Do you love everything culinary and strive to make each dish a work of art while staying true to the recipe? Maybe you develop new recipes between managing other cooks, ensuring that code standards are met, and creating seasonal menus.
The biggest question is how you pack all those abilities when writing a great cover letter to complement your chef resume! What skills and points should you include to show recruiters what an artful chef you are?
Don’t worry! We’ve developed five chef cover letter examples that have led other culinary professionals to success, and this advice is bound to help you too!
Copy this text for your chef cover letter!
123 Fictional Avenue
(123) 456-7890
LinkedIn
Dear Ms. Thompson,
With 4 years of experience balancing flavors, pairing ingredients, and perfecting the plating craft, I’m ready to take on a new challenge as a chef at Hawker Fare. My hands-on kitchen techniques and ease of blending with any team will make an impact from day one.
At Gogi Time, I took charge of beer pairing with Belgian-inspired dishes, an endeavor which saw a 27% increase in customer satisfaction scores from weekly surveys. I’m also versed in ChefTec and KitchenCut, and use them to ensure consistent meal prep and track costs accurately.
I’m particularly impressed with Hawker Fare’s approach to Isan Thai cooking, and I would love to add my expertise to your team.
Thank you for considering my application,
Aisha Patel
Why this cover letter works
- In this chef cover letter, Aisha hits the mark right off the bat by expressing her admiration for the hiring establishment’s lively ambiance and unique culinary delights.
- Done with the intro, dish out real-world examples of positive impacts in previous roles (say, increasing customer satisfaction, social media buzz, or repeat patronage) stemming from industry-specific skills like flavor balancing, plating, and presentation. You can never go wrong with reinforcing these wins with real numbers.
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Copy this text for your sous chef cover letter!
123 Fictional Avenue
(123) 456-7890
LinkedIn
Dear Mr. Brown,
With a rich background in menu planning, recipe development, and team collaboration, I express interest in the sous chef position at The Chalkboard Restaurant. I have proven myself by keeping a well-organized kitchen and following the details in each meal prep.
At Amelia’s Wood Fired Cuisine, I enriched the menu with seasonal offerings that consistently catered to our customers’ tastes. In the same year, we recorded a 17.2% increase in revenue mainly due to the extensive dish offerings.
I also had the opportunity to work with the procurement team to manage inventory and ensure adequate supplies, resulting in a significant drop in kitchen stockouts.
I look forward to the chance to be part of The Chalkboard Restaurant’s kitchen and support your continued success.
Thank you for considering my application,
Juan Garcia
Why this cover letter works
- As the second in command in a kitchen, a sous chef must possess impressive culinary and managerial proficiencies. This will include menu creation, directing meal preparation, kitchen staff management, problem-solving, planning, and familiarity with food hygiene protocols.
- Amplify your sous chef cover letter to focus on a few skills the job demands, complementing them with measurable outcomes. The ability to optimize processes using pertinent software like KEXY and Spooncular could be the competitive edge you never knew your piece needed.
Copy this text for your executive chef cover letter!
123 Fictional Avenue
LinkedIn
(123) 456-7890
Dear Mr.Davis,
With an open executive chef position at Bluehour and your renowned innovation in the culinary space, I am writing to express my keen interest in joining your team. I bring my sous vide, charcuterie, and fermentation experience; crucial additions that will satisfy guests even more.
At Le Pigeon, I added 8 new sous-vide dishes, boosting annual meal sales revenue by $164K over the previous year. I have also been consistent in creating charcuterie and fermentation-based dishes, both at Laurelhurst Market and ENSO Winery.
I appreciate the precision that drives Bluehour’s kitchen and would like to add my leadership, mentorship, and passion to a future of more success. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my suitability for this role further.
Thank you for your consideration,
Isabella Rossi
Why this cover letter works
- Your introduction can break or make your executive chef cover letter. Spark interest by touching on your expertise and years of experience, illustrating your knowledge of the company and eagerness to join their ranks, and explaining your motivation for the role.
- Concrete examples of your significant successes (think improved wine sales, customer retention, and efficiency) stemming from your culinary and managerial prowess excel in “spicing” your piece with formidable proof of your competence.
Copy this text for your pastry chef cover letter!
123 Fictional Avenue
(123) 456-7890
LinkedIn
Dear Mr. Rodriguez,
With over eight years of pastry experience and having traded my craft both in high-volume and fine-dining kitchens, I’m excited to apply for the pastry chef role at Columbia Restaurant. You’ve cemented your reputation for blending traditional concepts with innovation, two things that are close to my passion for dessert creation.
At Sucré Table, I brought down pastry production costs by 39% by streamlining operations, cutting out redundancies, and maximizing labor without sacrificing quality.
I have a firm grounding in classic techniques, partly learned from my time at Rosen College and experienced pastry chefs I’ve worked with. I look forward to the opportunity to join your team and keep Columbia Restaurant’s renowned culinary story flying high.
Thank you for your consideration,
Amara Singh
Why this cover letter works
- You’re the next Pierre Hermé, you think? Excellent! However, you need a stellar pastry chef cover letter that proves you’re really a cut above the rest, and to compose it, you have to show you meet one or more requirements for the open role.
- For example, Amara brags about baking bespoke cakes for various occasions, increasing weekly orders, elevating their brand’s image as well as boosting customer contentment. Of course, offering great customer service is a must-have for pastry chefs, so that says she fits the bill.
Copy this text for your personal chef cover letter!
123 Fictional Avenue
(123) 456-7890
LinkedIn
Dear Ms. Lewis,
A sick family member and taking care of her got me interested in the culinary world. Today, I have 10 years of experience working in private residences and professional kitchens, and I hold ServSafe certification. It’s that passion and perspective I look forward to bringing to The Harold Club as a personal chef.
One of my career highlights was at Ricko’s Jamaica Restaurant, where I overhauled the menu to offer more Caribbean dishes. This bold move attracted more patrons, resulting in a 33% increase in sales compared to the year before.
I’m committed to making each meal memorable, keeping patrons coming back, and attracting new ones to the door; things that will keep The Hartford Club on every diner’s lips. I look forward to further discussing this opportunity.
Thank you for your consideration,
Evelyn Moreau
Why this cover letter works
- Yes, the quality of your experiences rests on how well you hit it off with your clients. And the length of your job search? It all boils down to your capability to break the ice in your cover letter and get the recruiter to warm up to you, which makes addressing them by their name non-negotiable.
- Instead of using phrases that are as common as dirt (think “Dear Hiring Manager” and “Hello”), go with the recruiter’s name, such as “Dear Ms. Lewis” or “Dear Mr. Rodriguez.” That adds a much-needed personal touch to your personal chef cover letter, so it forms a connection with the person reading it from the get-go and stays memorable.
Related cover letter examples
How to Write Your Chef Cover Letter to Perfection
What’s cooking, exactly? You want to tailor your cover letter to the job description, so don’t focus too much on wine pairings if you’re applying to a country-style steakhouse.
When creating a cover letter, you’ll want to switch out keywords, mission statements, and work experience details so that everything jives with the establishment you’re writing to. Show what a perfect fit you already are!
Writing your personalized greeting and intro
Just as you know the name of each signature dish at your restaurant by heart, you’ll need to address your letter’s recipient by name! Research and see if you can find their details in the original job ad or on the company website.
A great opening paragraph works like an appetizer, giving your potential employer a taste of what you can do and whetting their appetite for so much more! Hook your audience by stating that you’re a great fit for the job and sprinkling in a few traits that show why.
It’s also ideal to connect with the company to show that you care about those final garnishes. What kinds of little objectives and values do you connect with? Do they have any notable obstacles in their restaurant’s history that you can relate to?
Don’t use an opener like this—even if the enthusiasm is there, we’re still missing professionalism and solid examples of compatibility with the company:
Yuck . . .
Hi Jim,
I’m excited to work at your restaurant as the chef because I love food, I eat lots of food, and I’ve made lots of food.
Alternatively, personal enthusiasm for the job role pairs way better with specific company references, some skills, and a good hook:
Delicious!
Dear Mr. Davis,
Inspired by the ambitious beginnings of Bluehour in Portland’s historic Pearl District and its artful approach to cuisine, my journey in the culinary arena has been a story of passion. As an executive chef with profound expertise in Sous Vide Cooking, Fermentation, Pickling, and more, I’m eager to contribute to your mission of creating exquisite culinary experiences in Portland, OR.
Writing your ideal body paragraphs
Now that you’ve laid a sweet intro on the table, it’s time to share some examples of your qualifications. When did you revolutionize profits with your creative new seasonal dish? How did you ensure customer satisfaction with your service and customization skills?
And we’ll need some numbers on the side, please! Provide quantifiable data showing your ability to work skillfully and yield measurable results. Metrics take your credibility as a chef from good to great!
Make sure you adjust your paragraphs to complement each job you apply to. Each paragraph should have one main point, which should come with a metric supporting your qualifications and desire to work at that restaurant.
Example of a well-balanced body paragraph
In my previous role at Amelia’s Wood Fired Cuisine, menu planning was my specialty. Utilizing software tools like Spoonacular for meal planning and analysis, I rewrote the menu to include diverse flavors while maintaining a cohesive theme. The new menu, alongside the regular promotions, fostered a 29.8% increase in footfall and a 17.2% increase in overall revenues.
Closing off and signing your cover letter
Just like the final garnish or secret seasoning that just makes a dish exquisite, you’ll need a delightful closing paragraph to top off your cover letter. Summarize once again how your skills qualify you for the job and express your enthusiasm for the role.
Highlight the way your prowess as a chef aligns with the company’s values, and whip out an effective call to action: You want your reader to contact you for “seconds” that give even more details on how you mesh with the company culture and job requirements.
And make sure you include a thank-you! You can work this into your closer, or you can use it as your professional signature. If you thank the reader for their time in your closing paragraph, just use a professional signoff and your real name.
Don’t be vague, avoid using nicknames, and put in more effort than we’re seeing in this closer:
Oof.
So as you can see from my experiences I’m a really good chef and I’m great with culinary arts. I want to work for your company. I’ll talk to you later,
-June
Instead, try a closer like this one that reconnects with the company values, peppers in a few relevant skills, and includes a call to action:
Chef’s kiss!
With extensive kitchen experience, I am confident in my ability to enrich your kitchen team. At the Chalkboard Restaurant, I look forward to further developing my passion for culinary arts and contributing to your establishment’s stellar reputation. I look forward to our future conversation. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Juan Garcia
Cover Letter Tips for a Chef
- Add a mix of top industry skills and ones relevant to the restaurant
- High industry standards are common in kitchen environments where you must maintain cleanliness and comply with health codes. However, just like tailoring an order to the customer, you want to ensure your cover letter resonates with the company’s needs. Review the job description and add details like your pan searing and grilling abilities that would stand out when applying to a steak house.
- Show how you take the lead in the kitchen
- Many chef roles require you to display leadership, helping manage prep cooks and food runners so customer orders are prepared and delivered efficiently. Your cover letter can include examples that show those abilities, such as training new restaurant employees or directing a five-person team while preparing for a banquet.
- Detail food prep accuracy
- When you go to a restaurant and have food delivered to your table that isn’t what you expected, it can dampen the whole experience. Therefore, accurate chefs who follow detailed recipes and adhere to customer requests will stand out. Maybe you even have systems you use to maintain accuracy that you could detail in your cover letter.
- Don’t forget about customer satisfaction
- Even though you don’t interact with customers a lot when you’re back in the kitchen, the customer’s experience remains the top priority. You can still detail metrics like customer satisfaction in your chef cover letter to display how the food you prepared impacted restaurant success.
If you didn’t have much luck finding a name to address your cover letter to in the job description or on the company site, you might need to branch out a bit! Try professional social media accounts like Facebook and LinkedIn, or see if they have a blog.
Refer again to the job description and the company website, alongside any other posts or articles you might have found while researching what defines your establishment of choice! Are they quirky and rustic? Are they all about fine dining and elegance? Whatever it is, reflect it in your cover letter!
Yes, absolutely! If you have any additional certifications like a Certified Sous Chef or Certified Culinarian, add them. On your cover letter itself, just write “Enclosures:” at the bottom and list whatever else you’re including, like your chef resume and other application materials.
