section of your chef cover letter must align with what is in the job description.
• Strong closing: Also, you must close your introduction section in a strong manner. The best way to go about this is to tie the job requirements to your capacity to fulfill them. Thus, close your introduction section by assuring the recruiters that you are a suitable candidate on the basis of the job description.

Dear Hiring Team,

My name is Mason Baker, an experienced chef with a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Food Studies, and CFSP and CCC certifications from NAFEM and ACF respectively. I have 14 years of professional experience working at Dane House Restaurant and Upland Union Square in New York. I discovered the advertisement for an available chef position at your restaurant on LinkedIn and would like to apply for it. Apart from my educational and professional certifications, I am also a tested manager with strong accounting skills. Thus, I am a suitable candidate for the position and hope that you will consider my application.

The Middle Paragraphs

Most of the tips from the HR professionals on compelling chef cover letters have been highlighted in the Introduction section. This is because every other section, that is, the middle and closing paragraphs are simply extensions of what has already been captured in the introduction section.

So, if you want the middle paragraphs of your chef cover letter to stand out, you have to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Write around the specifications of the job description: The middle paragraphs are essential because they hold the most information in your chef cover letter. Therefore, you may be tempted to go off topic. Don’t fall for this temptation. Only write about your education, professional certifications, and professional experience in this section.
• Highlight your achievements: If you intend for your middle paragraphs to stand out, make a note of at least 2 of the most compelling achievements in past employment. Use bullet points to show these achievements since many recruiters will only spend a few seconds in your middle paragraphs.
• Write in a straightforward manner: Your use of the English language is very important here. Do not write in long and flowery language. Be concise and straight to the point .

From the LinkedIn advert, your restaurant wants to hire a chef with at least 10 years of experience and a University degree in Culinary Arts or a related discipline. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts from the University of New York and a Master’s in Food Studies from the same institution. For the last 9 years, I worked as the chief chef at Upland Union Square, one of the most high-profile restaurants in New York. Before that, I was the chef for the New York branch of Dane House Restaurant. During my time at Upland Union Square, apart from cooking and supervising other employees, I also

• Designed an online menu for customers to ensure an omnichannel delivery service,
• Engaged the New York city council on food safety and customer satisfaction, and
• Proposed a decentralized accounting ledger to ensure transparency in finance.

Conclusion and Closing Section

The Conclusion and Closing section of your chef cover letter is how you seal the deal. Therefore, it is also a very important section. Remember that this is an extension of the last line of your introduction section. Also, it stands out because it is the last or second-to-the-last line in your cover letter. Thus, it is very visible and will not take recruiters long to read it.

To close your chef cover letter effectively, you must be polite but not overly polite. A ‘Thank you’ is essential, but a ‘Thank you so very much. I am so very very grateful’ is overkill and unpleasant. Also, make sure you emphasize that you are qualified for the role and request that the hiring executives contact you if they have questions.

From the specifications of the job description in your advert, my skills, experience, and qualifications are ideal for the role. However, if you have questions about my abilities or service, you can reach out to me at [email protected]. Please, send feedback on this application.

• Write in a direct, and straightforward manner.
• Use keywords .
• Use the same font style throughout the cover letter.
• Make sure that your cover letter is no longer than 1 page (that is, US Letter format which is 215,9mm by 279,4mm).

If you have questions about writing compelling cover letters, you can consult these articles:

You can write a convincing cover letter with the tips in this article. If you stick to their specifications, you will land the job of your dreams as a chef.

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Chef Cover Letter Example

Boost your chances of getting hired and find ideas for your next cover letter with our free, editable Chef cover letter example. Download this cover letter example at no cost or rewrite it directly in our simple yet powerful cover letter creator.

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Chef Cover Letter Example (Full Text Version)

Margus sibul.

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the Chef position at La Via Restaurant in Paris. With over 6 years of experience in the culinary industry and a Diplome de Cuisine with Culinary Management from Le Cordon Bleu London, I believe I would be a valuable addition to your team.

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated strong leadership skills, the ability to work under pressure, and excel in fast-paced environments. My experience at Marriott International, Inc. involved overseeing food quality, managing catering for events, meal preparation, and budget control. I have a proven track record of exceeding goals and targets, as well as exceptional communication skills with customers.

I have a keen eye for detail, creativity, and quick decision-making abilities that would benefit any establishment. Fluent in multiple languages and passionate about continuous improvement, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the renowned La Via Restaurant.

I have attached my resume and references for your review. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of working with your team.

Sincerely, Margus Sibul

Milan Šaržík, CPRW

Milan’s work-life has been centered around job search for the past three years. He is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) as well as an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches (PARWCC™). Milan holds a record for creating the most career document samples for our help center – until today, he has written more than 500 resumes and cover letters for positions across various industries. On top of that, Milan has completed studies at multiple well-known institutions, including Harvard University, University of Glasgow, and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.

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Bartender Housekeeping Restaurant Manager Concierge Hotel Manager Food Preparation Animator Waiter Chef

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Chef Cover Letter Example (Free Guide)

Create an chef cover letter that lands you the interview with our free examples and writing tips. use and customize our template and land an interview today..

Are you looking to create a standout chef cover letter? Look no further! Our Chef Cover Letter Guide will help you craft an effective letter that will help you get the job you desire. We have compiled the best tips, tricks and advice to prepare you for the job search process. With this guide, you will be well-equipped to make an impact on potential employers and make your mark in the culinary world.

We will cover:

• How to write a cover letter, no matter your industry or job title.
• What to put on a cover letter to stand out.
• The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
• How to build a cover letter fast with our professional Cover Letter Builder .
• What a cover letter template is, and why you should use it.

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Dear [Hiring Manager],

I am writing to apply for the Chef position at [Company Name]. After reading the job description, I am confident that my culinary expertise and leadership skills make me an ideal fit for your organization.

My career as a chef has spanned more than 10 years and includes a variety of roles in both fine dining and casual restaurants. Most recently, I was the Executive Chef at [Restaurant], where I was responsible for creating and executing daily menus, training and managing staff, and ensuring that the highest standards of food safety were met. Under my guidance, the restaurant achieved its highest ever customer satisfaction ratings and revenue growth.

I have a strong culinary background, and I am well-versed in various cuisines from around the world. Additionally, I have extensive experience in menu planning, cost control, and inventory management. I pride myself on my ability to stay up to date with the latest trends in food and hospitality, and I am always eager to learn something new.

I have a proven track record of creating innovative and delicious dishes that wow customers and drive business. I am also passionate about mentoring and developing my team, and I have a knack for creating a positive work environment.

I am confident that I will be a great addition to your team. I am available to discuss the position in more detail and look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Why Do you Need a Chef Cover Letter?

• A Chef cover letter is a great way to showcase your unique culinary skills and experience.
• A Chef cover letter can help set you apart from other applicants and demonstrate your passion for the culinary arts.
• A Chef cover letter can also give potential employers an insight into your personality and work ethic.
• Your Chef cover letter should highlight your technical skills, work experience, and any relevant education or certificates.
• A Chef cover letter is a great opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the specific cuisine you specialize in and showcase any creative ideas you have for potential employers.
• A Chef cover letter can also be an effective way to demonstrate why you would be the perfect fit for the position.

A Few Important Rules To Keep In Mind

• Start your cover letter by introducing yourself and stating the job you're applying for.
• Outline your experience and qualifications for the job. Be sure to include any relevant education, certifications, and work experience you have.
• Highlight any particular accomplishments or awards you have received in your culinary career.
• Explain why you are an ideal candidate for the job. Focus on your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
• Close your cover letter by thanking the employer for their consideration.

What's The Best Structure For Chef Cover Letters?

After creating an impressive Chef resume , the next step is crafting a compelling cover letter to accompany your job applications. It's essential to remember that your cover letter should maintain a formal tone and follow a recommended structure. But what exactly does this structure entail, and what key elements should be included in a Chef cover letter? Let's explore the guidelines and components that will make your cover letter stand out.

Key Components For Chef Cover Letters:

• Your contact information, including the date of writing
• The recipient's details, such as the company's name and the name of the addressee
• A professional greeting or salutation, like "Dear Mr. Levi,"
• An attention-grabbing opening statement to captivate the reader's interest
• A concise paragraph explaining why you are an excellent fit for the role
• Another paragraph highlighting why the position aligns with your career goals and aspirations
• A closing statement that reinforces your enthusiasm and suitability for the role
• A complimentary closing, such as "Regards" or "Sincerely," followed by your name
• An optional postscript (P.S.) to add a brief, impactful note or mention any additional relevant information.

Cover Letter Header

A header in a cover letter should typically include the following information:

• Your Full Name: Begin with your first and last name, written in a clear and legible format.
• Contact Information: Include your phone number, email address, and optionally, your mailing address. Providing multiple methods of contact ensures that the hiring manager can reach you easily.
• Date: Add the date on which you are writing the cover letter. This helps establish the timeline of your application.

It's important to place the header at the top of the cover letter, aligning it to the left or center of the page. This ensures that the reader can quickly identify your contact details and know when the cover letter was written.

Cover Letter Greeting / Salutation

A greeting in a cover letter should contain the following elements:

• Personalized Salutation: Address the hiring manager or the specific recipient of the cover letter by their name. If the name is not mentioned in the job posting or you are unsure about the recipient's name, it's acceptable to use a general salutation such as "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Team."
• Professional Tone: Maintain a formal and respectful tone throughout the greeting. Avoid using overly casual language or informal expressions.
• Correct Spelling and Title: Double-check the spelling of the recipient's name and ensure that you use the appropriate title (e.g., Mr., Ms., Dr., or Professor) if applicable. This shows attention to detail and professionalism.

For example, a suitable greeting could be "Dear Ms. Johnson," or "Dear Hiring Manager," depending on the information available. It's important to tailor the greeting to the specific recipient to create a personalized and professional tone for your cover letter.

Cover Letter Introduction

An introduction for a cover letter should capture the reader's attention and provide a brief overview of your background and interest in the position. Here's how an effective introduction should look:

• Opening Statement: Start with a strong opening sentence that immediately grabs the reader's attention. Consider mentioning your enthusiasm for the job opportunity or any specific aspect of the company or organization that sparked your interest.
• Brief Introduction: Provide a concise introduction of yourself and mention the specific position you are applying for. Include any relevant background information, such as your current role, educational background, or notable achievements that are directly related to the position.
• Connection to the Company: Demonstrate your knowledge of the company or organization and establish a connection between your skills and experiences with their mission, values, or industry. Showcasing your understanding and alignment with their goals helps to emphasize your fit for the role.
• Engaging Hook: Consider including a compelling sentence or two that highlights your unique selling points or key qualifications that make you stand out from other candidates. This can be a specific accomplishment, a relevant skill, or an experience that demonstrates your value as a potential employee.
• Transition to the Body: Conclude the introduction by smoothly transitioning to the main body of the cover letter, where you will provide more detailed information about your qualifications, experiences, and how they align with the requirements of the position.

By following these guidelines, your cover letter introduction will make a strong first impression and set the stage for the rest of your application.

Cover Letter Body

I am writing to apply for the position of Chef at [Restaurant]. With my experience in the culinary arts and knowledge of food safety regulations, I am confident I would be an asset to your team.

I have been a professional chef for over [#] years, and I specialize in [cuisine] cuisine. During my career, I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, from busy restaurants to private residences. I am comfortable working in both high-pressure and fast-paced environments. I am also knowledgeable in a variety of cooking techniques and have an understanding of food safety regulations.

I am passionate about creating innovative dishes that combine classic flavors with a modern twist. I have a talent for creating unique dishes that are both aesthetically pleasing and delicious. I also have experience in menu planning and developing recipes. I am confident that I can create an excellent menu that will appeal to a wide range of customers.

In addition to my culinary skills, I have excellent customer service and problem-solving skills. I am able to work with a team and I am always willing to take initiative and take on additional responsibilities. I also have a strong understanding of the importance of food safety and I always take the extra steps to ensure that our food is prepared in a safe and sanitary manner.

I am confident that I can bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to your team. I have attached my resume for your review and I look forward to hearing from you.

[Your Name]

Complimentary Close

The conclusion and signature of a cover letter provide a final opportunity to leave a positive impression and invite further action. Here's how the conclusion and signature of a cover letter should look:

• Summary of Interest: In the conclusion paragraph, summarize your interest in the position and reiterate your enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the organization or school. Emphasize the value you can bring to the role and briefly mention your key qualifications or unique selling points.
• Appreciation and Gratitude: Express appreciation for the reader's time and consideration in reviewing your application. Thank them for the opportunity to be considered for the position and acknowledge any additional materials or documents you have included, such as references or a portfolio.
• Call to Action: Conclude the cover letter with a clear call to action. Indicate your availability for an interview or express your interest in discussing the opportunity further. Encourage the reader to contact you to schedule a meeting or provide any additional information they may require.
• Complimentary Closing: Choose a professional and appropriate complimentary closing to end your cover letter, such as "Sincerely," "Best Regards," or "Thank you." Ensure the closing reflects the overall tone and formality of the letter.
• Signature: Below the complimentary closing, leave space for your handwritten signature. Sign your name in ink using a legible and professional style. If you are submitting a digital or typed cover letter, you can simply type your full name.
• Typed Name: Beneath your signature, type your full name in a clear and readable font. This allows for easy identification and ensures clarity in case the handwritten signature is not clear.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Chef Cover Letter

When crafting a cover letter, it's essential to present yourself in the best possible light to potential employers. However, there are common mistakes that can hinder your chances of making a strong impression. By being aware of these pitfalls and avoiding them, you can ensure that your cover letter effectively highlights your qualifications and stands out from the competition. In this article, we will explore some of the most common mistakes to avoid when writing a cover letter, providing you with valuable insights and practical tips to help you create a compelling and impactful introduction that captures the attention of hiring managers. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career journey, understanding these mistakes will greatly enhance your chances of success in the job application process. So, let's dive in and discover how to steer clear of these common missteps and create a standout cover letter that gets you noticed by potential employers.

• Not addressing the cover letter to the specific person or job posting.
• Not researching the company or job posting before writing the cover letter.
• Using inappropriate or unprofessional language.
• Not customizing your cover letter to the job.
• Not focusing on the key skills and experience that are most relevant to the job.
• Not proofreading the cover letter for grammar and spelling errors.
• Using a generic cover letter template.
• Not addressing the job qualifications in the cover letter.
• Forgetting to include contact information.
• Not including a professional closing statement.

Key Takeaways For a Chef Cover Letter

• Highlight any prior culinary experience.
• Provide examples of how you have incorporated new techniques and ingredients into your work.
• Explain why you are passionate about the industry.
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic and dedication to the craft.
• Showcase how you have worked with a team and how you have taken on leadership responsibilities.
• Detail any awards or recognition you have received for your culinary work.
• Mention any additional qualifications or certifications you hold.

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7 Chef Resume Examples to Get You Hired in 2024

Best for senior and mid-level candidates

There’s plenty of room in our elegant resume template to add your professional experience while impressing recruiters with a sleek design.

Resume Builder

Like this template? Customize this resume and make it your own with the help of our Al-powered suggestions, accent colors, and modern fonts.

Chef Resume

• Chef Resume by Experiences
• Chef Resumes by Role

You can memorize any recipe, cook any dish, and work with diverse kitchen teams. You’re an amazing chef, and you can’t wait for your next employer to experience your skills!

The  US Bureau of Labor Statistics  estimates that the demand for chefs will rise by at least 6% between 2019 and 2029, which is faster than average. So, while more places are in need of a great chef, chances are there are hundreds of other interested candidates.

To increase your chance of landing your dream job as a chef, you’ll need to write a cover letter and resume. We have created seven of the best chef resume samples to guide you as you  write your own chef resume .

We’ve reviewed thousands of resumes and identified common mistakes many chefs make when writing their resumes.  Thankfully, this chef resume writing guide will help you come up with the kind of resume that will increase your chances of getting hired in 2024 .

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• Always customize your summary by including the employer’s name and position you’re seeking.
• This means you have to clearly demonstrate your relevant experience. If you have certifications or additional training, make sure to include it on your chef resume.
• If you can show how and why you’ve used certain certificates or training on the job, be sure to include that in your chef cover letter .

Entry-Level Chef Resume

• When writing a career objective, you need to mention keywords that will grab the interviewer’s attention, such as “assist kitchen staff,” “maintain a clean working area,” and “customer service experience.”
• Always make sure to include the name of the employer and the position you’re seeking.

Sous Chef Resume

• As a sous chef, you’ve probably written a resume before, but it can help to review  common resume tips  to ensure your resume is easy to read, comprehensive, and aesthetically pleasing.
• If you have any skills listed in the job description, make sure to include them in your skills section or work experience bullets. And don’t forge to list specific achievements in your sous chef resume.
• For example, did your restaurant win any awards? Did you save your employer money? 

Executive Chef Resume

• If you’ve had the chance to help hire or manage other kitchen or service staff, be sure to include that. Employers always like to see leadership skills!
• Always double-check the executive chef job description for relevant keywords you can include, like “budgeting,” “food preparation,” and “recipe creation.”

Private Chef Resume

• Besides this, feel free to express your personal skills such as food presentation to pack your private chef resume with your key strengths.

Sushi Chef Resume

• Adding your creative past experiences and soft skills can take your sushi chef resume up a notch.

Pastry Chef Resume

• Start by only listing your most relevant experience. No employer needs to know every job you’ve held since you were 16.
• Once you’ve included the experience you want, mark down only your most notable accomplishments. And some responsibilities can be joined together, like monitoring ingredient consumption, labor costs, and customer preferences to manage the kitchen budget.
• Even the best writers make mistakes, so always run your resume through a  resume checker  to ensure there aren’t any misspelled words, punctuation errors, or grammar issues.  

Related resume guides

• Food Service Worker
• Restaurant.