Restaurant Job CV Example
A general-purpose CV for anyone seeking restaurant employment, whether in front-of-house or back-of-house roles. Presents your food service experience, team skills, and customer-facing abilities.
Recommended template: MinimalPro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Tailor your CV to the specific restaurant role you are applying for, whether serving, hosting, or kitchen support.
- Include any relevant certifications such as food hygiene, allergen awareness, or personal licence.
- Mention your availability clearly, including willingness to work evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.
- Highlight transferable skills from other customer-facing roles if you are new to the restaurant industry.
Ready to build your CV?
Start with the Minimal template and customise it for your hospitality role.
Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Restaurant Job CV
A restaurant job CV should present you as a reliable, customer-friendly team player who can adapt to the demands of a busy food service environment. Whether you are applying for a waiter, kitchen assistant, or general team member role, employers want to see that you are hard-working, presentable, and enthusiastic about the restaurant industry. Your CV should highlight relevant experience, food safety awareness, and your availability for the shift patterns required.
CV Structure
Use a straightforward reverse-chronological layout with a brief profile, work experience, skills, and education. For each role, state the restaurant type and your duties across front-of-house and back-of-house areas. Include two to three achievements that show your value. Keep the CV to one page — restaurant managers appreciate brevity and clarity.
CV Format
Choose a clean, simple template. Avoid complex designs or excessive colour. Ensure your food hygiene certificate and availability are clearly stated. Use bullet points for duties and keep descriptions short and action-oriented.
CV Profile Examples
Experienced Restaurant Worker
Adaptable and customer-focused restaurant professional with four years of experience across front-of-house and back-of-house roles in casual dining and independent restaurant settings. Comfortable taking orders, serving food, operating the till, and supporting kitchen preparation during peak periods. Holds a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and a personal licence for alcohol service.
Part-Time Restaurant Worker
Energetic and reliable part-time restaurant worker balancing university studies with two years of evening and weekend shifts in busy city-centre restaurants. Experienced in table service, order taking via handheld POS devices, and managing takeaway collections efficiently. Available for flexible hours including bank holidays and summer periods.
First Restaurant Job
Enthusiastic and personable individual seeking a first restaurant role, bringing excellent communication skills and a genuine passion for food and customer service. Completed a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate through college and gained basic kitchen experience through voluntary work at a community cafe. Eager to contribute energy and a positive attitude to a welcoming restaurant team.
Write a two-to-three sentence summary covering your experience, the types of restaurants you have worked in, and your strongest attribute. Mention your food hygiene certification and availability for evening and weekend shifts.
Key Skills for Your Restaurant Job CV
Food Service
Preparing, carrying, and presenting food and beverages to guests in a restaurant or takeaway setting.
Customer Interaction
Engaging with guests in a friendly, professional manner to create a positive dining experience.
Order Taking
Recording food and drink orders accurately using POS systems, paper pads, or verbal communication with the kitchen.
Table Management
Setting up, maintaining, and turning over tables efficiently to maximise covers during service.
Hygiene Compliance
Following food safety and hygiene procedures including hand washing, surface cleaning, and temperature checks.
Cash Register Operation
Processing payments, splitting bills, and handling refunds accurately using electronic till systems.
Flexibility
Adapting to different roles and tasks as required, from serving to kitchen support to cleaning duties.
Communication
Communicating clearly with colleagues, kitchen staff, and guests to ensure smooth service delivery.
Work Experience Examples
For each role, describe the restaurant and the volume of covers or orders handled. List duties that span both customer service and operational tasks. Include achievements such as mystery shopper scores, positive reviews, or training responsibilities to show you go beyond the basics.
Restaurant Team Member
Nando's, Sheffield
Worked across front-of-house and kitchen roles in a high-volume casual dining restaurant serving an average of 300 covers per day.
Responsibilities
- Greeted guests, took food and drink orders using handheld POS devices, and delivered meals to tables.
- Operated the till, processing cash, card, and contactless payments and handling refunds when required.
- Supported the kitchen team with food preparation tasks during peak service, including assembling sides and desserts.
- Maintained restaurant cleanliness by bussing tables, cleaning dining areas, and restocking condiments and cutlery stations.
- Followed food hygiene procedures including hand washing, surface sanitisation, and temperature monitoring.
Achievements
- Achieved a 95% mystery shopper score for service quality and brand standard compliance.
- Trained five new team members on front-of-house procedures and POS system operation during their induction period.
- Recognised as Team Member of the Month twice in twelve months for positive customer feedback and teamwork.
Waitress and Takeaway Assistant
The Spice Lounge, Rotherham
Provided table service and managed takeaway orders in a popular independent Indian restaurant with 60 covers and a busy delivery operation.
Responsibilities
- Served food and drinks to dine-in customers, explaining menu items and accommodating dietary requests.
- Managed incoming takeaway and delivery orders via phone and Just Eat, ensuring accuracy and timely preparation.
- Reconciled the till at the end of each shift and prepared the daily takings summary for the owner.
- Assisted with restaurant set-up and close-down, including table laying, candle lighting, and floor cleaning.
Achievements
- Helped increase the restaurant's Just Eat rating from 4.1 to 4.5 by improving order accuracy and packaging quality.
- Built strong rapport with regular customers, contributing to a loyal repeat customer base acknowledged by the owner.
Education & Qualifications
List your food hygiene certificate first. Follow with any hospitality courses or NVQs. Include GCSEs or equivalent qualifications. If you are currently studying, mention your course and expected completion date alongside your availability for shifts.
Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate
Essential food safety certification for anyone working in a restaurant environment handling food.
Personal Licence (APLH)
Licence authorising the sale and supervision of alcohol, valued in restaurants with bar service.
Level 2 Award in Food Allergen Awareness
Certification covering allergen identification and communication in food service settings.
Level 1 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering
Introductory qualification providing an overview of the hospitality industry and basic service skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I write a restaurant CV with no experience?
What should I include on a restaurant CV?
Should I mention my availability on a restaurant CV?
How long should a restaurant CV be?
More Hospitality CV Examples
Waiter or Waitress CV
A polished CV for front-of-house professionals delivering exceptional dining experiences. Highlights your customer service excellence, menu knowledge, and ability to work efficiently in fast-paced restaurant environments.
Assistant Chef CV
Designed for assistant chefs supporting head chefs and kitchen brigades in preparing high-quality dishes. Demonstrates your culinary skills, food safety knowledge, and ability to work under pressure.
Cafe Worker CV
For cafe and coffee shop professionals who combine barista skills with friendly customer service. Showcases your ability to prepare beverages, handle food safely, and create a welcoming atmosphere.
Catering Assistant CV
Tailored for catering assistants supporting food service operations in schools, hospitals, corporate venues, or event settings. Emphasises your food preparation skills and adherence to hygiene regulations.
Chef CV
A comprehensive CV for experienced chefs across all kitchen levels, from commis to executive chef. Showcases your culinary creativity, kitchen management skills, and commitment to excellence in food quality.
Chef de Partie CV
For chefs de partie managing specific kitchen sections such as sauces, pastry, or grill. Demonstrates your ability to run a section independently while maintaining consistency and quality standards.