This article explains how to write a catering assistant CV that highlights your practical experience, work ethic, and ability to contribute to smooth service. You’ll find clear guidance, UK-relevant examples, and helpful tips to create a CV that appeals to employers in the catering and food service industry.

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    Catering assistant CV example

    catering assistant cv samples

    Daniel Morris
    Catering Assistant
    Manchester, UK
    Phone: 07782 546921
    daniel.morris@example.com
    linkedin.com/in/danielmorris

    Personal Profile

    Friendly, reliable, and hardworking Catering Assistant with over 4 years of experience supporting fast-paced food service environments, including restaurants, cafés, and event catering. Experienced in food preparation, customer service, maintaining high standards of hygiene, and supporting kitchen and front-of-house teams during busy service periods. Known for a positive attitude, strong teamwork, and attention to detail. Seeking to contribute to the high-quality service and welcoming atmosphere at Riverstone Bistro.

    Work Experience

    Catering Assistant
    FreshTable Events & Catering, Manchester
    March 2024 – Present

    • Support food preparation and service for corporate events, private functions, and conferences, serving up to 300 guests.
    • Assist chefs with food prep, including chopping, portioning, plating, and basic cooking tasks, ensuring consistency and quality.
    • Set up and clear down service areas efficiently, reducing turnaround time between events by 20%.
    • Maintain strict food hygiene and health & safety standards in line with HACCP guidelines.
    • Provide friendly and professional customer service, responding to guest requests and dietary requirements.
    • Work effectively as part of a team during high-pressure service periods to ensure smooth operations.

    Catering Assistant
    Cornerstone Café, Manchester
    July 2022 – February 2024

    • Delivered high-quality food and beverage service in a busy café serving 150+ customers daily.
    • Assisted with sandwich preparation, hot drinks, and light meals while maintaining excellent presentation standards.
    • Operated tills, handled cash and card payments accurately, and balanced tills at the end of shifts.
    • Ensured dining and kitchen areas were kept clean, organised, and fully stocked throughout service.
    • Helped reduce food waste by accurately rotating stock and monitoring use-by dates.
    • Built a strong rapport with regular customers, contributing to repeat business and positive feedback.

    Education

    Level 2 Certificate in Food Preparation and Cooking
    Manchester College
    September 2016 – July 2017

    • Training included: Food preparation techniques, basic cooking methods, kitchen safety and hygiene, menu planning fundamentals

    Skills

    • Food preparation & kitchen support: assisting chefs with prep work, basic cooking tasks, plating, and maintaining consistent food quality in busy kitchens.
    • Food hygiene & safety: strong understanding of food safety regulations, HACCP principles, allergen awareness, and maintaining clean, safe workspaces.
    • Customer service: delivering friendly, professional service, handling customer enquiries, and responding to dietary needs with care and accuracy.
    • Teamwork: working effectively with kitchen and front-of-house teams to ensure smooth service during peak times.
    • Time management: prioritising tasks, working efficiently under pressure, and supporting fast service without compromising quality.
    • Cleaning & organisation: maintaining high cleanliness standards in kitchens, service areas, and dining spaces.
    • Cash handling & till operation: processing payments accurately and responsibly when supporting front-of-house duties.
    • Attention to detail: ensuring correct portioning, presentation, hygiene standards, and adherence to procedures.

    Certifications

    • Allergen Awareness Training, 2021
    • Health & Safety in the Workplace, 2020

    Languages

    • English – Native
      Spanish – Conversational

    Catering assistant CV templates

    Your catering assistant CV should prove to employers that you work efficiently, adhere to hygiene standards, and support a team during busy service periods. Choosing a professional CV template will help you easily organise your experience, training, and skills.

    Our catering assistant CV templates will clearly present your experience, highlight relevant skills, and make a strong first impression in restaurants, cafés, and catering settings.

    Best format for a catering assistant CV

    Catering assistants are expected to be dependable, efficient, and able to work effectively in busy food-service environments. Your CV should reflect these qualities. Through a clear layout, simple structure, and content, you’ll allow your future employer to quickly understand your experience and strengths.

    When applying for catering assistant roles, the following CV formats are the most effective:

    • The reverse-chronological CV format lists work history from most recent to oldest. This format is ideal for catering, hospitality, food service, or kitchen support roles, letting employers quickly review your experience and responsibilities.
    • The skills-based CV format suits entry-level candidates and career changers by highlighting practical skills over job history. Emphasise skills such as food preparation, hygiene, teamwork, and customer service to demonstrate suitability despite limited experience.

    Both formats work well when tailored correctly. The key is to choose a structure that best highlights your strengths and aligns with your level of experience in catering or hospitality roles.

    How to write a catering assistant CV

    Once you’ve selected a CV format that suits your background, the next step is shaping the details that show you’re ready for catering work. The following sections explain how to write a CV.  By the end, you’ll have a clear foundation for building a catering assistant CV that feels practical, focused, and employer-ready.

    Put your contact details front and centre

    In catering roles, employers often need to fill positions quickly, so your contact details should be easy to find and up to date. Placing them clearly at the top of your CV ensures hiring managers can reach you without delay.

    Your contact section should include:

    • Your full name
    • The job title you’re applying for 
    • Your general location (town or city is enough)
    • Working phone number
    • Professional email address
    • LinkedIn profile

    Keep this section clean and simple. Avoid unnecessary details, such as full addresses or multiple email accounts, and always double-check your CV for spelling errors before sending it.

    Catering assistant example: CV header 

    Daniel Morris
    Catering Assistant

    Manchester, UK
    Phone: 07782 546921
    daniel.morris@example.com
    linkedin.com/in/danielmorris

    Begin with a focused catering assistant personal profile

    Your personal profile is a brief introduction that tells employers who you are as a professional. For catering assistant roles, this is your opportunity to highlight your reliability, teamwork, and efficiency in fast-paced food service environments.

    Here’s what to keep in mind when crafting your personal statement:

    • Start with an action verb followed by your job title.
    • Highlight your key skills and address the requirements listed in the description.
    • Include at least one impressive achievement. Make it quantifiable for better impact.
    • Mention the company name to make it more personalised.
    • Keep it concise, confident, and relevant to catering work so employers are encouraged to read on.

    Catering assistant CV personal profile example

    Friendly, reliable, and hardworking Catering Assistant with over 4 years of experience supporting fast-paced food service environments, including restaurants, cafés, and event catering. Experienced in food preparation, customer service, maintaining high standards of hygiene, and supporting kitchen and front-of-house teams during busy service periods. Known for a positive attitude, strong teamwork, and attention to detail. Seeking to contribute to the high-quality service and welcoming atmosphere at Riverstone Bistro.

    A strong profile should communicate your experience (or enthusiasm if you’re new), understanding of food safety, and your commitment to delivering good service. 

    Show your relevant experience on your catering assistant CV

    Experience is particularly important in catering, where teamwork, speed, and hygiene standards matter. Your work experience section should show that you can contribute positively to kitchen and service operations.

    Here’s how to create a great experience section on your CV:

    • List your job title, employer name, location, and employment dates.
    • Use bullet points to describe what you achieved in each role, not just what you were assigned.
    • Mention practical tasks such as food preparation, serving customers, cleaning stations, or assisting chefs.
    • Include numbers wherever possible. That’s what makes you stand out even more.
    • Leave out roles that don’t add value unless they demonstrate transferable skills, such as teamwork or time management.
    • Show adaptability by highlighting different environments, such as schools, hospitals, cafés, events, or contract catering.

    Catering assistant CV example: work experience section

    Catering Assistant
    FreshTable Events & Catering, Manchester
    March 2024 – Present

    • Support food preparation and service for corporate events, private functions, and conferences, serving up to 300 guests.
    • Assist chefs with food prep, including chopping, portioning, plating, and basic cooking tasks, ensuring consistency and quality.
    • Set up and clear down service areas efficiently, reducing turnaround time between events by 20%.
    • Maintain strict food hygiene and health & safety standards in line with HACCP guidelines.
    • Provide friendly and professional customer service, responding to guest requests and dietary requirements.
    • Work effectively as part of a team during high-pressure service periods to ensure smooth operations.

    Include your education and food-related training

    Your education section should highlight any catering-related training you have completed. While formal qualifications aren’t always required, employers value evidence that you understand food hygiene and workplace standards.

    Here’s what you can include:

    • School, college, or training provider names
    • Dates of study
    • Qualifications achieved.
    • Food hygiene or health and safety training
    • Ongoing or in-progress courses, if applicable

    Even basic certifications such as Food Safety Level 2 can significantly strengthen a catering assistant’s CV, especially when combined with practical experience.

    Catering assistant CV: example of education section

    Level 2 Certificate in Food Preparation and Cooking
    Manchester College
    September 2016 – July 2017

    • Training included: Food preparation techniques, Basic cooking methods, Kitchen safety and hygiene, Menu planning fundamentals

    Highlight your catering assistant skills

    Your skills section should demonstrate both practical kitchen abilities and the personal qualities that make you dependable under pressure. To make it right, combine your hard and soft skills and create a compelling list of qualities your employer can expect from you.

    Key hard skills for catering assistants include:

    • Food preparation 
    • Service support
    • Food hygiene safety
    • Cleaning & sanitation
    • Stock handling & rotation
    • Equipment handling

    Key soft skills for catering assistants include:

    Add extra sections to strengthen your catering assistant CV

    Adding a few extra sections can help you stand out in competitive hospitality environments. These sections highlight reliability, flexibility, and a genuine interest in food service, helping employers see the value you bring beyond basic duties.

    Here are some optional sections you can include:

    • Certifications and training: List relevant qualifications such as Food Safety and Hygiene, Allergen Awareness, Health & Safety, First Aid, or catering-related courses.
    • Availability: Clearly state your availability for early mornings, evenings, weekends, split shifts, or seasonal work.
    • Awards and recognition: Mention any recognition for teamwork, customer service, punctuality, or performance during busy service periods.
    • Languages: Include additional languages with proficiency level, particularly useful in customer-facing catering roles or diverse workplaces.
    • Process improvements: Note contributions such as improving food prep efficiency, reducing waste, or helping maintain hygiene standards.
    • Volunteer work: Include voluntary catering, kitchen support, or community food service roles that demonstrate commitment and reliability.
    • Hobbies and interests: Only add relevant interests, such as cooking, baking, food presentation, or volunteering at food-related events.

    Format your catering assistant CV professionally

    A well-presented CV reflects the organisation and attention to detail expected in catering roles. Clear structure and professional formatting make it easier for employers to quickly assess your suitability.

    Follow these formatting guidelines:

    • Keep the correct CV length. Depending on your experience, it should be between one and two pages
    • Use a clean, easy-to-read CV font such as Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman.
    • Set body text between 10–12pt, with larger headings for clarity.
    • Use bullet points rather than long paragraphs.
    • Maintain consistent spacing and margins to keep the layout uncluttered.
    • Save your CV as a PDF, unless specified otherwise.
    • Name your document correctly. Your surname, job title and CV will do the trick.

    Top dos and don’ts for a catering assistant CV

    Use the guidelines below to avoid common mistakes and present your experience in the strongest possible way.

    DO
    Do choose a template that keeps things simple

    A clean design helps employers quickly spot your experience, skills, and training without distractions.

    Do select a CV format that fits your background

    Use a work-history-led layout if you’ve worked in catering before, or a skills-led structure if you’re just starting out or changing careers.

    Do show results, not just duties

    Where possible, include figures such as covers served, events supported, or time saved during service to prove your contribution.

    Do include sections that show flexibility and commitment

    Availability, food safety training, or voluntary kitchen work can make a big difference in hospitality hiring decisions.

    DON’T
    Don’t rely on broad or unclear wording

    Statements like “assisted with catering tasks” don’t tell employers what you actually did or how well you did it.

    Don’t overlook relevant experience

    Short contracts, seasonal roles, and unpaid catering work still demonstrate practical skills and should be included.

    Don’t let presentation work against you

    Inconsistent formatting, dense blocks of text, or poor spacing can make an otherwise strong CV easy to overlook.

    Don’t fill space with unrelated information

    Focus on food service, teamwork, and hygiene; leave out details that don’t support your suitability for catering roles.

    Your catering assistant questions answered

    What are the duties of a catering assistant?

    A catering assistant is responsible for supporting staff in a commercial kitchen. Tasks can include taking orders and serving customers, essential food preparation and assembly, carrying out kitchen duties such as washing up and cleaning, and ordering and unloading deliveries.

    What qualifications do you need to be a catering assistant?

    The good news is there are no academic requirements to become a catering assistant (besides passing your GCSEs). However, additional qualifications, such as a food safety certificate, apprenticeships, and catering & hospitality courses, will help your application stand out.

    Should I include references on my catering assistant CV?

    While you don’t need to include references directly on your CV, it’s a good idea to have them available on request. Employers like to know that they can contact former managers or colleagues to confirm your work ethic and skills.

    How long should my catering assistant CV be?

    For a catering assistant role, your CV should ideally be one page, especially if you’re early in your career. Focus on relevant experience, skills, and qualifications – and keep the content concise and easy to read.

    Do I need a cover letter for a catering assistant job?

    Yes, including a cover letter can make all the difference. It allows you to personalise your application and explain why you’re passionate about the role, helping you to stand out to recruiters. Be sure to highlight your enthusiasm for the role and any relevant skills or experience.

    Learn how to prepare your perfect catering assistant CV

    Aspiring catering assistants need a perfectly seasoned CV. At myPerfectCV, we have all the ingredients you need to get started – from professional templates and tailored content to our top recruiter tips. Discover our tried & tested CV builder tool to create your application today.  

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