A good catering resume focuses on your related skills, such as venue staging, inventory tracking, or buffet setup. Give examples of your success as a caterer or in similar roles, and show your knowledge base by citing any degree or certificate programs you’ve completed. This guide provides expert tips to help you create a persuasive resume showing your best catering qualifications.
Key takeaways:
- Spell out the positive impact of your past catering work. Describe how your efforts helped the wider organization or facility achieve its goals.
- Use bullet points to display your achievements. Start each bullet point with a strong verb like “Created,” “Delivered,” or “Streamlined.”
- Follow the combination resume format to provide all required information while positioning yourself for catering jobs that interest you.
Most Popular Catering Resumes
Catering Manager Resume Example
Why this catering manager resume example is strong:
This resume highlights a decade of experience with clear leadership metrics and growth initiatives. It demonstrates operational and strategic impact from vendor negotiations to reducing waste. For more guidance on structuring resumes with strong leadership skills, visit How to list skills on a resume.
Catering Owner Resume Example
Why this catering owner resume example is strong:
This resume vividly portrays entrepreneurship and culinary leadership. The quantifiable growth in client base and staff development enhances its strength. Learn how to elevate business ownership experience at Resume personal statement examples.
Catering Service Resume Example
Why this catering service resume example is strong:
This resume highlights adaptability and strong client focus, vital in service roles. It shows a growth mindset and consistent results. Explore additional resume writing tips at What to put on a resume.
Catering Waitress Resume Example
Why this catering waitress resume example is strong:
This resume stands out for its clear role-specific skills and event execution focus. It reflects a dependable work ethic. For more suggestions on first jobs and early experience, visit How to write your first job resume.
Catering Assistant Resume Example
Why this catering assistant resume example is strong:
This resume is clear and practical, demonstrating how the candidate plays a crucial behind-the-scenes role in successful events. For additional layout tips, read Best resume formats.
Catering Attendant Resume Example
Why this catering attendant resume example is strong:
This resume shines by highlighting reliability and attention to detail — critical traits for this role. If you’re unsure how far back your resume should go, read How far should a resume go.
Catering Bartender Resume Example
Why this catering bartender resume example is strong:
Daniel’s resume highlights a blend of creativity and responsibility — two essential traits in a bar role. His quantifiable achievements demonstrate initiative and leadership. Learn how to present similar results using resume action words.
Catering Chef Resume Example
Why this catering chef resume example is strong:
This resume excels by showcasing both creative and operational strengths, like menu planning and staff retention. Learn how to highlight your technical expertise at hard skills for a resume.
Catering Company Resume Example
Why this catering company resume example is strong:
This resume stands out for its clarity on business growth and strategy execution. If you’re managing or launching a business, this format works well. Learn how to build a modern resume that scales with your career at career advice: best-looking resumes.
Catering Cook Resume Example
Why this catering cook resume example is strong:
Alicia’s resume emphasizes hands-on food preparation, making it ideal for technical kitchen roles. Learn how to properly present your background and certifications at how to list a degree on a resume.
Event Catering Coordinator Resume Example
Why this event catering coordinator resume example is strong:
Bryce’s resume focuses on event planning and communication — ideal for catering logistics roles. Learn how to refine your professional background at how to make a resume.
Catering Supervisor Resume Example
Why this catering supervisor resume example is strong:
Lindsey’s resume demonstrates leadership, delegation, and process improvement—all keys for mid- to senior-level roles. For similar supervisory resumes, explore career advice: job titles for resume.
Banquet Server Resume Example
Why this banquet server resume example is strong:
This resume shows a clear understanding of formal event standards and teamwork. The candidate emphasizes speed and professionalism. If you’re unsure how to list similar jobs, visit work experience on a resume.
Wedding Catering Coordinator Resume Example
Why this wedding catering coordinator resume example is strong:
Jason’s resume clearly tailors experience to wedding clients, a niche with specific expectations. To refine your own client-centered summaries, check out how to write a resume summary.
Catering Sales Manager Resume Example
Why this catering sales manager resume example is strong:
This resume balances sales performance with event-specific responsibilities. It’s results-focused and market-aware. Learn how to build a results-driven document at resume keywords.
Drop-Off Catering Driver Resume Example
Why this drop-off catering driver resume example is strong:
Anthony highlights reliability and client service — two essentials in delivery. This role depends on consistency and clarity. Learn how to improve layout and logic in your resume at resume outline examples.
Corporate Catering Specialist Resume Example
Why this corporate catering specialist resume example is strong:
Natasha’s resume focuses on dependability and discretion, vital for recurring high-value clients. Get more insight into building trust-based roles at core competencies resume.
Mobile Catering Coordinator Resume Example
Why this mobile catering coordinator resume example is strong:
Leo’s resume connects field logistics with vendor engagement — ideal for event-heavy roles. Explore how to structure resumes with diverse logistics responsibilities at resume job description.
On-Site Event Chef Resume Example
Why this on-site event chef resume example is strong:
This resume shines by detailing hands-on cooking and safety practices, a niche most chefs don’t highlight. For advice on styling resumes for specialty roles, see best fonts for your resume.
Catering Kitchen Supervisor Resume Example
Why this catering kitchen supervisor resume example is strong:
Gregory’s resume effectively shows back-of-house leadership, budget control, and consistency — all crucial for high-output kitchens. Learn how to show career progression and supervisory skills at how to show a promotion on a resume.
Catering Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates
How To Write a Catering Resume
A template can help you organize your career information for an effective catering resume. Your catering resume should usually have these sections:
- Contact information
- Profile
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Education
Before starting work on your resume, jot down your preferences for your target job duties, venue size, cuisine, or work culture. These notes will help you determine and emphasize your best career details as you develop each section.
1. Share your contact information
Give your full name, phone number, email address, location, and links to any online professional profiles. When applying to jobs, double-check your contact info for accuracy – it’s as important as anything else on your resume.
Example:
Your Name
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | City, ST 09876 | LinkedIn
2. Create a profile by summarizing your catering qualifications
Impress hiring managers at the top of your resume by giving the three to five main reasons you can excel as their next hire. Consider what sets you apart from other candidates, such as your:
- Years of catering or related work experience
- Main strengths or specialties
- Advanced degree(s) or certifications in your field
(Note: Most job seekers find it easier to write their profile last.)
Example:
Catering professional with eight years of experience managing food and beverage service for weddings, corporate functions, and private events. Known for coordinating logistics with kitchen staff and delivering high-quality service under tight deadlines.
3. Create a powerful list of your relevant experience
For each recent job you’ve held, specify your title, employer name, location, and work dates. Then, flesh out your description of each role to the extent it speaks to your target job. Give a brief overview of any jobs unrelated to catering, even ones you held for a long time. And provide a detailed account of any highly related jobs, even ones you held only briefly.
Far from misleading, this approach gives hiring managers the clearest measure of your background relevant to the role they hope to fill.
Example:
Senior Catering Manager, Gourmet Events, City, ST | June 2015 – Present
- Led a team of 15 staff to execute over 200 events annually, increasing client satisfaction scores by 25%
- Established new inventory system that reduced waste by 20%
- Negotiated vendor contracts, saving the company $50,000 annually
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
When possible, cite relevant performance data and metrics to show the results you’ve achieved in catering. Hard numbers put your work in context and give recruiters a better sense of your scope and impact.
Do:
- “Served up to 200 guests per event and reduced food waste by 15% through portion control strategies”
Don’t:
- “Helped serve food and clean up after events”
Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume to each application
Before sending your resume, review it carefully against the catering job posting. Delete any details that don’t speak to the requirements, and consider using that space for more information about your relevant experience. This process takes extra time. But it can shorten your overall job search by giving you an edge over the many applicants who send a more general, less convincing resume.
What if you have no work experience?
Focus on your other credentials. Omit the “Professional Experience” section, and instead fill the page with details on relevant skills you’ve gained or projects you’ve worked on as an intern, volunteer, or student.
Regardless of your background, know that resumes are flexible. They can and should take whatever shape and structure they need to present your qualifications, whether that means a lengthy work experience section or none.
4. Add catering education and certifications
With the education and certifications sections, you can show that you have a strong knowledge base in your field. Cite any credentials you’ve earned that speak to your abilities in catering. Below are templates and examples to help you organize this information on your resume (note, years and location details are optional).
Education
Template:
[Degree Name], [School Name], [City, ST] | [Graduation Year]
[Relevant honors, coursework, or activities]
Example:
Associate of Science in Culinary Arts, Community College of Philadelphia | 2022
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Year]
[Description if the credential is lesser-known but relevant]
Example:
Food Handler Certificate, ServSafe | 2023
5. List key skills and proficiencies for catering
A skills section lets you quickly show how you can contribute and excel in your target position. It also helps your resume perform well on applicant tracking systems (ATS) employers use to screen candidates. Below, you’ll find some key terms and skills to consider for this section:
| Key skills | |
|---|---|
| Beverage service | Buffet setup and breakdown |
| Client interaction | Event coordination |
| Food handling and safety | Food preparation |
| Inventory tracking | Meal plating and presentation |
| Sanitation compliance | Scheduling |
| Serving large groups | Setup and cleanup |
| Table arrangement | Teamwork |
| Time management | Utensil and dish sanitization |
| Venue staging | |
Resume writer’s tip: Use specific action verbs
Start each bullet point with a strong action verb. Dynamic verbs help you keep the hiring manager’s attention and tell a compelling story about your experience.
The following list can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your catering resume:
| Action verbs | |
|---|---|
| Arranged | Assembled |
| Coordinated | Created |
| Decreased | Delivered |
| Enhanced | Fostered |
| Generated | Grew |
| Improved | Increased |
| Introduced | Lowered |
| Maintained | Managed |
| Monitored | Organized |
| Plated | Prepared |
| Prevented | Ranked |
| Reduced | Replenished |
| Served | Set up |
| Stocked | Streamlined |
| Trained | Updated |
| Won | |
How To Pick the Best Catering Resume Template
The best resume templates are simple and easy to edit. Choose one that lets you quickly add, delete, flesh out, rearrange, and reorder sections. With a flexible design, you can tailor and optimize your resume for each job application.
Frequently Asked Questions: Catering Resume Examples and Advice
First, look closely at the job post text and note repeated or emphasized words. Compare these phrases with the language in your resume, particularly the profile and key skills sections. Then, seek ways to align your resume language with the job posting while not copying phrases or misstating your background.
For example, if the organization seeks someone collaborative, call out that aspect of your experience in your profile. Or say the company has many non-English speaking customers. Cite your foreign language skills both in your profile and as a separate section further down the document. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each opportunity.
The combination or hybrid format, which merges a functional resume's profile section with a chronological resume's experience section. Most modern resumes (including the ones on this page) follow the combination format because it gives hiring managers the clearest view of an applicant's strengths and work history.
Include a cover letter with your resume
A good cover letter sharpens your job application by directly explaining why you’re interested in the organization or job opening. When possible, quote or paraphrase text from the job posting and explain why it caught your attention.
Check Out Related Examples
Resume Templates offers HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.
