Catering assistant CV example
Showcase your teamwork, service skills, and adaptability with a strong catering assistant CV. Use our compelling guide to take your next step in the hospitality industry.
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A catering assistant plays an integral role in any kitchen environment, contributing to the smooth running of catering services. Whether you’re managing multiple dishes, from starters to desserts, or coordinating a busy kitchen prep area, you’ll need a variety of skills to ensure efficiency and quality.
To stand out in this fast-paced industry, use our catering assistant CV examples to showcase your ability to multitask, work under pressure, and support chefs and kitchen staff in delivering exceptional dining experiences. Then, follow our guide to learn tips and tricks for creating a compelling job application that helps you stand out in the hospitality industry.
Keep reading for:
- Sample catering assistant CV
- Catering assistant CV templates
- The best format for your catering assistant CV
- How to write an effective CV for a catering assistant
- Top dos and don’ts for catering assistant CV writing
- Your catering assistant questions answered
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Sample catering assistant CV
Mark Rice
52 Park Row
Edinburgh EH2 0YR
07912 345678
mark.rice@example-example.co.uk
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Hardworking Catering Assistant with experience in maintaining high standards of service and production within the kitchen and other food areas. Professional, organised, detail-oriented, and reliable with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Highly skilled in kitchen inventory management and station organisation to foster efficiency.
WORK HISTORY
Catering Assistant | 01/2027 – Current
Edinburgh East Primary School – Edinburgh
- Followed set work according to recipe, menu, schedule, or instructions.
- Prepared dishes for catering events or during high-volume shifts.
- Recorded, monitored, and maintained optimal and required food temperatures through kitchen, restaurant, and storage areas.
- Monitored multiple databases to keep track of all company inventory.
- Used kitchen equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the school canteen safety protocols.
Catering Assistant | 08/2013 – 12/2016
Buffet Buffet – Edinburgh
- Adhered to company quality constraints and industry best practices to ensure guest satisfaction.
- Used kitchen equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions and company safety protocols.
- Utilised culinary and cutlery tools to prepare various foods for cooking or cold dish presentations.
- Cleaned and sanitised dishes and utensils, consistently keeping adequate supplies on hand for expected customer loads.
- Organised, arranged, and re-stocked various stations, including buffet, salad bar, and service area.
SKILLS
- Basic food hygiene certifications
- Customer care
- Written and oral communication
- Food preparation techniques
- Food storage safety
- Inventory monitoring
- Kitchen station organisation
- Consistent presentations
EDUCATION
Edinburgh City College – Edinburgh, NVQ Level 2
Food Preparation and Service, 2013
Edinburgh City College – Edinburgh, A-Levels
Maths, English, Biology, 2011
Edinburgh Academy – Edinburgh, GCSE
2009
Catering assistant CV templates
Learn how catering assistants demonstrate their organisation and cooking skills with our CV templates. Build your CV in minutes with our easy-to-use tools and tips, and get your CV in front of recruiters as fast as evening dinner service!
The best format for your catering assistant CV
Catering assistants need to show that they can work quickly, follow instructions, and keep things running smoothly in a busy kitchen. The format you choose for your CV can help communicate these strengths at first glance. There are two main CV formats to consider: chronological and skills-based.
The chronological format works best for candidates with a steady work history. It presents your roles in reverse order, allowing employers to see your most recent experience first. This format highlights your reliability, career progression, and commitment – all important qualities in the fast-paced hospitality industry.
The skills-based format, on the other hand, is a good choice if you’re new to the hospitality industry, changing careers, or returning after a break. It allows you to group transferable skills, such as teamwork, time management, and hygiene awareness, under key skill categories rather than by job title.
Remember that presentation is also important. Your layout should reflect your organisation and professionalism. Here are some job-specific formatting tips you can follow:
- Use a simple font such as Arial or Tahoma for ease of reading.
- Stick to a one-page format if you’re early in your career – focus on clarity.
- Include any food hygiene or allergen awareness certificates.
- Use action-based bullet points to describe kitchen duties (for example, “Prepared ingredients for service” or “Maintained clean prep areas”).
- Ensure consistent spacing to reflect neatness – a cluttered CV can signal carelessness.
How to write an effective CV for a catering assistant
In this section, we’ll guide you through what to include in each part of your CV – with tips and examples to make every word count.
- Adding contact details to your catering assistant CV
- Writing your catering assistant CV’s personal statement
- Adding an experience section to your catering assistant CV
- Top skills for your catering assistant CV
- Outlining education on a catering assistant CV
Adding contact details to your catering assistant CV
The first element you want positioned at the top of the page is your contact section. Keep your information simple and professional. Include your full name, phone number, email, and location (just the city or region is enough). Make sure your email address is appropriate, easy to read, and professional.
Example of a contact section for a catering assistant CV
Brett Hawkins
53 Church Way
Sheffield S1 9TH
07912 345678
brett.h@example.co.uk
Writing your catering assistant CV’s personal statement
As a catering assistant, your personal statement should show that you’re reliable, efficient, and ready to support kitchen operations under pressure. Use this section to highlight your food preparation skills, hygiene knowledge, and ability to thrive in a busy environment. Whether you have years of experience or are just starting out, be sure to reflect your work ethic and team spirit.
Example of personal statement for a catering assistant CV
Hardworking and enthusiastic catering assistant with 3+ years of experience supporting fast-paced kitchens in schools and corporate catering. Skilled in basic food preparation, maintaining hygiene standards, and assisting chefs during busy periods. Known for reliability, cleanliness and a positive attitude to working as part of a team. Looking to join a well-organised catering team where I can continue to deliver high standards and contribute to a smoothly running kitchen.
OR
Motivated and dependable individual with a strong interest in hospitality and a proven ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment. Recently completed a hospitality training course and eager to apply food preparation, hygiene, and customer service skills in a professional environment. Known for being punctual, quick to learn, and a supportive team player.
Adding an experience section to your catering assistant CV
Your work experience section is one of the most important parts of your catering assistant CV. It’s where you can demonstrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple tasks, and work effectively as part of a team. When writing this section, it’s important to focus on the skills you’ve developed, particularly those related to food preparation, hygiene, customer service, and teamwork.
Start by listing your most recent roles and then work backwards. For each position, include:
- Your job title, the name of the company, and how long you worked there
- Specific duties such as preparing food, serving customers, or maintaining cleanliness
- How you’ve used your skills (such as multitasking in a busy environment, following health and safety regulations, and managing stock)
- Any achievements or recognition (such as employee of the month, contribution to improving customer satisfaction)
- Working with chefs and kitchen staff to ensure a smooth service
Example of work experience for a catering assistant CV
Catering Assistant (January 2022 – March 2025)
The Gourmet Kitchen, London
- Assisted in the preparation and serving of food in a fast paced catering environment, maintaining high standards of hygiene and food safety.
- Ensured all food is served to customer specifications and dietary requirements, providing excellent customer service.
- Managed stock levels, ensuring all items are replenished and stored correctly to avoid waste.
- Liaised closely with kitchen staff to ensure timely delivery of orders and quality control of all food served.
Top skills for your catering assistant CV
As a catering assistant, your CV skills should demonstrate your ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while providing excellent service and maintaining high standards of food preparation. Your CV should highlight a blend of practical skills, customer service expertise, and teamwork.
Essential skills for a catering assistant
- Knowledge of food safety: Understanding of hygiene standards, food storage, and allergen management to ensure food safety.
- Organisational skills: Ability to maintain cleanliness, order supplies, and ensure the kitchen runs smoothly during service.
- Multi-tasking: Ability to multitask, especially in high-pressure environments such as busy kitchen preparation areas.
- Attention to detail: Ensuring food is prepared to specification and presentation is to standard.
- Physical stamina: The ability to stand for long periods of time, lift heavy objects, and maintain energy in a physically demanding role.
Desirable skills to set you apart
- Customer service skills: Interacting with customers and clients to ensure they have an enjoyable dining experience.
- Teamwork: Ability to work effectively with chefs, kitchen staff, and other catering assistants to deliver service.
- Time management: Ability to prioritise tasks to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality food within tight timeframes.
- Problem-solving skills: The ability to deal quickly and effectively with any problems that may arise without disrupting service.
- Adaptability: Being flexible and able to adapt to changes in the kitchen environment or customer requirements.
Outlining education on a catering assistant CV
When outlining your education on a catering assistant CV, it’s important to highlight any qualifications relating to food safety, hygiene, or customer service. These certifications demonstrate your readiness for the role and show that you’re committed to providing a quality service. Even if you don’t have formal catering training, you can include any relevant courses or training programmes, such as food handling or hospitality training.
Make sure you list your qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent one. If you don’t have formal qualifications, highlight your practical experience and transferable skills that can enhance your effectiveness in a catering role.
Example of education for a catering assistant CV
City College Hospitality & Catering Program (2022)
Certificate in Food Safety & Hygiene Level 2
- Gained practical knowledge in food preparation, kitchen hygiene, and customer service.
Online Catering Assistant Course (2021)
Completion of Online Food Handling & Safety Training
- Acquired knowledge on food handling practices and safe kitchen operations.
High School Diploma – City High School (2020)
- Emphasised coursework in hospitality and team collaboration skills.
Top dos and don’ts for catering assistant CV writing
DO
DO quantify your success
Facts and figures are a great way to make your application stand out from the crowd. Always include numbers from past positions, such as the number of customers you served on an average shift or the value of tips you received. Showing these numbers will make it easy for a recruiter to quantify your success and imagine the impact you’ll have in your next role.
DO use a clear CV structure
Facts and figures are a great way to make your application stand out from the crowd. Always include numbers from past positions, such as the number of customers you served on an average shift or the value of tips you received. Showing these numbers will make it easy for a recruiter to quantify your success and imagine the impact you’ll have in your next role.
DON’T
DON’T focus only on your skills
Don’t just focus on your catering skills – make sure to include examples of how you assist others, too. Whether you’ve supported senior team members in the past or have helped staff an event, this experience will show recruiters that you can follow instructions and work effectively as part of a team.
DON’T forget to proofread and edit
One of the most important steps in creating a flawless CV is editing and proofreading. Once you’ve created your catering assistant CV, take the time to read it over and check it for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. A CV with mistakes can create a negative impression, even if you have excellent qualifications.
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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