Kitchen Assistant Resume Guide
Kitchen assistants are responsible for keeping the kitchen clean, organized and stocked. They also help with food preparation, cooking and serving. Kitchen assistants typically work under the supervision of a head chef or cook.
You have all the skills and experience required to be a kitchen assistant, but employers don’t know who you are. To let them see your potential, write a resume that highlights your best qualities.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Kitchen Assistant Resume Sample
Karolann Moen
Kitchen Assistant
[email protected]
910-473-9716
linkedin.com/in/karolann-moen
Summary
Dependable kitchen assistant with 3 years of experience in food preparation and cooking. Trained in all aspects of food safety and sanitation. Seeking to leverage culinary skills to prepare healthy meals at ABC. At XYZ, assisted the head chef in preparing meals for up to 200 people daily. Maintained cleanliness standards and ensured that all kitchen equipment was properly sanitized.
Experience
Kitchen Assistant, Company ABC
Sunrise Manor, Jan 2018 – Present
- Revised the kitchen’s stock-ordering system, resulting in a 15% reduction in food wastage.
- Introduced a new dish to the menu that was well-received by customers and resulted in a 5% increase in sales.
- Advised the head chef on ways to streamline food preparation, leading to a 10% decrease in prep time for meals.
- Formulated a plan to reduce food costs by 20%, which was approved by management and implemented successfully.
- Accurately prepared all dishes according to recipe, ensuring consistent quality for customers.
Kitchen Assistant, Company XYZ
Memphis, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Reliably completed tasks assigned by head chef, including prepping ingredients, cooking food items and plating finished dishes.
- Quickly diced, sliced and chopped vegetables and meats according to recipe specifications; streamlined prep work by 35% on average.
- Adhered strictly to all food safety guidelines when handling raw ingredients and cooked dishes; minimized the risk of contamination or illness.
- Maintained a clean and organized workstation at all times; washed pots, pans and utensils as needed throughout each shift.
- Assisted with unloading deliveries of fresh produce, meat & seafood products from suppliers; stored perishable items properly in walk-in fridge & freezer units.
Skills
- Teamwork
- Time Management
- Communication
- Cooking
- Event Planning
- Food
- Food And Beverage
- Catering
Education
High School Diploma
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
ServSafe Food Handler
National Restaurant Association
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
The summary/objective at the top of your resume is like a teaser – it gives the employer an outline of who you are and why you excel as a kitchen assistant.
Here is where you can showcase your best qualities. For example, you could talk about how quickly and efficiently you can prep meals, how well you work under pressure, and how cleanly you always keep the kitchen.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Reliable kitchen assistant with more than three years of experience in busy restaurants. Trained in all aspects of food preparation, including knife skills, cooking techniques, and portion control. Seeking to leverage my organizational skills and knowledge of food safety to help ABC restaurant run smoothly and efficiently.
Talented kitchen assistant with 6+ years of experience in food preparation and cooking. Seeking to leverage culinary skills to grow with the XYZ restaurant chain. At ABC, increased efficiency by 20% through process improvements and menu development ideas. Recognized as “Employee of the Month” 3 times for outstanding customer service and teamwork.
Determined and hardworking kitchen assistant with 2+ years of experience in a professional cooking environment. Reliable and adaptable, able to work well under pressure and maintain a high standard of cleanliness and safety at all times. Seeking a challenging role as a kitchen assistant at ABC restaurant where I can continue to develop my skillset and grow within the company.
Detail-oriented Kitchen Assistant with 3 years of experience in a professional kitchen environment. Seeking to leverage background in food preparation, sanitation, and customer service to grow with the XYZ team. At ABC, responsible for preparing food according to recipes while adhering to all safety and health regulations. Maintained cleanliness throughout the kitchen and ensured that all equipment was properly sanitized.
Driven kitchen assistant with 4+ years of experience in busy restaurants. Seeking to leverage organizational and multitasking skills to support the head chef at ABC restaurant. At XYZ, managed inventory and waste while prepping food for 200 customers per shift. Maintained cleanliness standards that exceeded state health department guidelines.
Hard-working kitchen assistant with three years of experience in a fast-paced restaurant environment. Seeking to leverage my organizational and culinary skills to help XYZ Restaurant Group grow. At ABC, increased efficiency by 15% through better organization of the kitchen staff. Recognized as “Employee of the Month” for outstanding customer service and team leadership.
Skilled kitchen assistant with 3+ years of experience in a professional kitchen environment. Seeking to leverage culinary training and knife skills to become the next line cook at ABC Restaurant. In previous roles, increased efficiency by 15% via process improvements and implemented new menu items that generated $2,000 in additional revenue per month.
Passionate kitchen assistant with 3+ years of experience in food preparation and cooking. Efficiently managed the operations of a busy kitchen at XYZ restaurant, while consistently providing quality dishes to customers. Seeking to leverage my skills and knowledge to contribute to the success of your team at ABC.
Proficient kitchen assistant with more than 3 years of experience in food preparation and cooking. Seeking to leverage abilities to become the next ABC head chef. In previous roles, increased efficiency by 30% through process improvements and menu changes. Also, successfully completed culinary arts certification from XYZ University.
2. Experience / Employment
In the experience section, you will highlight your work history. As this is typically one of the most important sections of a resume, make sure to list your jobs in reverse chronological order (i.e., your most recent job first).
When detailing what you did at each position, use bullet points. This allows for quick and easy reading. You’ll want to take some time to think about the specifics of what you did and any quantifiable results obtained.
For example, instead of saying “Helped with food prep,” you could say, “Assisted head chef with food preparation tasks such as chopping vegetables and cooking meat; completed all tasks efficiently and within set timeframe.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Prepped
- Cooked
- Cleaned
- Organized
- Stocked
- Washed
- Cut
- Sliced
- Diced
- Peeled
- Portioned
- Served
- Garnished
- Plated
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Coordinated
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Prepared meals for up to 100 customers per shift, following recipes and instructions from head chef.
- Expedited food orders during busy periods, working quickly and efficiently to ensure that all customers received their meals in a timely manner.
- Diligently washed dishes, pots and pans after each meal service, keeping the kitchen clean and organized at all times.
- Cut vegetables and fruits for use in salads, side dishes and desserts; also responsible for cleaning and chopping meats as needed.
- Spearheaded the implementation of a new dishwashing system that reduced water usage by 30%.
- Consistently prepped and organized ingredients for the chef de cuisine, resulting in a more efficient workflow and fewer wasted ingredients.
- Demonstrated excellent knife skills when chopping vegetables, meats and fruits; reduced prep time by 15 minutes per dish on average.
- Presented plated dishes to the head waiter/waitress for approval before serving to customers; ensured that all orders were served promptly and according to customer specifications.
- Followed strict food safety guidelines at all times when handling raw ingredients, preparing cooked dishes and cleaning kitchen utensils; lowered the incidence of food contamination by 20%.
- Maintained a clean and organized workstation throughout each shift, including sweeping floors, wiping down counters and washing pots & pans; minimized health & safety risks in the kitchen area.
- Utilized a knife, peeler and other kitchen utensils to prep vegetables for soup, salad and entrée dishes; completed all assigned prep work within 2 hours.
- Mentored new kitchen staff on food safety procedures and proper handling of kitchen equipment; led by example to ensure that the kitchen was always clean and organized.
- Structured the nightly cleaning schedule for the kitchen staff and ensured that all areas were cleaned thoroughly before closing; lowered number of health code violations by 25%.
- Actively participated in monthly inventory checks, ordering supplies as needed and keeping track of perishable items to minimize food waste; saved the restaurant an average of $200 a month in food costs.
- Demonstrated excellent customer service skills when interacting with diners, taking orders accurately and efficiently relaying them to the chef; increased table turnover rate by 10%.
- Assessed kitchen stock and placed orders for new supplies on a weekly basis, keeping the kitchen well-stocked at all times.
- Competently prepared meals according to set recipes, ensuring that all dishes were cooked to perfection.
- Reduced food wastage by 20% through careful portion control and efficient use of ingredients.
- Reorganized the kitchen storage area to create a more efficient workflow; this reduced preparation time for meals by 15 minutes on average.
- Participated in monthly team meetings to discuss menu planning and other relevant issues; provided valuable input that was instrumental in improving overall service quality.
- Effectively managed the kitchen, ensuring that all food was prepared on time and to the correct specifications.
- Compiled a menu of 50+ dishes, including starters, main courses and desserts; updated the menu regularly in line with customer feedback and seasonal produce availability.
- Garnished plates with edible flowers, herbs and other decorations as per chef’s instructions; plated up food for 100+ customers every day.
- Represented the restaurant at industry events and trade shows; won 3 awards for ‘Best Presentation’ over 2 years.
- Cooked meals for VIP guests and dignitaries on request; catered for special occasions such as weddings & anniversaries upon request.
- Washed dishes, pots and pans by hand using dish soap and a scrub brush, cleaned the kitchen counters, mopped the floor and took out the trash every night; improved sanitation scores by 5%.
- Resourcefully utilized leftovers to create new dishes, reduced food waste by 15% and saved $50 per week on groceries.
- Developed excellent knife skills while chopping vegetables for soup, dicing fruit for salad and slicing meat for sandwiches; completed all tasks 30 minutes faster than average.
- Optimized workflows by prepping ingredients ahead of time, setting up cook stations before each shift and stocking the pantry with commonly used items; decreased meal prep time by 20%.
- Trained 2 new kitchen assistants on proper safety procedures, food handling techniques and basic cooking methods; received positive feedback from management regarding their progress.
- Stocked kitchen shelves and cupboards with all necessary ingredients, utensils and equipment.
- Served customers in a prompt and courteous manner, ensuring that all orders were accurate and delivered on time.
- Thoroughly cleaned the kitchen after each shift, adhering to all health and safety guidelines; lowered incidents of food contamination by 20%.
- Portioned out servings of food according to customer request; ensured that all portions were generous and consistent with company standards.
- Peeled vegetables & fruits, cut meat & fish, prepared sauces & dressings as per chef’s instructions; assisted in preparing meals for up to 100 customers per day during busy periods.
- Achieved a 97% customer satisfaction rating for the restaurant, according to post-meal surveys.
- Coordinated with front-of-house staff and chefs to ensure smooth service during peak hours; managed opening/closing shifts on a regular basis.
- Facilitated food preparation by stocking kitchen supplies and prepping ingredients; cut down meal prep time by 15 minutes on average.
- Substantially decreased food waste and spoilage incidents by properly storing leftovers and monitoring expiration dates of perishable items.
3. Skills
Skills required will differ from employer to employer – this can be ascertained by looking at the job posting. For example, one company might require experience with high-volume orders while another might place a greater emphasis on customer service skills.
Because of this, you want to tailor the skills section of your resume to fit each job that you apply for. This is essential because many employers now use applicant tracking systems which scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to a human.
In addition to just listing skills here, you should also highlight your most important ones in other areas of your resume such as the summary or experience section.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Attention To Detail
- Catering
- Cleaning
- Communication
- Cooking
- Creativity
- Customer Service
- Event Planning
- Flexibility
- Food
- Food And Beverage
- Food Preparation
- Food Safety
- Food Storage
- Knife Skills
- Multi-tasking
- Organization
- Patience
- Problem Solving
- Sanitation
- Stamina
- Strength
- Team Leadership
- Teamwork
- Time Management
4. Education
Mentioning your education on a kitchen assistant resume will depend on how much experience you have. If this is your first job and you just graduated, put your education section below your resume objective. On the other hand, if you have several years of experience working as a kitchen assistant, you may not need to include an education section at all.
If including an education section, mention any relevant coursework or training related to the kitchen assistant role you are applying for. For example “Courses included Culinary Fundamentals, Kitchen Safety & Sanitation, and Food Preparation Techniques” or “Received certification in food handling and safety from the National Restaurant Association.”
High School Diploma
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are always impressive to hiring managers as they demonstrate that you have put in the extra effort to learn and be tested in a particular field. If you have any certifications related to the job you are applying for, make sure to include them in this section of your resume.
ServSafe Food Handler
National Restaurant Association
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Karolann Moen, this would be Karolann-Moen-resume.pdf or Karolann-Moen-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Providing a cover letter along with your resume is not always a requirement, but it is highly recommended. This document usually consists of 2 to 4 paragraphs and gives you the opportunity to elaborate on your skills and experience, as well as explain why you would be the perfect fit for the job.
A cover letter can give recruiters a better sense of who you are beyond what’s stated in your resume. It allows you to share more about your personality and highlight key achievements that make you an ideal candidate for the role.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Ruthie,
As a hardworking and experienced kitchen assistant, I am excited to apply for the open position at your restaurant. In my current role, I prepare food according to recipes, maintain a clean and organized work area, and provide excellent customer service. I am confident that I can bring my skills and experience to your team and contribute to the success of your business.
Some key strengths that I offer include:
– Food preparation: I have experience preparing a variety of dishes from scratch using fresh ingredients. My knife skills are excellent, and I am able to follow complex recipes accurately.
– Customer service: In my current role, providing excellent customer service is one of my top priorities. I always go above and beyond to ensure that guests have a positive dining experience.
– Cleanliness: Maintaining a clean working environment is essential in any kitchen setting. I regularly clean all surfaces in the kitchen area as well as wash dishes, pots, and pans after each shift.
I would love the opportunity to discuss how I could be an asset to your team in person or over the phone at [phone number]. Thank you for your time!
Sincerely,
[Your name]