Executive Chef Resume Sample
Why This Resume Works
1.Every bullet carries a number
Food cost from 32% to 27%, waste down 25%, revenue up 19%, $350K in catering.
2.Skills match what employers search for
Menu development, kitchen management, food costing, catering, food safety.
3.Most recent job comes first, with the biggest results
Executive Chef at Crescent City Bistro, New Orleans, LA, 2021–Present, leads with a team of 18, before the earlier Sous Chef role, 2018–2021.
4.Summary states years, speciality and scale
8 years, menu and kitchen leadership speciality, 4.8 out of 5 guest rating.
How Hiring Teams Evaluate Resumes
1.In the first seven seconds they check headline, summary, and current role
Executive Chef, 8 years, Crescent City Bistro, 2021–Present.
2.They look for quantified kitchen impact
food cost, revenue up 19%, $350K catering, ticket times down 20%.
3.They scan for keyword match
menu development, kitchen management, food costing, catering, food safety.
4.They check progression
Sous Chef in Baton Rouge, 2018–2021, to Executive Chef in New Orleans, 2021–Present, leading a team of 18.
Step-by-Step Writing Guide
1.Lead with years, speciality, and one measurable result
8 years as an executive chef, food cost down to 27%.
2.Put current job first, with 3 bullets, each with a number
food cost, revenue, or catering.
3.Describe previous job with earlier, non-overlapping dates and different numbers
10 cooks, ticket times down 20%, 25 new dishes.
4.List 8–10 skills employers search for
menu development, kitchen management, food costing, catering.
5.Place education and certifications briefly
A.A.S. Culinary Arts, Delgado Community College, 2016, CEC 2021, ServSafe 2020.
6.Tailor skills and summary to each job post
Keep the resume to one to two pages.
Key Takeaways
Quantify every role — food cost, revenue, catering, and ticket times.
Lead with cost and revenue results — food cost at 27% and $350K in catering.
Match skills to the job post keywords.
Show scale clearly — team of 18, 25 new dishes, 12 hires trained.
Salary Insights
Average base pay
75000/yr
How much does an executive chef make in the United States?
Typical pay for an Executive Chef in the United States is about $60,000 to $95,000 per year, with a median around $75,000. Pay in New Orleans, LA is broadly similar to the national range. Experience, CEC certification, and catering revenue move pay toward the upper end. Use this range as a guide only. Source: Typical US range, 2025-2026.
FAQs
How long should an executive chef resume be?
One to two pages. This sample fits two roles, education, certifications, and 10 skills in that length.
What skills should I list?
Menu development, kitchen management, food costing, catering, and food safety.
Should I include certifications?
Yes. This sample lists Certified Executive Chef (CEC) and ServSafe Food Protection Manager.
How do I show impact without revenue numbers?
Use food cost, waste, ticket times, and guest ratings — for example, food cost down to 27% and a 4.8 out of 5 rating.
Do I need a professional summary?
Yes. Write 3-4 sentences with years, speciality, and one measurable result.
What skills help Executive Chef find jobs?
- Menu Development
- Kitchen Management
- Food Costing
- Plating
- Inventory Management
- Staff Training
- Catering
- Food Safety
- Recipe Development
- Vendor Management
Resume Tips
Use Job-Specific Keywords
Pull the skills, tools and qualifications named in the job post and use the same words throughout your resume.
Keep One Format
Write job titles, dates and keywords the same way in your Summary, Skills and Experience sections.
Use Professional Terms
Plain, precise language from your field reads better than fancy vocabulary.
Focus on Relevant Experience
Give the most space to work that matches the role, and less (or none) to work that does not.
Show Measurable Results
Add numbers to your experience: time saved, revenue, error rates, team size, budgets.
Highlight Key Experience
Group the most relevant jobs under a 'Relevant Experience' heading so reviewers find them first.
Ready to get started?
Start from this sample, make it yours, then download it as a PDF or Word file.