How to Write a Chef Cover Letter + Example & Tips

Tips for writing your chef cover letter

Your chef cover letter needs to start with a salutation. Include your name, contact information, and social media handles. A professional cover letter should also start with the hiring manager’s name, rather than a generic introduction like, “To Whom It May Concern.” From there, you can start writing with a chef cover letter template.

First paragraph: Introduce yourself with a hook and list your best achievements

You need to introduce yourself with a hook that will keep a hiring manager interested in what you have to say. This applicant starts with his very first culinary job, as a line cook in a small diner. From there, he follows his achievements, moving to culinary school, becoming a sous chef, and crafting signature dishes at a London restaurant. These are all extremely impressive achievements, and they show great initiative on the applicant’s part, which is something that a hiring manager wants to see.

Second paragraph: Provide more information about how you’re the best fit for the job

Now that the recruiter is reading, you can give further details about your experience, discussing exactly how you create a superior dining experience for your guests. This applicant discusses his love for the kitchen staff, indicating great teamwork, and mentions that his specialty is in Persian cuisine, which helps the recruiter understand what type of food he’s most likely to want to create as a chef. If you had extra key achievements to note, you can put them under this paragraph in bullet points.

Third paragraph: Call to action

Now that you’ve made it all the way through the cover letter, conclude with a call to action. In this example, the applicant states, “I will contact you next week to schedule a time to speak with you.” This shows confidence to hiring managers and incentivises them to call back and set up an interview.