How to Feature Your Culinary Skills on Your FA Resume & Cover Letter

Calling all aspiring in-flight culinary artists! To pull off preparing mouthwatering meals at 30,000 feet, you need to be a master of stocking, cost management, supplier coordination, timing, temperature control, and plating like a pro in a tiny galley. While these skills are usually expected by corporate aviation employers, they might not always be listed in job descriptions. That's why it's crucial to show off your culinary wizardry on your flight attendant resume, so you can spice up your brand and stand out from the competition.

Here at BizJetJobs, we believe highlighting your culinary chops on your resume is a piece of cake compared to all the hard work you've done as a flight attendant!

We've found that Members at BizJetJobs.com who highlight their culinary skills end up with more interviews and better jobs. Even if you're making the transition from a commercial airline or have just finished flight attendant school, you likely have some culinary skills employers will appreciate.

You might think your experience in the sky speaks for itself, but don't forget that learning never ends. It's impressive to talk about those challenging passengers you charmed and customer service crises you conquered. But to keep your skills fresh, you should always be seeking out cooking classes, cookbooks, and culinary tips from fellow pros in the industry. And in today's job market, it's critical to showcase your ongoing growth and education on your resume. Plus, highlighting your culinary prowess shows that you're not just punching the clock, but truly passionate about your craft. So get cooking and let your skills sizzle!

At BizJetJobs.com, our employers tell us time and again that their cabin crew is a reflection of their company, and a continuation of their brand. Says one, "When it comes to hiring, I'm pretty selective. After all, whoever I bring on board is going to be the face of my company up in the sky. So, I always look closely at applicants' resumes and cover letters before inviting them in for a chat. If they've sent a professional resume that shows in-flight culinary background combined with experience in real-world situations they will encounter while flying with me, I know they deserve a call."

When in hiring mode, employers are screening resumes for things like: background in the culinary arts, Food Safety, Beverage Selection/Management, Menu Planning, and Presentation. Here are some simple ways we've found to use all sections of your flight attendant resume to highlight your culinary background.

Specialized Training Section of Resume

After your personal contact information, your professional flight attendant resume should begin with the most important 3 sections, which are very brief and to-the-point: 1) the "Objective" statement 2) a "Qualifications" section (a list of passports, certifications, languages spoken etc.) and 3) "Specialized Training." The Specialized Training section includes all of your emergency and recurrent crewmember training, and is a great place to list any In-flight Catering and Cabin Service courses including year taken, like this:

Specialized Training

CAPS Recurrent Emergency Crewmember Training (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)

Recurrent Evacuation Crewmember Training: GV-SP/G500/G550 (2011, 2012, 2014)

Self Defense Training, Fire Safety and Firefighting Control, Emergency Evacuation, Ditching, Accidents Incidents (2013)

ServeSafe Certification (2015)

In-Flight Catering and Cabin Service (2015)

Experience Section of Resume

The experience section of your resume is your opportunity to feature the relevant details of positions you have held, from most recent to oldest. Don't just send a list of job titles, dates, and generic descriptions like everyone else. This is your chance to really showcase your experience and skills. Include a value-added description of what you did. How did you add value to the operation? What did you do that no one else could do? Be sure to focus on things your potential new employer will care about. These might include:

how you impacted the bottom line / saved money
how your skills made a difference in customer experience
positive feedback you received from employers and clients (include quotes, testimonials, or contact information of anyone willing to act as a reference)
how you enhanced your employer's reputation

Think about your past positions both as a flight attendant and in other roles, and how they showcase your culinary skills. Consider non-aviation jobs you have held in customer service, and any previous positions that involve culinary, like working as a barista, cook, waitress, in catering, or as a chef. Here are some examples of well-worded job descriptions that showcase culinary skills:

Maintained interior of three aircraft, including cleaning, stocking, and general upkeep, both in home airport and abroad, where resources were limited.
Built worldwide network of contacts (FBOs, caterers, driving services) to ensure smooth arrivals and departures and adapt to destination changes.
Improved passenger in-flight culinary experience to rave reviews while cutting food-related costs
Exceeded job functions and delighted owner and family by preparing meals at their residence during long-term trips.

Education & Training Section of Resume The Education & Training Section of your resume is usually pretty straightforward, listing the degrees you hold and dates obtained. Some flight attendants already have experience as chefs. Others gain it through culinary training. If you lack formal training beyond flight attendant school, consider a specialized multi- or one-day course for flight attendants in advanced culinary skills, from saucing techniques to menu planning.

Awards/Achievements, Affiliations or Personal Strengths/Interests If your culinary experience or expertise does not fit into the traditional Experience or Education buckets on your resume, consider adding an Awards/Achievements, Affiliations, or Personal Strengths/Interests section at the very bottom of your resume. For example:

Affiliations: International Association of Culinary Professionals
Awards/Achievements: Employee of the Month: recognized for culinary excellence
Personal Interests: Cooking, cuisine, and wine aficionado: cooked with Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's Hotel, London

Food is a personal thing and a unique way to sell yourself to employers. When an employer calls for help screening resumes or posting a job, culinary skills are often at the top of their list of must-haves.