Prep Cook Resume Job Description, Sample, & Skills List

Maybe you dream of adding a little spice to your life, and your favorite restaurant has just posted a new job opening.

The job ad shares the ingredients you need to bring to the table but doesn’t tell you the exact recipe for the winning prep cook resume.

Thankfully, you’re about to get a sneak peek into the recruiter’s mind to discover how to blow them away.

This guide will show you: 

• A prep cook resume example better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write a prep cook resume that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on a prep cook resume.
• How to describe your experience on a resume for a prep cook to get any job you want.

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Just in case you’ve wandered off-track, here are some of our other guides you might find interesting:

• Chef Resume Examples
• Cook Resume Examples
• Sous Chef Resume Examples
• Bartender Resume Examples
• Fast Food Resume Examples
• Restaurant Resume Examples
• Server Resume Examples
• Waitress Resume Examples
• Waiter Resume Examples
• Barista Resume Examples
• Resume Examples for All Jobs

Prep Cook Resume Sample

Now, that’s undoubtedly a spicy prep cook resume! Let’s show you how to write your own:

1. Format Your Prep Cook Resume Right 

Prep cooksperform secondary tasks in the kitchen, such as cleaning equipment and utensils, peeling vegetables, and cutting meat to expedite the cooking process for chefs. Organization, resistance to stress, and culinary expertise are commonly expected on any prep cook's resume.

Before they hand you a fancy hat and a list of prep cook duties, the resume writing process has to begin with a different step.

Drop the knife and work on the structure of your resume:

• Decide on a resume format. I recommend the chronological resume, which highlights your best accomplishments.
• Consider using our ready-made resume templates.
• Include your contact information in the resume heading.
• Use a legible resume font to let your reader know you’re all about presentation, which is an excellent sign in your industry.
• Leaving extra space between the resume sections you include can make reading even easier.

Also, check out how to write an entry-level resume if you’re not very experienced!

Pro-Tip: On the flip side, should master chef-level prep cooks write a two-page resume? No. That’s for senior positions.

2. Write a Prep Cook Resume Objective or Summary

As a prep cook, you ensure the kitchen runs smoothly and efficiently, not overworking and stressing yourself out.

That vibe must be noticeable after just a few seconds of looking at your resume profile.

A resume objective is your most delicious recipe if you're an entry-level prep cook. Focus on the skills and drive you have to land that dream job in the restaurant industry finally.

But, if you're a prep cook with over 2 years in the industry, it's a good idea to prepare a resume summary highlighting your achievements and the most significant moments of your career thus far is a good idea.

Read more: How to Improve Your Resume in 12 Easy Steps

3. Create a Perfectly Seasoned Prep Cook Job Description (With Duties)

This telling analysis of the restaurant industry identifies cooks as “passionate but feeling undervalued and overworked.”

But there are those golden goose-like restaurants that will be a joy to work in, and a solid work experience section is your ticket to get a job in one.

When listing your past positions, list them in reverse chronological order. Include job titles, company names, and dates worked.

Use resume bullet points to describe impressive achievements and action verbs to make your experience stand out like a star dish on a menu.

And remember to emphasize that you're a problem-solver, not a problem-creator. Use the Problem-Action-Result formula to show how you’ve dealt with kitchen troubles in the past, and you'll be sure to make a lasting impression on their palates.

Pro Tip: If your resume work experience goes too far back and you list too many positions, they will think you’re not particularly good at any of them. Know your limits!

4. Spice up the Education Section on Your Prep Cook Resume

There is no single path to working in the kitchen. Many debate which degree to should pursue. But regardless of your choice, the education section must make its way onto your resume.

• If you’re an experienced prep cook with over 5 years in the kitchen, write down your school name, graduation year, and degree.
• Anything less than that means you should include additional information like your GPA, diploma honors, or relevant courses.

Read more: How to Put Your Degree on a Resume

Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide and use content from Certified Professional Resume Writers to have a resume ready in minutes.

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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

5. Highlight the Correct Skills to Get Hired as a Prep Cook

Ensuring your resume stands out among the sea of candidates is crucial, regardless of wether you’re a seasoned pro or an entry-level prep cook.

Your skills must fit the bill, like a perfectly composed recipe.

The smart way to add skills to your prep cook resume is to cross-reference them with the job posting. They will most likely have used resume keywords to match with applicant tracking systems.

Here's a sample list of essential prep cook skills to get you started:

Prep Cook Skills for a Resume

• Knife Skills
• Food Preparation & Handling
• Food Safety Regulations
• Cooking Techniques
• Organizational Skills
• Time Management
• Attention to Detail
• Working under Pressure
• Communication Skills 
• Teamwork Skills
• Creative Thinking
• Recipe Development
• Peeling Vegetables
• Chopping
• Following Instructions
• Measuring
• Portion Control
• Multitasking Skills
• Food Cost Analysis
• Inventory Management
• Problem-Solving
• Flexibility & Adaptability
• Physical Fitness
• Customer Service
• Personal Hygiene

Read more: What Are Hard Skills and Do You Need Them on a Resume?

6. Add More Sections to a Prep Cook Resume

Extra resume sections are like toppings on a pizza. Too many will definitely overdo it, but select them just right, and the combination of flavors will please even the most refined palate.

Here’s a breakdown simpler than a HelloFresh recipe:

• Extra achievements and awards
• Memberships in associations
• Hobbies and personal interests
• Certifications and licenses
• Foreign language skills

Read more: List of Proven Must-Haves on Any Resume

7. Send in a Prep Cook Cover Letter with the Resume

You need to write a cover letter.

Not doing so shows a lack of effort. Any self-respecting restaurant gives a hard pass to anyone unwilling to go the extra mile to satisfy its guests.

So, write a cover letter they will remember:

• Start by formatting your cover letter before sitting down to write it.
• Instead of using the generic salutation “To Whom It May Concern,” put in the effort to research who is in charge of recruitment and address them by name.
• Grab the reader’s attention with a powerful opening statement in your cover letter.
• Explain how your kitchen skills and experience align with the restaurant’s needs and how you can contribute to solving their challenges.
• Finish your cover letter with a call to action or an offer, such as asking for an interview.

Pro Tip: Theideal cover letter length is just about one page. You’re not rewriting “Salt. Fat. Acid. Heat.” from scratch!

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

And you’re done!

Thanks for reading. Was my mise sufficiently en place? Did I miss any crucial details regarding prep cook jobs? Leave a comment below!

Sources

• https://blog.ciachef.edu/culinary-arts-certificate-vs-degree/
• https://www.workbc.ca/getmedia/e596729e-c7ef-49ee-bef4-a63a4948d1f2/tourism-and-hospitality_go2hr_labour-market-information_june16.pdf.aspx