Head Cook Resume Guide

Introduction

A well-crafted resume for a head cook position aims to showcase culinary expertise, leadership skills, and operational experience. In 2025, applicant tracking systems (ATS) have become more sophisticated, making it essential to optimize your resume with relevant keywords and clear formatting. This guide helps you build an ATS-friendly head cook resume that highlights your strengths and improves your chances of landing interviews.

Who Is This For?

This guide is designed for experienced culinary professionals seeking a head cook role in regions like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, or Singapore. Whether you are a seasoned chef transitioning into a leadership role, returning to the workforce after a break, or upgrading your current position, the advice here applies to mid-level and senior cooks aiming to demonstrate both culinary skill and management ability.

Resume Format for Head Cook (2025)

Use a straightforward, ATS-compatible layout with the following sections in order: Summary, Skills, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications. Prioritize clarity over design flourishes. For those with over 10 years of experience or a diverse background, a two-page resume is acceptable. Include a “Projects” or “Portfolio” section only if you have notable culinary creations, awards, or published recipes. Keep the language concise, with bullet points for experience and skills, making it easy for ATS to parse.

Role-Specific Skills & Keywords

• Culinary expertise in various cuisines (e.g., French, Italian, fusion)
• Menu development and planning
• Kitchen management and supervision
• Food safety and sanitation standards (HACCP)
• Inventory control and cost management
• Staff training and team leadership
• Knowledge of kitchen equipment and maintenance
• Ability to develop budgets and control expenses
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Proficiency with kitchen management software (e.g., Toast, TouchBistro)
• Supply chain coordination
• Flexibility in working hours and shift management
• Knowledge of dietary restrictions and allergen management
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills

Incorporate these keywords naturally within your experience and skills sections to ensure ATS recognition.

Experience Bullets That Stand Out

• Led a team of 12 kitchen staff to prepare daily menus for a 200-seat restaurant, increasing customer satisfaction scores by ~15% over six months.
• Developed new seasonal menus, resulting in a 10% increase in repeat customers and a 7% boost in food sales.
• Managed inventory and procurement, reducing food waste by 20% and lowering costs by ~$5,000 monthly.
• Ensured compliance with all health and safety regulations, passing inspections with no violations for three consecutive years.
• Trained and mentored junior chefs, leading to two promotions within the team and improved kitchen efficiency.
• Implemented a new kitchen management software, decreasing order processing time by 25% and streamlining communication.
• Controlled kitchen budgets, maintaining expenses within 3% of forecasted costs while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Spearheaded a cross-functional team to redesign the restaurant’s menu, increasing average check size by 12%.

Related Resume Guides

• Head Baker Resume Guide
• Experienced Cook Resume Guide
• Line Cook Resume Guide
• Head Coach Resume Guide
• Dietary Cook Resume Guide

Common Mistakes (and Fixes)

• Vague job descriptions: Instead of “responsible for kitchen management,” specify “led a team of 12 chefs, overseeing daily operations and menu planning.”
• Overloading with dense paragraphs: Use bullet points with quantifiable results rather than long blocks of text.
• Listing generic skills: Focus on role-specific skills like menu development, food safety, and inventory control, not generic soft skills.
• Ignoring keywords: Omitting important keywords like HACCP, kitchen management software, or food cost control reduces ATS relevance.
• Decorative formatting: Avoid tables, images, or text boxes that ATS cannot parse properly; stick to simple, standard fonts and clear headings.

ATS Tips You Shouldn't Skip

• Save your resume as a Word (.docx) or plain text (.txt) file, as these are ATS-friendly.
• Use clear section headers like Summary, Skills, Experience, Education, and Certifications.
• Incorporate synonyms and variations of keywords (e.g., “kitchen supervision” instead of “kitchen management”).
• Keep spacing consistent and avoid overly complex formatting.
• Use past tense for previous roles and present tense for current responsibilities.
• Ensure your file name includes your name and role, e.g., John_Doe_Head_Cook_Resume.docx.

Following these guidelines will help your resume pass ATS scans and catch the eye of hiring managers searching for a qualified head cook in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the key sections to include in my Head Cook resume?

Include sections like Summary, Skills, Experience, Education, Certifications. Highlight your leadership skills and achievements.

2. How do I effectively use keywords in my resume for ATS optimization?

Incorporate keywords like HACCP, Toast, TouchBistro naturally into your experience and skill descriptions to ensure ATS recognition.

3. What salary range can I expect as a Head Cook, and how does experience affect it?

Salaries typically vary from $45k-$75k in North America. More experienced Head Cooks earn higher salaries in regions like Canada or Germany.

4. How should I format my resume to pass ATS scans while still being readable?

Save as Word (.docx) or plain text (.txt). Use clear headings, past tense for responsibilities, and avoid complex formatting.

5. What are some common mistakes to avoid when creating a resume for a Head Cook position?

Avoid vague job descriptions like 'led a team.' Use bullet points with quantifiable results. Focus on role-specific skills rather than generic ones. Include keywords and use simple formatting.