Prep Cook Resume Example & Writing Tips

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400 Sixth Street, Coralville, IA 52241
(319) 564-0742
samuel.gardner@gmail.com

Prep Cook with experience working in Italian and Mexican restaurants and up to 100-seating establishments. Recognized for exceptional ability to prep all kinds of ingredients with precision and efficiency according to recipe specifications. Commended numerous times by head chef and other staff members for organizational and prioritization skills.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

VESTA Coralville, IA

Prep Cook Feb 2013 – Present

Prepped food within 100-seat Italian restaurant, with ability to accurately cut ingredients according to specifications 20% faster than other staff, as well as prepare stocks and long cook items
Trained 15 new prep cooks with no prior experience for outdoor catering service with 500 guests
Ensured supplies were consistently available, replenishing items as required in aid of cooks, consistently receiving commendation from Head Chef for outstanding organizational skills
Managed and checked food quality, prioritizing ingredients and reducing food waste by 20%
Quickly learned any new recipes and food preparation techniques, often training other prep cooks and ensuring utmost quality of work

CASA AZUL Coralville, IA

Dishwasher Jan 2012 – Jan 2013

Ensured 100% clean supplies including cookware, dishes, and utensils in 50-seat restaurant providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner services
Unloaded food supplies from distributor trucks, and efficiently organized inventory 10% faster than other staff members
Discovered critical malfunction with dishwashing equipment, allowing restaurant to get it fixed and saving $10K in additional water bill
Performed routine cleaning procedures across kitchen, assisting restaurant in passing every single Health and Sanitary inspection
Assisted in food preparation whenever kitchen was short-staffed, commended by head chef for organizational and cleanliness standards, as well as fast-learning cutting techniques

EDUCATION

WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Coralville, IA

Diploma

Varsity Volleyball

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

Food Handler’s Permit
Skilled in utilizing different kinds of knives, grinders, mixers, etc

Prep Cook Resume: Writing Tips

Before you start writing, make sure you know how to write a resume in a way that best emphasizes your strengths.

Now that you’ve seen how our example candidate does it, it’s time for you to write your own prep cook resume. Follow these tips, tricks, and bits of advice to learn how to craft the perfect resume.

1. Know the Difference between a Line and a Prep Cook

prep cooks at work At some restaurants, the job duties of line and prep cooks may overlap, so it is understandable that many mistake the positions as being one-in-the-same. Still, the majority of the restaurant industry will tell you that there is a clear division between line and prep cooks. Confusing the two on your resume could be disastrous and end up ruining your career in the kitchen before it even starts. So, let’s begin by clarifying exactly what the difference is – so you can write the right resume.

A prep cook is the first step to becoming a full-fledged chef. As the title suggests, prep cooks are responsible for preparing the cooking stations and ingredients. This often entails chopping vegetables, making long-cook protein items, cooking soup, and cleaning and stocking each station.

A line cook is the next rung up on the cooking totem pole. Line cooks are responsible for actually filling orders as they come in from the servers. Working on the line can be extremely challenging. During busy lunch and dinner hours, cooks on the line have to remain calm and composed in order to multiple orders simultaneously.

2. Open with a Career Objective

Catch the manager’s attention right away and ensure your resume isn’t swept aside by opening with a well-written Career Objective. this section appears at the top of your resume, and gives a quick rundown on what you have to offer.

Check out the candidate’s Career Objective from the example above:

Prep Cook with experience working in Italian and Mexican restaurants and up to 100-seating establishments. Recognized for exceptional ability to prep all kinds of ingredients with precision and efficiency according to recipe specifications. Commended numerous times by head chef and other staff members for organizational and prioritization skills.

He quickly and concisely summarizes his experience and qualifications, emphasizing his strengths.

Remember, the Career Objective is short, sweet, and to-the-point. You’ll get the chance to flesh out the fine details of your certifications, qualifications, and experience throughout the rest of your resume.

3. Showcase Your Skillset

Prep cook is a skill-heavy job. Managers and restaurant owners need a competent staff to ensure the safe, proper, and pristine production of food day in and day out. For a prep cook resume, skills should be emphasized in both the Skills section as well as the Work Experience section.

Here are a few skills that you may want to showcase in 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
Order supplies and ingredients as needed
Assist staff in cleaning the kitchen and utensils