Chef career blog
Resume examples by role, portfolio and food photography advice, chef bios, interview questions and career paths. Each guide links to the free tool that does the job.
Résumés
RésumésChef resume: examples, template and skills that get interviewsChef resume examples and a free template: what to include, how to quantify food cost and covers, skills to list, and sample resumes by situation.
RésumésExecutive chef resume: example, summary formulas and bullet bankExecutive chef resume with a full example, summary formulas and 14 quantified bullets for food cost, labor, openings and team size. Free template.
RésumésSous chef resume: sample, bullets and how to write responsibilitiesSous chef resume sample with a full example, duties rewritten as achievements, a bullet bank and advice for moving from line cook to chef de cuisine.
RésumésLine cook resume: sample, bullet points and skills that get a trial shiftLine cook resume with a full sample, station-by-station bullet points, skills, objective vs summary and a no-experience version. Free builder inside.
RésumésPrep cook resume: sample, bullets and template that show real prep volumePrep cook resume sample with bullet points for prep lists, par levels, yield, FIFO and knife work, plus skills, certifications and a no-experience version.
Portfolio, photos and bio
Portfolio, photos and bioCulinary portfolio examples: 5 structures, photo rules and what to leave outCulinary portfolio examples in five layouts: signature-led, range, tasting menu, private household and pastry. Photo rules, dish count, PDF vs website.
Portfolio, photos and bioFood Photography Tips for Chefs: How to Photograph Food With a PhoneFood photography tips for chefs: window light, the right angle per dish, backdrops, props, plating for camera, phone settings, editing and a checklist.
Portfolio, photos and bioChef bio examples: 6 samples and a formula you can fill inChef bio examples for every use: one-line, 50-word, 100-word private chef, restaurant, pop-up and Instagram, plus a five-part formula to write yours.
Getting hired
Getting hiredChef interview questions: what you will be asked and how to answerChef interview questions for line cooks, sous chefs and private chefs, with what a strong answer includes, questions to ask the chef, and what to bring.
Getting hiredStage chef: what a kitchen stage is and how to do oneWhat a stage is in a professional kitchen, how to ask for one with an email template, what happens hour by hour, what to bring, and the legal note on pay.
Getting hiredChef Skills: What You Need and How to Prove ItChef skills explained: core culinary techniques, kitchen operations, leadership, skills by role from line cook to executive chef, and how to prove them.
Careers
CareersHow to Become a Chef: Paths, Timeline and Real CostsHow to become a chef: culinary school vs working up the line, years per step from prep cook to executive chef, ServSafe, costs and the documents you need.
CareersHow to Become a Personal Chef: Steps, Pay and Business SetupHow to become a personal chef: kitchen experience, ServSafe, insurance, local food rules, pricing models, finding clients, and a portfolio that books work.
