- What should your restaurant cover letter include?
- What can you write in the introduction of your restaurant cover letter?
- What should be mentioned in the cover letter body for a restaurant vacancy?
- How to write a cover letter closing
Wondering how to write a standout restaurant cover letter? You just need the right ingredients. Discover how to prepare a great restaurant cover letter with our step-by-step writing guide and cover letter example to position yourself as the best fit for the job!
When applying for jobs in the restaurant industry, a well-written cover letter can set your application apart. Your restaurant cover letter should showcase your commitment to quality service and your ability to work on a team in a fast-paced environment. With the right cover letter, you can make a hiring manager hungry to learn more about your hospitality skills and experience.
This comprehensive guide and corresponding restaurant cover letter example will answer the following questions:
What should your restaurant cover letter include?
How can you open your cover letter?
What information should you include in the body?
How can you close your cover letter?
What should your restaurant cover letter include?
Like an expertly plated dish, your restaurant cover letter should be detailed, thoughtful, and precise. It should contain certain staple elements to whet a hiring manager’s appetite.
Begin your cover letter with a header that includes your contact information and the details of the restaurant where you’re applying. Below your header, write a greeting to the recruiter or restaurant manager. For more tips, read our article on how to choose a cover letter salutation.
Other elements of your restaurant cover letter should include an introduction, a body, and a closing. We’ll discuss each part in more detail below.
What can you write in the introduction of your restaurant cover letter?
The first bite of a dish should leave a customer wanting more. The introduction of your cover letter needs to do the same. It should make an impression and entice the hiring manager to continue reading.
In the first paragraph, hook the reader with an impressive achievement or anecdote about your restaurant experience. You might describe a time when you delivered exceptional service to a customer or discuss your experience with food handling and preparation. Tailor this paragraph to the restaurant, showing an employer how you can add value to their kitchen staff or front-of-house team.
Your cover letter introduction should also express your excitement about the role. Mention specific details about the restaurant, such as its mission, to show why you’re a great fit.
Dear Mr. Alex Carter
In my search for a new challenge where I can leverage my experience in restaurant management, I was pleased to find Gourmet Bistro opening for a restaurant manager. Eager to learn more about this exciting opportunity, I have enclosed my resume for your review.
What should be mentioned in the cover letter body for a restaurant vacancy?
Think of your restaurant cover letter body as the meaty main course. It should contain relevant information about your skills and experience in the hospitality industry.
Aim to answer these three questions in your cover letter body:
Why you? Discuss your restaurant experience, including the positions you’ve held and relevant training you’ve completed. If you have a certification, such as a ServSafe credential, mention this in your cover letter body. Include quantifiable achievements, such as reducing food waste or improving customer satisfaction scores. Emphasize your unique selling points (USPs) as a restaurant employee, whether it’s creating new menu items or delivering quality service.
Why here? Explain why you’re interested in working at that restaurant. Be specific about your reasons for applying. For example, the restaurant may have a focus on farm-to-table ingredients or a service philosophy that matches your own. Restaurants traditionally have high turnover rates, so hiring managers often look for candidates who seem genuinely excited about working there.
Why now? Share why you’re choosing to apply for the restaurant job at this point in your career. Do you want to advance into a management position, or specialize in a type of cuisine? Describe how your previous restaurant experience has led you to this new opportunity. Show a hiring manager how the job fits into your long-term career goals.
- Highlight your relevant experience. Focus on skills that directly apply to the role, such as food safety, kitchen operations, or customer service.
- Send a generic cover letter to multiple restaurants. Customize each letter to show that you’ve done your research and understand a restaurant’s unique needs.
For more guidance, check out our blog on what you should write in a cover letter body.
As my career profile illustrates, I am ready to make an immediate and longstanding contribution to Gourmet Bistro. Having served as a General Manager within the hospitality industry, my skill set is well suited to your needs. I know what it takes to balance competing tasks, adapt to shifting priorities, and proactively address emergent issues. Additionally, my talents in communication and relationship building will enable me to seamlessly integrate with your team and provide exceptional service to your customers.
Further, a few notable contributions I have made include:
Achieved an 18% revenue increase through strategic menu and pricing adjustments.
Reduced food waste by 15% via revamped inventory processes.
Expanded the business by identifying growth opportunities and establishing two new branches.
How to write a cover letter closing
Your restaurant cover letter closing is the dessert after a perfect meal. It should leave a lasting impression on the hiring manager and make them excited to contact you for an interview.
Follow these tips to close your restaurant cover letter on a strong note:
Align your skills with the role. Explain how your skills and experience can make you an asset to the restaurant: “With my passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences, I’m confident I will make a positive addition to your front-of-house operations.”
End with a call to action. Encourage the hiring manager to move forward with your application: “I would love the opportunity to speak with you further about how my experience aligns with your restaurant’s needs.”
Get more tips with our article on how to close a cover letter.
In me, Gourmet Bistro will gain a diligent, goal-oriented professional with the agility, dedication, and focus required to successfully fill the role of restaurant manager. As such, I would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss this opening in detail.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Jamie Reynolds
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