Learn to write an excellent food preparation cover letter
Restaurants, manufacturers, and other businesses rely on food preparation professionals to ensure their food items are properly handled and kept after. To earn a position in food preparation, you need to write a cover letter that perfectly conveys your professional qualifications for the role.
In this guide, we will teach you the 5 essential steps for writing a food preparation cover letter. Keep reading to learn all about how to:
- Format your food preparation cover letter header & headline
- Tailor your cover letter for a role in food preparation
- Write an eye-catching introduction on your food prep cover letter
- Show off your professional skills & accomplishments in food prep
- Conclude your food prep cover letter with an effective closing statement
1. Format your food preparation cover letter header & headline
The first key step for writing a food preparation cover letter is to give your letter structure with a well-formatted header and headline.
Begin by creating your cover letter header, which should include:
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information
- The name of the company you are applying to
- The company’s address
Here is an example of a well-formatted food preparation header
Jack Smith, Food Preparation Professional
(123) 456-7890 | jacksmith@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jack-smith
To: Mountain Valley Food Supplies
Food Preparation Department
1234 Street Address
Chattanooga, TN 37405
Once you have made your cover letter header, you will then move on to writing your cover letter headline. This is a brief title statement that includes:
- A keyword related to the position
- An attention-grabbing number or trigger word
- A powerful adjective or verb
- A promise to the employer that the letter is tailored to address their needs
Here is an example of a food preparation headline, followed by a quick breakdown of its main elements
My 3-Step Approach to Precise Food Preparation & How It Can Help Cut Costs at Your Company
Trigger Word/Number: 3-Step Approach
Keyword: Food Preparation
Adjective/Verb: Precise, Cut
Promise: Your Company
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2. Tailor your cover letter for a role in food preparation
Tailoring a cover letter means editing the information to be as specific to not just the job but the company you are applying to as possible.
To tailor a cover letter in this way, you will need to thoroughly research the company before applying. In your research, look for key details such as:
- The company’s values – pay attention to the values and skills used to describe the company and reflect these in your own writing.
- The company’s specializations – most companies will offer some form of specialized service, and by identifying these specializations you can better explain how your qualifications can benefit the company.
- The company’s key staff members – specifically, search for the staff member who will review your cover letter and application so you can create a personalized greeting.
Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings
- Dear Manager Jane Doe,
- Dear Mrs. Jane Doe,
- To Mrs. Jane Doe & the Food Prep Team,
3. Write an eye-catching introduction on your food prep cover letter
With your structural elements in place and your company research handy for tailoring, you can finally begin writing the letter itself – starting with the introduction.
A strong food preparation cover letter introduction will include:
- A brief overview of your professional history and specializations
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible)
Pro Tip: Naming a mutual acquaintance can earn you serious brownie points with an employer. If you do not have a mutual acquaintance or notable professional association, try using LinkedIn to expand your professional network and make meaningful connections you can reference in the future.
Here is an example of an eye-catching food preparation cover letter introduction
Dear Mrs. Jane Doe,
I am a food preparation professional with more than 5 years of experience working in fast-paced restaurants. Recently, I attended a conference on the latest food prep technology and had the pleasure of meeting one of your managers, Mr. John Miller. After asking to see my resume, Mr. Miller strongly recommended I apply for this opening and pointed me in your direction.
4. Show off your professional skills & accomplishments in food prep
It’s time to dive into greater detail about your professional skills and accomplishments as a food preparation professional!
In your body paragraphs, you have the opportunity to showcase your best qualifications that you believe demonstrate why you are a great fit for the job. As such, your descriptions of your skills and accomplishments need to be specific, relevant, contextual, and quantifiable.
Here are 6 examples of food preparation skills to describe in a cover letter
- Knowledge of food preparation equipment
- Proper food storage procedures
- Inventory and supply management
- Coordinating supply deliveries
- Food sanitization standards
- Food distribution
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a food preparation cover letter
As a food preparation specialist at [Former Employer], I was given the key task of finding ways to reduce operational expenses. After identifying an issue in the freezer cooling system and overseeing the repair, I was able to cut back on wasted food by 35%, leading to a 50% decrease in supply expenditures.
5. Conclude your food prep cover letter with an effective closing statement
The fifth and final step for writing a food preparation cover letter is to end with an effective closing statement. This statement should include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- When and how you can be contacted, as well as when you plan to follow up
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of a strong closing statement from a food preparation cover letter
I am so excited to learn more about this opportunity and get to know you and your team better. To best contact me, call me at (123) 456-7890 any weekday between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If I have not heard back by next Friday, I will follow up with you that morning to check on the status of my application.
Appreciatively,
[Applicant Name]
If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.
