Build a culinary portfolio
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A career as a chef will bring a strong, stable and rewarding career with international opportunities. Cooks and chefs are in strong demand all over the world to work in venues such as resorts, hotels, cruise ships, pubs, restaurants, cafes and reception venues. But how do aspiring chefs without experience break into the industry? Stand out from the crowd at a job interview with pre-existing training and a professional portfolio that showcases you as a person with initiative and self-motivation who understands the language of the kitchen and is ready for work, right now!
What is a portfolio?
A ‘Portfolio’ is a collection of evidence that showcases your skills, your knowledge, your positive attitude and your passion for cookery. Your portfolio is presented to a potential employer before or at the job interview. This shows you a well-prepared, well-educated and ready for work.
Why do you need a portfolio?
Why? Because employers don’t just hire based on where you’re from or what qualifications you have. They hire based on potential, attitude, and proof of ability. And a well-built culinary portfolio gives them that proof.
When an employer sees a culinary portfolio, they immediately think:
“This person is different. This person is well prepared.”
A portfolio will include
A strong resume
- Basic details about yourself.
- Your content details
- Your work experience, even if it is not in the hospitality or cooking fields.
- Your education and certificates
- Your skills and knowledge
Education, training and certificates
Include a list and certificates for your basic school education achievements, as well as any extra courses you have completed, such as the culinary courses offered online by Culinary Solutions Academy, first aid courses, safety courses, teamwork courses or any other courses that showcase your existing education and are relevant to the job you are applying for.
Photos
Photos of food that you have prepared in any work situation or even at home. You just need about 6 good photos that show you take cooking seriously and are very eager to start a professorial career as a cook. Make sure these are good photos and that the food looks good and is well presented on a plate, as you would do in a restaurant. Make sure you are in the photo to show that the photo is real, make sure you are clean, wearing an apron and are well presented. Do not take photos from the internet, that will make you a liar, and you will not get the job.
A skills list
A brief list of skills that you already have, be realistic and don’t say you are a super chef already if you don’t have any experience. But you may have some experience or knowledge that you have implemented from the Culinary Solutions Academy courses, such as food safety skills, knife skills, some basic cooking skills, cleaning skills, communication skills and teamwork skills.
Personal statement
Write a few sentences or a short paragraph on why you want to be a chef, your career goals and how you are willing to work, learn and be part of a culinary team. Keep it short, resist the urge to make a big, long statement that does not say much except for general statements, make it personal, this is about you and not just some nice statements.
References
If you have any references from people that you have worked for, or even good teamwork references from your sports team, then include that person, the organisation and their contact details here. Employers value reliability and character just as much as skill.
How to Present Your Portfolio
In person - Present your portfolio in a plastic folder with plastic sleeves, showing all the pages. Take it with you to the job interview and present it by saying that your Portfolio summarizes and expands on the information in your application.
Online – Place all that information in one well presented pdf document that can be attached to an application or emails with an application.
Tips
- Your portfolio must be really well presented with headings, subheadings and well-spaced.
- Have a cover page with your name and the title of Culinary Portfolio
- Have a friend look over your document to make sure that it makes sense and has no spelling mistakes
- Keep it short and to the point, keep is business like and do not make it really big by saying things that you do not need.
- Make sure the photos are of good quality and your own.
- Don’t lie, just be yourself and be honest, because the interviewer will probably ask you questions based on your portfolio.
Start now
- You don’t need to wait for the perfect job or opportunity.
- You can start building your culinary portfolio right now.
- Your effort will build you an advantage
Take the next step
If you’re serious about becoming a chef and working internationally, start building your skills today. Culinary Solutions Academy offers 40 online culinary courses designed to help you:
- Learn essential kitchen skills
- Understand food safety and professional standards
- Build knowledge employers are looking for
- Strengthen your culinary portfolio
- Start learning, start building, and start moving toward your global culinary career.
