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Chef / cook: CV and cover letter examples

2 fully written cover letters, a ready CV with a placeholder portrait and practical tips – open the example and replace the details with yours.

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Cover letter examples

Each example is written for a different starting point. Borrow the structure, not the sentences – your own examples and numbers are what make a letter work.

1Commis chefEntry level

Luke Harrison
60 Walmgate
York YO1 9TJ
040 66969 321 · luke.harrison@example.com

The Linden Tree
West
4 Market Place
York YO1 8AA

DD Month YYYY

Application for the position of Commis chef

Dear Mr West,

I ate at The Linden Tree for my mother’s birthday in spring and have tried to recreate your beetroot tartare three times since – never quite as good. That is why I want to learn in your kitchen.

I finished my training in July at a hotel with a busy banqueting operation. I worked every section and liked veg and garnish best. On banquet days we cooked for 300; à la carte we did up to 90 covers. I keep my section clean and ask when I do not know.

Seasonal, local cooking interests me most. I would be happy to do a trial shift whenever suits you.

Yours sincerely,

Luke Harrison

Enclosures
CV
Qualification certificate

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2Chef de partieExperienced

Sam Fletcher
33 Bootham
York YO30 7BT
030 23125 775 · sam.fletcher@example.com

Riverside Hotel
Clarke
10 Ouse Bank
York YO1 6GH

DD Month YYYY

Application for the position of Chef de partie – sauce section

Dear Ms Clarke,

For the past three years I have run the sauce section in a fine-dining kitchen in Manchester, cooking for up to 120 covers a night. I am moving back to York and would like to join your brigade.

I supervise a commis and an apprentice, order meat and fish for my section and keep recipes and allergen sheets up to date. When we added more vegetarian mains, two of my dishes made the permanent menu.

I can start in April and would welcome a trial shift.

Yours sincerely,

Sam Fletcher

Enclosures
CV
References

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All people, companies and contact details in the examples are fictional.

CV example

A complete CV for the role – with an illustrated placeholder instead of a photo.

Preview of the CV of Luke Harrison in the Modern design
Read the CV as text

Luke Harrison

Commis chef

60 Walmgate, York YO1 9TJ · 040 66969 321 · luke.harrison@example.com

Placeholder portrait: replace it with your photo in the editor, or remove it.

Work experience

  • 08/2023 – 07/2026
    Apprentice chef
    Minster Hotel, York
    • All sections, mainly veg and garnish
    • Banquets for up to 300, à la carte up to 90 covers
    • Food safety records

Education

  • 2023 – 2026
    Professional cookery qualification
    York College, York
  • 2018 – 2023
    Secondary school
    Fulford School, York

Training

  • 2025
    Food hygiene level 2
  • 2025
    Allergen awareness

Skills

Veg and garnish, Sauces, Banqueting, Food safety, Seasonal cooking

Languages

English (Native), French (A2 – elementary)

Interests

Fermenting, foraging

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Good to know

Your application in three steps

  1. Add your own photo – or none

    The example uses an illustrated placeholder. Replace it under “Choose photo” in the editor, or remove it: in the UK, US and many other countries a CV photo is not expected.

  2. Replace the details

    Name, contact, jobs, skills: everything is filled in and can be overwritten field by field.

  3. Save as PDF

    The PDF is created in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, no account needed.

What employers look for

Head chefs want to know which sections you have run, for how many covers and in what kind of kitchen. Hygiene, speed and calm under pressure are a given; expect a trial shift.

  • Culinary qualification or equivalent experience

  • Sections and style: sauce, larder, pastry, banqueting

  • Food safety and allergen management

  • Ordering and costing for senior roles

  • Calm during service

Tips for your application

Do

  • Name sections, covers and kitchen style.
  • Mention a dish you created.
  • Offer a trial shift.

Don’t

  • Rely on “passion for food” without examples.
  • Treat hygiene as an afterthought.
  • Criticise former head chefs.
Typical interview questions

Prepare a short, honest example from your own work for each one.

  1. What would you cook with three ingredients from our fridge?
  2. How do you organise your mise en place?
  3. How do you handle criticism at the pass?
  4. How do you deal with allergen requests?

Salary expectations

If the advert asks for your salary expectations, give an annual gross figure or a range you have researched – through pay scales, salary surveys from public sources or people who do the job. If it does not ask, leave pay out of the letter; it will come up in the interview.

Frequently asked questions
What should I bring to a trial shift?

Knives, whites and safety shoes unless told otherwise. Work as you normally would: clean, organised and willing to ask.

Should I put a photo on my CV?

It depends on the country. In the UK, Ireland and the US a photo is usually left out to avoid bias, and many employers prefer CVs without one. In Germany and some other countries it is common but optional. If you use one: recent, friendly, plain background, dressed as you would be on a good day at work.

Can I copy the example letters?

Yes, they are free to use. But recruiters read a lot of letters – one with your own examples, numbers and a real reason for choosing this employer will always do better. Use the examples as scaffolding and write the sentences yourself.

Is my data stored anywhere?

No. The CV and the letter are created in your browser. Nothing is stored unless you switch on “Save the draft” in the editor – and then only on your device.

Related jobs

Finish your application

Cover letter and CV as PDF, certificates added, all in one file – small enough for any job portal.