Prep Cook Resume Examples & Writing Tips

Prep cook resume template (text format)

This template is a great model for writing your resume. In addition to demonstrating how you should write about your culinary skills, it uses a professional resume format that’s concise, memorable, and sure to make a strong first impression on employers.

Prep cook resume writing tips

A prep cook is the first step to becoming a full-fledged chef. As an entry level position, it doesn’t require formal training or education beyond a high school diploma.

However, prep cooks are essential to the running of a well-functioning kitchen and need to be quick learners with a wide array of kitchen skills as well as physical and mental stamina.

Keep reading to learn how to write a prep cook resume that shows that you have what it takes to thrive in the fast-paced environment of a professional kitchen.

1. Open with a career objective

Catch the manager’s attention right away and ensure your resume isn’t swept aside by opening with a compelling career objective. This section appears at the top of your resume, and gives a quick rundown of what you have to offer employers.

Here’s an example of what a good career objective for a prep cook resume looks like:

“Organized Prep Cook with experience working in up to 100-seat Italian and Mexican restaurants. Certified Culinarian with an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts. Eager to put my ability to prep ingredients with precision and efficiency according to recipe specifications to use at your establishment.”

This objective quickly and concisely summarizes the candidate’s experience and qualifications, emphasizing their professional strengths.

Remember, your career objective should be short and to-the-point. You’ll get the chance to flesh out the fine details of your certifications, qualifications, and work experience throughout the rest of your resume.

2. Showcase your skills as a cook

Prep cook duties include everything from chopping vegetables to ensuring a clean work environment is maintained in the kitchen. Managers and restaurant owners need competent staff to ensure the safe, proper, and pristine production of food day in and day out.

On a prep cook resume, you should emphasize your skills in both the skills section of your resume as well as the work experience section.

Here are a few examples of prep cook skills that you may want to showcase on your resume:

• Prepare and stock the day’s ingredients for each station
• Knowledge of the proper use of various cooking utensils
• Restock and organize inventory
• Knowledge of kitchen health and safety rules
• Cooking techniques
• Kitchen equipment operation

3. Include certifications on your prep cook resume

While certifications aren’t required to get a job in food prep, they can greatly improve your chances of landing a job at a restaurant where competition is fierce even for entry level positions like prep cook and line cook.

Here’s a list of certifications available to those with limited experience in the food service industry:

• Certified Fundamentals Cook
• Certified Culinarian
• Culinary Arts Certificate
• Food Handler Certificate

When you list certifications on your resume, make sure to include:

1. Name of the certification
2. Name of the issuing organization
3. Date earned

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Average prep cook calaries in the US

After you’ve written your resume, make sure you use it to apply for jobs within a fair salary range.

The following table includes information from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics report for 2025. Here are the ten states with the highest salaries for prep cooks, as well as the national average for your reference when applying for work.