What keywords should a chef CV include?

Include the hard skills and tools named in the job description. Common chef keywords are Menu development, Food preparation, Food safety and HACCP, Allergen management, Stock control, Food cost control, and tools such as Combi ovens (e.g. Rational), Sous vide, Kitchen display systems (KDS), Inventory and ordering systems, Temperature logging systems, POS systems.

Chef CV Keywords: Skills & ATS Terms to Include

Chef CVs are skimmed fast by head chefs and hospitality recruiters. They want the kitchen type and level (fine dining, hotel, high-volume), your position in the brigade, food safety qualifications and evidence you can control cost and consistency.

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Chef hard skills

Core competencies recruiters and ATS filters search for.

Menu developmentFood preparationFood safety and HACCPAllergen managementStock controlFood cost controlKitchen managementPastryButcheryBatch cookingPlating and presentationRota planning

Chef tools & software

Use the exact product names from the job ad.

Combi ovens (e.g. Rational)Sous videKitchen display systems (KDS)Inventory and ordering systemsTemperature logging systemsPOS systems

Chef certifications & qualifications

Write the full name and the acronym, with the year.

Level 2/3 Food Hygiene (UK)HACCP Level 3ServSafe (US)Allergen awarenessNVQ Level 2/3 Professional CookeryCulinary diploma

Chef soft skills

Show these through achievements rather than listing them alone.

Working under pressureTeam leadershipConsistencyCreativityCommunication with front of houseTraining junior staff

Chef action verbs

Start each bullet with one of these instead of "Responsible for".

CreatedLedReducedPreparedLaunchedTrainedManagedMaintainedDeliveredImproved

Weak vs strong chef CV bullets

Cooked in a busy restaurant.

Ran the grill section in a 180-cover restaurant, serving up to 400 covers on weekend services.

Helped with the menu and costs.

Redesigned a seasonal menu and supplier orders, cutting food cost from 34% to 28% of sales.

Examples are illustrative. Only use figures you can back up in an interview.

ATS tip for chef CVs

State your title and kitchen type together ("Sous Chef — hotel restaurant, 2 AA Rosettes") and list food safety levels by name. Hospitality job boards filter heavily on these.

How to use these keywords

Start from the job description, not this list. Keywords that appear in the ad matter most — paste it into the job description keyword extractor to pull them out.
Only include skills you genuinely have. You will be asked about them.
Put the most important keywords in both your Skills section and your experience bullets.
Use the employer's exact wording (e.g. "Combi ovens (e.g. Rational)", not a synonym).
Keep formatting simple: single column, standard headings, no text inside images.

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