Culinary Resume – A tool to get you noticed                      By Chef Tom Heintz

One of the attractive features of the being a good cook or chef, is that there is such a vast market out there. If you are known and if you have talent, there is no reason you won’t have a job. With the advent of the Internet, that could mean anywhere in the world you are willing to go.

If you know where you would like to go with your career, it will be easy for you to compile the needed references and background training you need to create a compelling resume. If you don’t know where you want to go, then you will be swept here and there, wherever an open job presents itself and years down the road you will wonder why you spent so much time making so little money … and for what reason.  

SO … know what you want and build around that. Create a plan by starting at your goal and working backwards. Select the needed training or references that will give you that extra edge in achieving your desires. Having this WRITTEN down on paper as a Resume Blueprint for the future, you will be able to check off those items as you locate the employment that will fill YOUR needs. Then seek out those locations and be willing to do what it takes to work there.  

Having been an Owner of a restaurant, an Executive Chef and even as a Sous Chef, I have learned there is one constant in the Food Industry. That constant is that the turnover rate in the kitchen is 100%. I was doubtful when I first heard this, but as I have journeyed through my culinary career, I found this to be completely true. All levels in the industry are on a constant in and out flow where new people are continually replacing those that have decided to move on to another opportunity. 

You will find that on the Executive Chef, Food & Beverage Manager or Owner level there is a surprising amount of movement … even the ones that you thought would never leave. One day they are there and the next they’re gone, and it can happen that fast and at any location. Knowing this, don’t burn bridges with previous employers if possible because you may be back in a higher position as others rotate out and you rotate in. A place you detested before can have a management change that makes that position now very attractive. 

Having a current and creative resume can give you that opportunity to step up and fill a vacancy that has been created, but only if you are prepared in advance. That resume you have so carefully crafted will give you the opportunity to get the interview or have someone take notice which in turn will allow you to show yourself and your ability. The resume is a tool to get noticed or to have a face to face interview, that is its purpose.