Chefs and Head Cooks Resume Samples and Templates for 2025

Chef Resume Guide for India

A well-crafted chef resume is essential for success in India’s thriving culinary industry. Whether you’re a fresher starting your career after completing a culinary diploma or an experienced professional seeking growth at leading hotels like Taj, Oberoi, ITC, premium restaurants, or cruise lines, this guide provides everything you need to create a standout resume that impresses Indian employers and passes ATS screening on portals like Naukri and LinkedIn.

This comprehensive guide includes:

• Resume format recommendations for India
• Key skills Indian culinary employers look for
• Complete resume example with Indian context
• Top chef employers in India
• Salary insights in INR by experience level
• Certification guidance
• ATS optimization tips for Indian job portals

Why Your Chef Resume Matters in India

India’s culinary industry is expanding rapidly, with companies like Taj Hotels (IHCL), Oberoi Group, ITC Hotels, Lite Bite Foods, and premium standalone restaurants actively hiring skilled chefs. A strong resume helps you:

• Stand out from thousands of applicants on Naukri and LinkedIn
• Pass ATS screening used by major hotel chains and restaurant groups
• Showcase skills that Indian employers value, including cuisine expertise and kitchen management
• Demonstrate your ability to handle both Indian and international cuisines

Indian culinary recruiters value practical skills, creativity, and leadership abilities. Your chef resume must immediately communicate your cooking expertise, menu development skills, and kitchen management experience. With India’s growing fine dining and hospitality sector, a well-optimized resume is your ticket to landing interviews at top establishments.

Chef Resume Format for India

Indian employers prefer clean, professional resume formats. Here’s what works best:

Recommended Format

• Length: 1-2 pages (freshers: 1 page, experienced: 2 pages max)
• Layout: Reverse chronological (most recent first)
• Font: Clean fonts like Calibri or Arial (11-12pt)
• Sections: Contact, Summary, Skills, Experience, Education, Certifications

Portfolio Importance

In India’s culinary industry, a food portfolio significantly strengthens your application. Include photos of signature dishes or mention availability of samples.

Personal Details for Indian Chef Resumes

Indian resumes typically include:

• Full name
• Phone number with country code (+91)
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn or Instagram portfolio link
• City, State (full address not required)

What to Avoid

• Complex formatting
• Personal information like religion, caste, or father’s name (outdated practice)
• Salary expectations (discuss during interview)
• References (provide when requested)

Key Skills for Chefs in India

Indian culinary employers look for a combination of cooking expertise, management skills, and creativity.

Core Culinary Skills

• Cuisine Expertise: Indian regional, Continental, Asian, Italian
• Menu Development: Recipe creation, costing, seasonal menus
• Kitchen Management: Brigade supervision, scheduling
• Food Presentation: Plating, garnishing, aesthetics
• Quality Control: Taste consistency, portion control
• Food Safety: HACCP, hygiene standards
• Cost Control: Food cost management, waste reduction

Cuisine Specializations

• North Indian (Punjabi, Lucknowi, Kashmiri)
• South Indian (Tamil, Kerala, Andhra)
• Indian street food and regional specialties
• Continental and European
• Pan-Asian (Chinese, Thai, Japanese)
• Italian and Mediterranean
• Bakery and Pastry

Technical Skills

• Kitchen equipment operation
• Inventory management systems
• Recipe documentation
• Menu engineering
• FSSAI compliance
• Banquet and bulk cooking

Soft Skills Valued in Indian Kitchens

• Leadership: Managing kitchen brigade
• Creativity: Innovative dish development
• Time Management: Meeting service timings
• Stress Management: Handling rush hours
• Communication: Coordinating with service staff

How to Present Skills

List cuisine specializations prominently. Use exact keywords from job postings to improve ATS matching. Mention specific cuisines and cooking techniques you excel in.

Chef Resume Example for India

Here’s a complete resume example tailored for Indian employers:

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Vikram Chand Sharma

Delhi, India | +91-98XXX-XXXXX | vikram.chef@email.com | instagram.com/chefvikram

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Professional Summary

Creative Executive Chef with 12+ years of experience in luxury hotel and fine dining kitchens. Expertise in North Indian, Continental, and Pan-Asian cuisines with proven track record of developing award-winning menus. Led kitchen brigades of 40+ chefs at 5-star properties with consistent guest satisfaction above 95%. Skilled in banquet operations handling events up to 2,000 covers. HACCP certified with strong focus on food safety and cost optimization.

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Key Skills

Menu Development | North Indian Cuisine | Continental Cooking | Kitchen Management | Food Cost Control | HACCP | Banquet Operations | Team Leadership | Recipe Standardization | Quality Control

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Professional Experience

Executive Chef | ITC Maurya | New Delhi | April 2020 – Present

• Lead kitchen operations for 5-star luxury hotel with 450 rooms
• Manage brigade of 45 chefs across multiple outlets
• Develop seasonal menus achieving 95% guest satisfaction
• Handle banquet operations for events up to 2,000 covers
• Maintain food cost at 28% against 32% industry average
• Trained 20+ chefs who advanced to senior positions
• Recipient of “Chef Excellence Award” 2022

Sous Chef | Taj Palace | New Delhi | June 2016 – March 2020

• Supervised Indian specialty restaurant with 150 covers
• Developed signature dishes featured in Condé Nast Traveller
• Managed daily operations and staff scheduling
• Achieved 4.8/5 rating on Zomato and TripAdvisor
• Coordinated with F&B for VIP and celebrity events
• Reduced food waste by 20% through inventory optimization

Chef de Partie | The Oberoi | Mumbai | July 2012 – May 2016

• Handled Indian cuisine section in main kitchen
• Created daily specials and tasting menus
• Trained junior chefs on cooking techniques
• Maintained consistency across all dishes
• Received “Rising Chef” award 2014

Commis Chef | Taj Lands End | Mumbai | June 2010 – June 2012

• Started career in Indian cuisine section
• Learned fundamentals of luxury hotel kitchen operations
• Assisted in banquet and à la carte service
• Developed skills in multiple cuisine stations

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Education

Diploma in Culinary Arts | IHM Mumbai | 2010

• 3-year diploma program
• Specialization: Indian Cuisine
• First Division with Distinction

Higher Secondary (12th) | CBSE | 2007

• Science stream

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Certifications

• HACCP Food Safety | DNV GL | 2020
• FSSAI Food Safety Supervisor | 2021
• Advanced Indian Cuisine | ITC Chef Craft | 2019
• Wine and Food Pairing | WSET Level 2 | 2018

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Cuisine Expertise

Indian: North Indian, Awadhi, Tandoor, Regional International: Continental, Italian, Pan-Asian, Mediterranean Specialties: Tasting Menus, Molecular Gastronomy Basics, Banquet Production

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Signature Dishes

• Slow-cooked Raan with Saffron Reduction
• Deconstructed Butter Chicken
• Fusion Dal Makhani Risotto
• Modern Gajar Ka Halwa Soufflé

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Languages

Hindi (Native) | English (Fluent) | Punjabi (Native)

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Declaration

I hereby declare that the information provided above is true to the best of my knowledge.

Vikram Chand Sharma Delhi, December 2024

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Note: Declaration statements are common in Indian resumes.

Top Chef Employers in India

India’s culinary industry offers excellent opportunities. Here are the top employers:

Luxury Hotel Chains

• Taj Hotels (IHCL): India’s premier hotel chain (100+ properties)
• Oberoi Hotels: Ultra-luxury properties
• ITC Hotels: Business and luxury hotels
• The Leela Palaces: Luxury hospitality
• Marriott/JW Marriott: International standards

Premium Restaurant Groups

• Lite Bite Foods: Punjab Grill, Asia 7
• Speciality Restaurants: Mainland China, Oh! Calcutta
• Azure Hospitality: Mamagoto, Dhaba
• Impresario Entertainment: Social, Smoke House Deli

Fine Dining Restaurants

• Indian Accent: Award-winning modern Indian
• Bukhara (ITC): Legendary tandoor cuisine
• Dum Pukht (ITC): Awadhi cuisine
• Le Cirque (The Leela): French fine dining

Cruise Lines

• Cordelia Cruises: Indian cruise line
• International cruise lines: Celebrity, Royal Caribbean (abroad)

Catering Companies

• IHCL Catering: Premium catering services
• Independent caterers: Wedding and corporate

How to Apply

• Visit hotel career pages directly
• Apply through Naukri.com and LinkedIn
• Register with IHM placement cells
• Network at culinary events and competitions
• Chef recruitment agencies

Chef Salary in India

Salaries vary based on experience, property type, and location.

Salary by Experience Level

Experience	Monthly Salary (INR)
Commis Chef (0-2 years)	₹15,000 - ₹25,000
Chef de Partie (3-5 years)	₹25,000 - ₹45,000
Sous Chef (5-8 years)	₹45,000 - ₹80,000
Executive Chef (8+ years)	₹80,000 - ₹2,00,000+

Note: 5-star hotels pay significantly more; celebrity chef status commands premium.

Salary by City

City	Salary Range (Sous Chef)
Mumbai	₹55,000 - ₹90,000/month
Delhi NCR	₹50,000 - ₹85,000/month
Bangalore	₹45,000 - ₹75,000/month
Goa	₹45,000 - ₹70,000/month
Chennai	₹40,000 - ₹65,000/month
Hyderabad	₹40,000 - ₹65,000/month

Additional Benefits

• Meals: Free during shifts
• Accommodation: Provided at many hotels
• Medical Insurance: At chain properties
• Uniforms: Chef coats and equipment
• International Exposure: Training abroad at luxury chains

Factors Affecting Salary

• Property Type: 5-star hotels pay highest
• Cuisine Specialty: Rare cuisines command premium
• Awards/Recognition: Award-winning chefs earn more
• TV Appearances: Celebrity status increases value

Salary data based on Glassdoor India, AmbitionBox, and industry surveys.

Training & Certification for Chefs in India

Professional training is essential in this competitive field.

Culinary Institutes

• IHM (Institute of Hotel Management): Government institutes (Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai)
• Culinary Academy of India: Hyderabad
• Institute of Culinary Arts (ICA): Bengaluru
• Welcomgroup Graduate School: Manipal
• Private culinary schools: Multiple cities

Industry Certifications

• HACCP Certification: Food safety standard
• FSSAI Food Safety Supervisor: Mandatory
• Certified Executive Chef: American Culinary Federation
• Wine certifications: WSET, sommelier courses
• Brand-specific certifications: Taj, ITC training

Specialty Training

• Regional Indian cuisine workshops
• International cuisine courses
• Pastry and bakery specialization
• Molecular gastronomy
• Food photography and styling

How to List Certifications

Include certification name, issuing body, and year. HACCP and FSSAI certifications are essential. Mention any international training or awards prominently.

ATS Tips for Your Chef Resume

Major hotel chains use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Optimize yours:

For Naukri.com

• Use keywords from job description (chef, cuisine, kitchen)
• Keep formatting simple—ATS can’t read complex layouts
• Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills)
• Upload in .docx or .pdf format

For LinkedIn Applications

• Match your resume to your LinkedIn profile
• Use industry-standard job titles (Executive Chef, Sous Chef)
• Include cuisine specializations prominently
• Get endorsements from colleagues and guests

General ATS Tips

• DO: Use clean fonts, clear headings, bullet points
• DO: Include exact keywords (Indian cuisine, menu development, HACCP)
• DO: List specific cuisines and techniques
• DON’T: Use headers/footers, text boxes, or graphics
• DON’T: Use creative section titles

Keyword Strategy for Indian Chef Roles

Review 5-10 job postings. Common keywords include:

• Executive chef, sous chef, chef de partie
• Specific cuisines (North Indian, Continental)
• Menu development, food cost, kitchen management
• HACCP, FSSAI, food safety
• Banquet, à la carte, fine dining

Final Tips for Your Chef Resume

✅ Show cuisine expertise: List specific cuisines and techniques

✅ Include kitchen metrics: Food cost, covers handled, team size

✅ Highlight signature dishes: Mention any recognizable creations

✅ Show career progression: Growth through kitchen hierarchy

✅ Include awards: Culinary awards and recognition matter

✅ Portfolio link: Instagram or website with food photos

Quick Checklist

• Contact information with +91 phone number
• Professional summary highlights cuisine expertise
• Skills section includes specific cuisines
• Experience shows kitchen size and food cost
• Education includes culinary training
• Certifications (HACCP, FSSAI) listed
• Languages mentioned
• Portfolio link included
• Length is appropriate (1-2 pages)

Ready to create your professional chef resume? Use our resume builder to get started with expert-designed templates optimized for Indian job portals and ATS systems.

Looking for more guidance? Check out our resume format guide for additional tips on structuring your culinary resume for the Indian job market.