Pizza Chef CV example

Hiring managers don’t want a vague list of ingredients – they want the full recipe. This guide walks you through how to shape your CV so it’s easy to read, focused on the right skills, and a true reflection of your culinary ability.

From formatting to content, you’ll learn about writing a CV which lands you jobs.

A well-made pizza needs the right layers – and so does your CV. If your layout is messy or underdone, it won’t matter how good your experience is underneath. Recruiters need to quickly spot your skills, work history, and qualifications without wading through clutter, so make sure your CV is as easy-to-read as possible.

Here’s the structure to follow:

• Name and contact details – Place your personal details at the top so employers can get in touch easily.
• Profile – Kick things off with a concise overview of what makes you the ideal candidate for the job.
• Core skills – Briefly highlight those qualities which make you the best candidate.
• Work experience – List your previous roles in reverse chronological order, with your most recent first.
• Education – Go through the academic history which underpins your expertise.
• Additional info – This optional section can include professional memberships, awards, or hobbies that showcase your suitability for the role.
  

Make sure you divide your CV’s format into clear, labelled sections with bold headings. Bullet points in each section help break up dense blocks of text, and a simple, readable font makes a strong first impression. Keep the length to two pages max – show off your best bits, not every single pizza you’ve ever perfected. 

This short paragraph is your first opportunity to convince a hiring manager that you’re the right chef for their kitchen. It should quickly highlight your level of experience, the types of kitchens you’ve worked in, and the skills you bring to the table.

Don’t just list what you do: your CV profile should show the benefit you bring to any business that hires you.

Here’s what to include:

• Where you worked – State the types of restaurants or kitchens you’ve worked in so employers understand your pace, environment, and service style.
• Your top qualifications – Mention your culinary training, food hygiene certifications, or any specialist pizza-making courses to back up your experience.
• Essential skills – Include your practical abilities in dough preparation, cooking techniques, and kitchen efficiency that make you valuable in a fast-paced setting.
• Service style or setting – Say whether you’ve worked in wood-fired pizzerias, takeaway chains, high-end Italian restaurants, or fast-casual spots to give context.
• Value delivered – Emphasise how you’ve improved kitchen speed, maintained quality, trained new staff, or contributed to customer satisfaction.
  

This section should give a clear, fast snapshot of your abilities – but skip the fluff. Recruiters don’t want generic traits like “team player” or “hard worker”; they want concrete skills that prove you can handle the heat of the kitchen.

Focus on practical, job-specific CV skills that will always stand out to prospective employers. Match your skills to the job advert if possible – and keep it focused on your strengths.

This is where you serve up proof of what you can do. Your work experience section should show the kind of kitchens you’ve worked in and your specific responsibilities. List your roles from most recent to oldest. 

For each role, begin with a short summary of the restaurant and your position, then use bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements. Highlight specific techniques, service volumes, and the outcomes of your work.

Whether you worked solo, as part of a team, or in a leadership position, make it clear how you kept things running and delivered consistently great food.

• Outline – Describe the type of kitchen or restaurant, your role, and what kind of menu or service model you worked with.
• Responsibilities – Use action words like “prepared” and “managed.” For example: “prepared fresh dough daily according to recipe specifications” or “managed pizza orders during peak service with consistent speed and quality.” Mention tools or ovens if relevant.
• Achievements – Note how you improved kitchen efficiency, maintained high hygiene standards, trained staff, or contributed to sales or customer retention.

While formal qualifications aren’t always essential in hospitality, they still matter – especially if you’ve taken specialist training or earned food safety certifications.

List your most recent or relevant education first, and include any diplomas, catering courses, or health and safety training. If you studied culinary arts or gained NVQ-level certifications, mention the level and awarding body. You can also note on-the-job training if you’ve come up through the ranks.