Resume Examples for Catering

Catering resumes and CVs vary significantly based on your experience level in the industry. Explore what to highlight at each stage and use our Resume Builder to craft a resume that best represents your skills and background.

Entry-Level Catering Resume

Perfect for recent graduates seeking to craft a resume with no experience, this template is also ideal for individuals transitioning into catering from different industries.

catering-entry-level-resume
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Why this resume works:

This resume highlights excellent font selection with a professional typeface that improves readability and presentation. When choosing the best fonts for a resume, consider options like Calibri, Helvetica, and Tahoma as these choices reflect the professionalism that hiring managers in the catering industry value.

Mid-Career Catering Resume

A good fit for catering professionals with several years of experience, this template highlights recent event management successes and supports advancement into leadership or specialized roles.

catering-mid-level-resume
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Why this resume works:

With over five years of experience, this catering professional demonstrates a strong track record in managing large-scale events while improving customer satisfaction. The combination format highlights their skill set alongside relevant work history, showcasing their readiness for advanced roles in event management.

Experienced Catering Resume

An ideal choice for seasoned catering professionals with over 10 years of experience, this template supports applicants pursuing senior management roles or specialized event coordination positions.

catering-experienced-resume
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Why this resume works:

This resume prominently features a reverse-chronological work history, showcasing 15 years of experience in catering management that emphasizes event coordination and client satisfaction. Education is positioned lower, reflecting the industry’s preference for demonstrated operational success and hands-on expertise over formal academic credentials at this career level.

Catering Resume Template (Text)

Use this customizable resume format of a catering resume to copy, edit, and personalize directly in your document.

Chris Jones

Riverside, CA 92508

Professional Summary

Accomplished catering expert with 8 years of boosting client satisfaction by implementing cost-effective strategies and leading teams to enhance event experiences.

Work Experience

January 2022 – June 2026

Savory Bites Events – Riverside, CA

Catering

  • Coordinated 150+ events annually.
  • Boosted client satisfaction by 25%.
  • Managed 10-person team efficiently.

January 2018 – December 2021

Elegance Harmony – Riverside, CA

Event Planner

  • Executed events for 100+ clients.
  • Reduced costs by 20% through negotiation.
  • Supervised event logistics smoothly.

June 2016 – December 2017

Culinary Arts Hub – San Diego, CA

Hospitality Coordinator

  • Improved guest experience score by 30%.
  • Facilitated VIP events, managing 500 attendees.
  • Streamlined kitchen procedures, raising efficiency.

Education

May 2014
Institute of Culinary Education New York, NY
Master of Hospitality Management Hospitality Management

May 2012
Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park, NY
Bachelor of Arts Culinary Arts

Certifications

  • Certified Professional Caterer – National Catering Association
  • Event Planning Specialist – American Society of Event Planners

Skills

  • Event Coordination
  • Team Management
  • Client Satisfaction
  • Cost Reduction
  • Logistics Planning
  • Supplier Negotiation
  • Hospitality Management
  • Guest Experience Enhancement

How to Write a Catering Resume

As a catering professional, learning how to write a resume involves showcasing your culinary skills, event management experience, and an organized format that reflects your unique style. Use the guidance below to emphasize your strengths and tailor your resume for the specific catering roles you’re targeting.

1. Contact Info

Your contact information should be clear, professional, and easy to find at the top of your resume.

Make sure to include:

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Professional email address
  • City and state (ZIP code is optional)
  • LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio (if relevant)
TipPRO TIP

Avoid listing irrelevant personal details such as your age, gender, or home address unless an employer explicitly requests them.

2. Resume Profile

A resume profile is a concise introduction (two to four sentences) that highlights your identity and key qualifications. This section acts as a compelling pitch to hiring managers, capturing their interest and prompting them to explore your resume further.

Typically located at the top of your resume, the profile can take the form of either a summary or an objective, each serving distinct purposes. Understanding these differences is important for crafting an effective resume:

  • A resume summary highlights your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements tailored to the catering industry. This format is ideal for individuals with a background in culinary expertise or event management experience who want to showcase their contributions in a competitive field.
  • A resume objective highlights your career aspirations and outlines what you aim to accomplish in your next role. This format is ideal for recent graduates, professionals shifting careers, or those with limited experience in the catering industry, including culinary school alumni or event planners.

Let’s take a look at an example of each to see how a resume summary and a resume objective differ:

Catering resume summary example:

Dedicated catering professional with over 6 years of experience in diverse culinary environments, including corporate events and weddings. Proficient in menu planning, food safety compliance, and team leadership. Acknowledged for creating memorable dining experiences while consistently exceeding client expectations.

Catering resume objective example:

Recent culinary arts graduate eager to launch a catering career in a vibrant food service environment. Committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and looking to apply strong organizational skills and creativity to a fast-paced catering company or event planning firm.

3. Work Experience

The work experience on your resume is an important foundation for showcasing your skills in catering. Employers assess your job history to understand not just where you’ve worked, but the impact you’ve had on event success and client satisfaction.

Your culinary and organizational experiences illustrate how you’re well-prepared for the catering role.

The work experience section should contain:

  • Job title
  • Employer name and location
  • Dates of employment (month/year)
  • 3–5 bullet points describing your relevant responsibilities and achievements

Tailor your content to showcase relevant experiences in the catering field. Start each bullet point with an action verb (like “Coordinated,” “Prepared,” “Served”) to create a strong impression and emphasize your contributions.

Incorporate quantifiable information whenever possible. Specific metrics, such as the number of events catered or customer satisfaction ratings, provide tangible evidence of your skills and help distinguish you from other job seekers.

In general, consider following the format of:

[action verb] + [responsibility] = [result/achievement]

For example:

Coordinated and executed catering services for 150+ events annually, ensuring a 95% client satisfaction rate through menu customization and timely delivery.

Note that you can also flip the result/achievement with the responsibility:

Achieved a 20% increase in repeat clientele by implementing customer feedback into service enhancements.

Discover more examples of work experience for catering professionals further down the page.

4. Skills

The skills section provides a concise overview of professional abilities relevant to catering. This helps hiring managers quickly assess qualifications and identify top applicants.

Skills can be grouped into three categories:

  • Soft skills are interpersonal abilities that significantly impact how catering professionals collaborate and serve clients. Qualities like communication, adaptability, attention to detail, and teamwork are essential for ensuring smooth operations, improving customer satisfaction, and building lasting relationships in the fast-paced catering industry.
  • Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities gained through education, training, or experience. For catering professionals, examples include menu planning, food preparation techniques, and knowledge of food safety regulations.
  • Technical skills refer to the specific knowledge and abilities required to perform tasks in a given profession. In catering, this includes skill in kitchen equipment, food safety management systems, and menu planning software.

In general, aim to showcase a diverse range of relevant skills that align with the job requirements to illustrate your full potential in the catering industry. Find additional catering skills examples further down the page.

TipPRO TIP

If you’re a newer catering professional, consider placing your skills section near the top of your resume, right after your summary. For those with more experience, it’s beneficial to position this section lower and weave your skills into the descriptions of your work history.

5. Education

Understanding how to list education on your resume is essential to showcase your qualifications. Start with your most recent or relevant degree, clearly stating the type of degree and the institution.

If you’ve recently graduated, you might include your graduation year, GPA (if it’s 3.5 or above), any honors received, and relevant coursework to highlight your academic achievements.

Catering resume education section example:

Diploma in Culinary Arts
Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY
Graduated: 2023 | Valedictorian

TipPRO TIP

If you’re progressing from an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts to a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, or have earned another relevant degree, list both in reverse-chronological order.

6. Certifications

Including certifications on your resume can improve your appeal, particularly when hands-on experience in catering is limited. While this section isn’t always standard, it holds significant value for many professionals in the culinary industry. For instance, employers often seek specific certifications, such as ServSafe or food handler permits, for roles involving food safety and sanitation.

Include only the certifications relevant to your catering role and clearly support your qualifications. It’s essential to keep these credentials current and formatted neatly for easy reference by potential employers.

Catering certification examples:

  • Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) | National Registry of Food Safety Professionals | Expires: 03/2028
  • ServSafe Food Handler Certification | National Restaurant Association | Expires: 06/2027
  • Catering and Events Management Certification | International Caterers Association | Expires: 01/2028
  • Allergen Awareness Certification | Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) | Expires: 09/2027

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Tailor Your Work History to Beat the ATS

Your work experience is more than a list of job titles. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate the measurable impact you’ve made on events, client satisfaction, and team performance in catering services. This approach also results in an ATS-friendly resume that can be easily scanned by applicant tracking systems (ATS).

To create a strong work history, tailor it to the specific catering role you’re applying for by incorporating relevant keywords and terminology. Begin by analyzing the job description thoroughly. Identify repeated skills, types of events, or culinary requirements mentioned and reflect those elements in your experience descriptions where appropriate.

These examples are pulled from our most-used entries in the resume builder—based on what hiring managers respond to most.

  • Planned and executed catering events for 200+ guests, achieving a client satisfaction rating of 95%.
  • Coordinated with vendors to source high-quality ingredients, reducing food costs by 15% while maintaining quality.
  • Mentored kitchen staff on food preparation techniques, improving efficiency and presentation quality in dishes.
  • Used inventory management software to track supplies, minimizing waste by 20% over six months.
  • Collaborated with event planners to customize menus for diverse dietary needs, improving overall guest experience.

Example of Skills for Catering

Highlighting the right skills for your resume signals to employers and ATS that you possess the essential abilities required to thrive in catering. Since hiring managers often scan resumes quickly, ensure your skills are focused, relevant, and directly aligned with the job description.

The skills outlined below reflect what is currently valued in the catering industry. These skills commonly appear in successful resumes and resonate with hiring managers seeking applicants who can excel in this dynamic field.

5 Soft Skills for Your Resume or CV

  • Time management skills
  • Team leadership abilities
  • Customer service excellence
  • Effective communication
  • Event planning expertise

5 Hard Skills for Your Resume or CV

  • Menu planning and development
  • Food safety compliance (ServSafe)
  • Catering software skill (Caterease, PeachWorks)
  • Event coordination and logistics
  • Cost estimation and budgeting

Key Takeaways

  • Customize your resume for each job application. Use the hiring manager’s terminology to describe your skills and experience, which resonates with both ATS and human reviewers.
  • Highlight quantifiable achievements to demonstrate your impact. Include specific metrics where possible (e.g., guest satisfaction ratings, number of events catered, budget management).
  • Select an appropriate format for your experience level. Beginners might find a functional or hybrid template useful, while seasoned caterers usually opt for a reverse-chronological format.

More Resume & CV Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

Last Update:

What resume format should I use for my catering resume?

There are three main resume formats to consider when applying for catering positions. The choice of format should reflect your experience level and the specific skills or achievements you wish to highlight:

  • Chronological: The most popular format, a chronological resume highlights your work experience in catering, detailing your responsibilities and achievements. This makes it an excellent choice for applicants with a consistent and relevant job history that adds credibility to their qualifications.
  • Functional: Also known as a skills-based resume, the functional resume highlights a summary of qualifications and an expanded skills section to showcase your catering abilities. By minimizing emphasis on work history, this format is particularly useful for job seekers without relevant experience or those transitioning into the catering industry.
  • Combination: A combination resume integrates chronological and functional aspects, featuring a comprehensive skills section alongside work experience. This format allows professionals in catering to showcase their culinary talents and service expertise while demonstrating their career progression in the industry, making it suitable for various roles.
Should I include a cover letter with my resume?

Yes, including a cover letter with your catering job application is important. A thoughtfully crafted letter lets you express your enthusiasm for both the role and the company while highlighting skills and experiences that might not be evident in your resume. This personalized touch can distinguish you from other applicants who may overlook this key component of their application.

If you’re uncertain about how to write a cover letter, don’t worry—you’re not alone. There are numerous resources designed to guide you through the process, including articles on structuring a cover letter, samples specific to the catering industry, and various formats for different experience levels. These tools help you create a compelling narrative aligned with your professional journey.

To simplify things further, consider using a cover letter generator. It can assist in quickly crafting a polished document by providing templates and suggestions tailored to your catering job application.

What keywords should I include to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS)?

When crafting your resume, it’s important to include keywords and phrases from the job listing. Using terms like “event coordination,” “menu planning,” or “food safety” can help ensure your resume aligns with what employers are seeking. Take note of specific requirements mentioned in the posting.

Additionally, highlight any relevant certifications, such as ServSafe or HACCP, along with technical tools you may be familiar with, like catering management software or inventory tracking systems. This demonstrates that you possess the qualifications necessary for the catering role and helps your resume stand out during ATS screening.

Should I include volunteer catering events or personal chef experiences?

Yes, especially if you’re starting in the catering industry. Listing volunteer work and personal projects demonstrates your culinary skills and event management capabilities, making you stand out when formal catering positions are limited on your resume.

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Kirsten Chorpenning Career Advice Expert

Kirsten Chorpenning is a career advice writer who empowers job seekers to take control of their career paths using Monster’s comprehensive job search and resume tools. She specializes in helping job seekers find rewarding jobs in today’s dynamic work environment.Holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in writing, Kirsten combines academic knowledge with five years of career industry experience to provide practical job search guidance. She focuses on the nuances of the modern job market and effective strategies for job applications. Her work, which focuses on providing actionable advice on how to secure interviews and achieve long-term career success, has been featured in Forbes, Money Talks News, MSN, and FlexJobs.

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