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Cover letter example

Commis chef cover letter example

For a commis position, the chef wants reassurance that you are reliable, that you know the basics and that you are there to learn. Mention their cuisine, your training, the stations you have worked and your availability.

A short, modest letter that offers a trial shift is the best approach.

Cover letter example

Replace the parts in brackets with your own details.

Subject: Application for Commis Chef position, [Restaurant name]

Dear Chef [Name],

I am applying for the commis chef position at [Restaurant name]. I have read about your work with small producers and your vegetable-focused menu, and I would like to learn in a kitchen where preparation and produce are at the heart of the cooking.

I completed my CAP Cuisine at [School] last year, with placements at [Bistro] and at the restaurant of [Hotel] in [City]. Since then I have worked as a commis at [Restaurant], mainly on the cold station. Every morning I prepare the mise en place from the prep list: vegetable cuts, dressings, herbs, portioned fish. During service I plate the starters and desserts and keep my station clean and stocked. For the past few months I have also covered the grill when the chef de partie is off.

I am rigorous with labelling and hygiene, and I take instructions seriously. I want to keep learning techniques, especially vegetable cooking and sauces, and I think your kitchen would help me progress.

Split shifts and weekends are not a problem for me, and I can come in for a trial day to show you my cuts and my mise en place.

Kind regards,[First Name Last Name][Phone] | [Email]

What to highlight

  • Your training and placements
  • Your prep and knife skills
  • Stations you have worked on
  • What you want to learn in their kitchen
  • Availability for split shifts and weekends

Mistakes to avoid

  • Overstating your experience or skills.
  • Writing a long letter about your love of cooking with no concrete detail.
  • Asking about days off and pay in the letter itself.
  • Ignoring the restaurant's cuisine.

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Frequently asked questions

Should I say which station I want to work on?

Present it as a wish, not a condition. A new commis is usually placed where the kitchen needs help, often the cold station or the vegetable prep first. Saying that you would like to learn sauces or pastry in time shows ambition, as long as you also make clear you will take whichever station the chef gives you.

How do I apply without experience?

Mention any training, placements or food-related jobs, even washing up in a restaurant. Show you understand the kitchen hierarchy and the role of a commis. Chefs value attitude and reliability as much as experience, so explain why you want to learn in their kitchen.

Should I write in French?

If the kitchen works in French, which is the case in most French restaurants, a letter in French shows you can understand instructions. If your French is limited, write a short, correct letter in French and mention your level honestly. International hotel kitchens may accept English.

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