how to write an application letter for an eatery work

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3 Restaurant Cover Letter Examples Made for 2024

• Restaurant Cover Letter
• Restaurant General Manager Cover Letter
• Restaurant Host Cover Letter
• Write Your Restaurant Cover Letter

High-level food service is your priority. Whether you’re applying to work on the wait staff or be in a supervisory role, you know you’ll achieve that with your top cleanliness, accuracy, and customer service skills.

Now, let’s set you on the road to writing a great cover letter to complement your restaurant resume and show restaurant hiring managers you’re the best fit for the job.

With so many qualifications, ranging from different types of food prep to understanding how to maintain health code standards, it’s only natural to wonder how to make a cover letter with all those elements included. Our restaurant cover letter examples will help by providing an easy template for success.

Restaurant Cover Letter Example

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Copy this text for your restaurant cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Miami, FL 33101 (123) 456-7890

October 10, 2023

Sophia Anderson The Surf Club Restaurant 123 Fictional Lane Miami, FL 33101

Dear Ms. Anderson,

As a sommelier, my goal is to enrich culinary journeys with the perfect wine, a value The Surf Club Restaurant embodies relentlessly. Reading reviews from food critics extolling your exceptional dining experience appealed to my conviction that your restaurant upholds the values of excellence, in-depth wine knowledge, and hospitality.

The Forge entrusted me with the opportunity to showcase my food and wine pairing prowess. I managed a dynamic menu, advising on pairings that reflected seasonal trends and guests’ preferences. Consequently, we noticed a 27% increase in wine sales.

As head sommelier at Vinya Wine, my role involved creating a diverse wine list featuring handpicked choices from 476 vineyards worldwide. Guests were enthralled by the exquisite union of rare and distinctive vintages, accompanied by enlightening educational sessions that fueled a 41% surge in wine sales.

As a Vinos at the Venetian wine auction’s overseer, I meticulously ensured that all featured wines complied with federal and state regulations. My watchful approach fostered integrity across seven successive events without a single violation.

I’m confident I can enhance the superb atmosphere at The Surf Club Restaurant. I look forward to discussing how my skills fit in your establishment. Thank you for considering my application.

Thiago Rocha

Enclosures: Resume Application 2 letters of recommendation Certifications

Why this cover letter works

• Take your restaurant cover letter introduction a notch higher by linking your passion for the viticulture industry and love for wine with the hiring restaurant’s mission and strides. Also, be sure to mention formal qualifications, such as sommelier certification.

Pair Your Cover Letter with a Matching Restaurant Resume

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Restaurant General Manager Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your restaurant general manager cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Tucson, AZ 85641 (123) 456-7890

Mason Davis Red Lobster 123 Fictional Lane Tucson, AZ 85641

Dear Mr. Davis:

In the bustling heart of a spirited family-owned bistro in Tucson, AZ, I discovered an ever-evolving dance – the riveting world of restaurant management. This intricate ballet of maintaining cost-efficiency while delivering five-star dining experiences has fueled my passion for managing and leading within the food services industry. I bring a rich blend of expertise in labor forecasting, food cost analysis, supply chain optimization, and a dash of familiar Tucson charm to the role of restaurant general manager at Red Lobster.

I have honed a practical, hands-on management style over six dynamic years in restaurant leadership, climaxing in my role as a manager at Tucson’s very own The Parish. I utilized savvy tools like FastCasual and advanced labor forecasting to direct a team of 79, slicing overtime by an impressive 24% and maintaining high service quality. This meticulous management recipe earned us a richly deserved 2019 Best Managed Operations award.

As a seasoned professional in food cost analysis, I significantly improved bottom-line results by a staggering 23% at Wildflower. I optimized the supply-demand balance using software such as PeachWorks and Ctuit, minimizing expenses and waste.

My foray into supply chain optimization was transformative at RA Sushi Bar Restaurant, where we witnessed a substantial 19% reduction in stock-out instances. Employing innovative resources like Posist and forging keen relationships with local suppliers, I revamped our ingredient sourcing protocols, spurring improvements in meal punctuality and skyrocketing customer satisfaction.

These experiences have refined my abilities to adapt quickly, work collaboratively, deliver high-quality results on time, and make meaningful connections. Red Lobster stands out as the next chapter in my journey, where I can continue serving fantastic seafood dining experiences for every guest. Looking forward to detailing how I can contribute to your team. Thank you for considering my application.

Sebastien Martin

• Narrate examples of when your proficiency in hands-on management style, supply chain optimization, food analysis, and/or use of technology (Cue PeachWorks and Posist) fostered an impact in your previous workplaces. In this case, tangible results range from higher customer satisfaction to improved bottom line.

Restaurant Host Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your restaurant host cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Las Vegas, NV 88901 (123) 456-7890

Mia Hernandez Caesars Entertainment 123 Fictional Lane Las Vegas, NV 88901

Dear Ms. Hernandez,

In agreement with the sentiment that a dining experience can be unforgettable, my encounter at Caesars Entertainment embodies this belief. The combination of exquisite cuisine, outstanding service, and a sense of being genuinely valued as a guest touched a nerve with me. Fueled by my passion for crafting these remarkable moments and fortified by my skills in reservation management, and guest seating optimization, I’m thrilled to embark on this opportunity as the restaurant host at Caesars Entertainment.

Amidst the electrifying atmosphere of Vegas’s vibrant nightlife, I honed my reservation management prowess at the trendsetting Cosmopolitan. Skillfully adapting Resy software to oversee multiple reservation platforms, my team and I managed a nightly average of 62 reservations. By pinpointing busy periods and nimbly adjusting our approach, we elevated the filled seat count by 18% during peak times, accelerating turnover while leaving guests delighted with reduced waiting times.

My time at Chart House honed my knack for guest seating optimization as I identified patterns and developed well executed plans for accommodating various group sizes. This strategy, a brainchild I’m incredibly proud of, skyrocketed overall efficiency by a remarkable 22%. I tapped into Waitlist Me’s ingenuity, unlocking the potential of optimized seating arrangements, minimizing empty tables, and keeping turnover flowing smoothly.

Customer relationship management took on a magical quality during my days at the glamorous Eiffel Tower Las Vegas. Seamlessly blending Salesforce and my innate personal charm, my team and I delved into the depths of guest preferences. By tailoring experiences to individual tastes and proactively addressing concerns, we sent guest satisfaction rates soaring by 29%. To me, heartfelt gestures like a genuine smile, an affectionate “enjoy your meal,” or personalized touches make all the difference in making guests feel truly special.

Joining the esteemed ranks at Caesars Entertainment beckons as the next enticing chapter in my journey. I’m exhilarated by the prospect of orchestrating warm welcomes and crafting memories that will last a lifetime for our guests. Let’s discuss how I could be the next face welcoming visitors to your fantastic establishment.

Mateo Flores

• Solidify your piece with key skills like reservation management, guest seat optimization, and adding warmth to customer relations with concrete, weaving in the application of industry-specific software like Resy, Waitlist Me, and Salesforce. Top off this combo with eagerness to discuss your qualifications and contribute to the team.

Related cover letter examples

How to prepare an effective restaurant cover letter.

Preparing a restaurant cover letter is like tailoring your service and cooking style to the needs of each customer. However, when applying to jobs, it’s not quite as simple as asking how someone wants their steak done or which sides they’d like. 

Instead, review what they outline in the job description to understand each company’s needs and customize your cover letter accordingly. For instance, if you were applying to be a cook at a barbecue restaurant, your ability to operate grills, fryers, and broilers would be essential to emphasize in your cover letter. 

Write a tailored greeting and intro for your restaurant cover letter

The first thing to do in your restaurant cover letter is greet the hiring manager by name. You can often find a contact person listed in the restaurant’s job description or on their website. However, if you can’t, simply leading with “Dear [name of restaurant] hiring staff” will work well too. 

The next step is to relate to the restaurant’s mission and the essential skills they’re seeking in the first paragraph. For example, someone applying to be a waiter or waitress could explain how they want to use their customer service skills to help the restaurant achieve great tableside service that creates lasting memories for their guests. 

The example below doesn’t do a great job since the applicant doesn’t greet anyone by name or relate to the restaurant’s specific mission or goals. 

Lacking some details here! 

I was pleased to see your job opening for a kitchen supervisor. This looks like a great restaurant to work for, and I would be eager to use my five years of experience to help out in this role.

Instead, aim for an opener like the one below that shows the applicant’s passion for helping The Surf Club Restaurant achieve a great customer experience with in-depth wine knowledge. 

A great opener relating to company values! 

As a sommelier, I aim to enrich culinary journeys with the perfect wine, a value The Surf Club Restaurant embodies relentlessly. Reading reviews from food critics extolling your exceptional dining experience appealed to my conviction that your restaurant upholds the values of excellence, in-depth wine knowledge, and hospitality.

How to make the body of your restaurant cover letter more impactful

When you get into the body of your restaurant cover letter, it’s time to show how your work experiences and skills will make you successful in the role. 

One of the best ways to do so would be to detail metrics-based achievements that will be important to restaurants. For example, you could write about how you helped boost customer satisfaction ratings or used new cooking techniques to get orders prepared 15% faster. 

You could also focus on transferable skills if you don’t have much restaurant-related experience. For instance, many jobs in other industries will help you build customer service skills or accurate performance while multitasking. 

A great results-based body paragraph! 

Come to a memorable closing of your restaurant cover letter

As you close your restaurant cover letter, making a lasting impression on hiring managers will be important. 

A great way to do so is by relating to the restaurant’s mission and the top skills like kitchen sanitization or tableside service that you emphasized earlier. 

Then, it’s a good idea to thank the hiring manager for their time and end with a light call to action, such as “I look forward to discussing this restaurant host position with you further.”

The closer below doesn’t do a great job since it doesn’t relate to any key details about the restaurant’s mission or the skills they seek. 

Not a strong closer! 

Thank you for reviewing my qualifications. I believe my skills will make me a great fit for your restaurant, and I hope to hear from you soon. 

Jack Thompson

A better option is the closer below that relates to the meaningful connections and collaborative work experience that Red Lobster wants to achieve. 

A closer that’s relevant to the restaurant’s needs! 

These experiences have refined my abilities to adapt quickly, work collaboratively, deliver high-quality results on time, and make meaningful connections. Red Lobster stands out as the next chapter in my journey, where I can continue serving fantastic seafood dining experiences for every guest. I am looking forward to detailing how I can contribute to your team. Thank you for considering my application.

Restaurant Cover Letter Tips

• Whether writing down orders or whipping up expert-level dishes in the kitchen, accurate performance is essential to the customer experience. Therefore, including examples like how you implemented a new order management system using TouchBistro to boost accuracy by 47% will help you stand out.
• Do you know how to provide a great customer experience? Including metrics like customer satisfaction scores or the average reviews your restaurant received will show your personable abilities to create a great dining environment. Not to mention, greeting the hiring manager by name or showing your connection to the restaurant’s mission in your cover letter adds yet another example of how you personalize experiences.
• Sharing your technical skills in restaurant technology, such as POS systems, or how you utilize cooking techniques will also show that you can perform effectively on the job. Review each job description to emphasize essential skills they’re seeking, such as preparing baked goods for a restaurant with an extensive dessert menu.
• Even if you haven’t worked at a restaurant before, you can still add transferable skills to show you have the right abilities. For example, if you worked at a grocery store, you may have picked up some food safety and customer service skills that will transfer well. You could also use achievements from your education, like receiving a great score on a project during a cooking class.
• While you’re probably passionate about adding artistic garnishes to dishes or having great customer interactions, you don’t want to provide too many details that lose a hiring manager’s attention. A one-page restaurant cover letter will be the ideal length. If you’re running long, prompt ChatGPT to condense your cover letter .

You should always submit a cover letter with your resume and application, even if the restaurant lists it as optional. It’ll help you stand out by relating to their mission and the specific customer and food service skills they seek. 

Restaurants are fast-paced, which means hiring managers review applications quickly. Therefore, you should keep your cover letter to a single page. It’ll help emphasize key skills, like food handling and kitchen safety, stand out. 

The best way to optimize the tone of your restaurant cover letter is to try to match the job description’s tone. For instance, if you’re applying to a family-friendly restaurant with an energetic tone, matching that would show how you fit in with their culture. You could even mention how you’ll bring friendly and positive service with a smile while answering all customer questions. 

10 Professional Waitress Cover Letter Examples for 2024

In crafting your waitress cover letter, highlight your exceptional customer service skills. Demonstrate your ability to manage high-pressure situations with grace and efficiency. Showcase your experience with various POS systems and your ability to learn new technologies swiftly. Impress upon the reader your dedication to ensuring a pleasant dining experience for all guests.

All cover letter examples in this guide

Waitress No Experience

Waitress Cashier

Head Waitress

Hostess Waitress

Cocktail Waitress

Bartender Waitress

Bottle Service Waitress

Cover letter guide.

Waitress Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience Waitress Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

By Experience

As you set out to craft your waitress cover letter, the reality hits: it's more than rehashing your resume. You're here, possibly after realizing the job application demands a customized letter that showcases your professional pride without drowning in clichés. Within a concise, one-page narrative, learn to present that standout achievement that defines your service excellence—and do it with a touch of formality that captivates, not bores, your future employer.

• Including all the must-have paragraphs in your structure for an excellent first impression;
• Learning how to write individual sections from industry-leading cover letter examples;
• Selecting the best accomplishment to tell an interesting and authority-building professional story;
• Introducing your profile with personality, while meeting industry standards.

And, if you want to save some time, drag and drop your waitress resume into Enhancv's AI, which will assess your profile and write your job-winning cover letter for you.

If the waitress isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

• Waitress resume guide and example
• Baker cover letter example
• Cook cover letter example
• Fine Dining Bartender cover letter example
• Head Bartender cover letter example
• Chef cover letter example
• Restaurant Manager cover letter example
• Fast Food cover letter example
• Pastry Chef cover letter example
• Head Server cover letter example
• Banquet Bartender cover letter example

Waitress cover letter example

CHARLOTTE JONES

Columbus, Ohio

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Emphasizing relevant experience, such as orchestrating a menu overhaul that shows initiative and a collaborative spirit with kitchen staff, can underscore an applicant's suitability for a leadership role within a restaurant.
• Quantifying achievements with specific metrics, for instance the 25% increase in orders and the reduction in customer wait times, provides tangible evidence of an applicant's impact and capability to enhance the dining experience.
• Demonstrating an understanding of the prospective employer's values, such as their commitment to quality and service, and mirroring that in the cover letter can create a sense of alignment between the applicant's personal ethos and the restaurant's culture.
• Expressing a genuine enthusiasm to grow with the establishment and a desire to contribute positively can signify a proactive and ambitious mindset, which is often sought after for roles in dynamic service environments.

The format of your waitress cover letter: structure, fonts, margins, and more

Your waitress cover letter should include a header (with your name, position, and date); a greeting and introductory paragraph; a body and closing paragraphs; and an optional signature.

Remember that you're writing your waitress cover letter for recruiters - as the Applicant Tracker System won't scan this content.

Here are a few more tips and tricks to keep in mind when formatting your waitress cover letter:

• Use the same font in your waitress cover letter and resume . We recommend modern fonts, e.g. Lato and Rubik, to help you stand out, instead of the stereotypical Arial and Times New Roman.
• Each paragraph should have single spacing, which is already set up for you in our cover letter templates .
• Our cover letter builder follows industry standards for your waitress cover letter formatting - with a one-inch margin, surrounding your content.
• Always export your waitress cover letter in PDF to ensure the image or text quality stays the same and your writing isn't moved about.

The top sections on a waitress cover letter

• Header: Includes the applicant's contact information, the date, and the employer's contact details, which is crucial for ensuring the letter reaches the right person and for potential follow-up correspondence.
• Greeting: It's important to address the hiring manager or restaurant owner by name if possible, as it demonstrates attention to detail and a personalized approach, much like service in the hospitality industry.
• Introduction: In this section, the waitress should clearly state the position she's applying for and express her enthusiasm for the role, which sets the tone for a friendly and engaging cover letter, reflecting the interpersonal skills required for the job.
• Experience and Skills: This part should highlight relevant work history and specific skills like menu knowledge, order accuracy, and superior customer service, which are key to convincing the recruiter of the applicant's suitability for the waitress position.
• Closing and Call to Action: The applicant should end the cover letter by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to apply, reiterating interest in the position, and inviting the recruiter to schedule an interview, showing eagerness and proactivity.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

• Excellent communication skills: Crucial for accurately taking customer orders and effectively communicating with kitchen staff and team members.
• Strong interpersonal skills: Necessary to interact positively with a diverse range of customers, ensuring a pleasant dining experience.
• Proven ability to multitask: Essential in managing multiple tables, remembering order details, and providing timely service during busy shifts.
• Attention to detail: Important for ensuring orders are correct, special dietary requirements are met, and billing is accurate.
• Physical stamina and agility: Required to handle long shifts on foot and carry trays or plates without compromising service speed or customer experience.
• Experience with point-of-sale systems: Beneficial for efficiently processing orders and payments in a modern dining establishment.

How to greet recruiters in your waitress cover letter salutation

As the saying goes, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."

Write your waitress cover letter salutation to be more personalized to the actual hiring manager, who is set to assess your profile by:

• greeting them on a first-name basis, if you have previously communicated with them (e.g. "Dear Sam,");
• using their last name, if you have more formal communication or haven't spoken to them (e.g. "Dear Mr. Harrows" or "Dear Ms. Marshall");
• writing "Dear HR Team" or "Dear Hiring Manager", if you have no clue about who's recruiting for the role.

Search on LinkedIn, Google, or the company website to find information as to the recruiter's name.

In any case, avoid the impersonal "Dear Sir or Madam".

List of salutations you can use

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear [Restaurant Name] Team,
• Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
• Dear [Employer's Title] [Employer's Last Name],
• Dear [Employer's Full Name],
• Dear [Employer's Title and Last Name],

The waitress cover letter intro: aligning your interest with the company culture

You only have one chance at making a memorable first impression on recruiters with your waitress cover letter.

Structure your introduction to be precise and to include no more than two sentences.

Here are some ideas on how to write a job-winning waitress cover letter introduction:

• get creative - show off your personality from the get-go (if this aligns with the company culture);
• focus on your motivation - be specific when you say what gets you excited about this opportunity.

Choosing your best achievement for the middle or body of your waitress cover letter

Now that you have the recruiters' attention, it's time to write the chunkiest bit of your waitress cover letter .

The body consists of three to six paragraphs that focus on one of your achievements.

Use your past success to tell a story of how you obtained your most job-crucial skills and know-how (make sure to back these up with tangible metrics).

Another excellent idea for your waitress cover letter's middle paragraphs is to shine a light on your unique professional value.

Write consistently and make sure to present information that is relevant to the role.

A sincere and original way to end your waitress cover letter

When writing their waitress cover letter, candidates tend to use one of these phrases, "Sincerely yours" or "I look forward to hearing from you".

Both statements show good manners, but your cover letter should end in a more actionable manner .

Write about:

• how you see yourself growing in the role/organization;
• the benefits you would bring about (you'd impress even more with tangible metrics);
• the next steps in the process (provide your availability for interviews).

Keep this in mind when writing your zero experience waitress cover letter

Even though you may not have any professional experience , your waitress cover letter should focus on your value.

As a candidate for the particular role, what sort of skills do you bring about? Perhaps you're an apt leader and communicator, or have the ability to analyze situations from different perspectives.

Select one key achievement from your life, outside work, and narrate a story that sells your abilities in the best light.

If you really can't think of any relevant success, you could also paint the picture of how you see your professional future developing in the next five years, as part of the company.

Key takeaways

Creating your waitress cover letter should be a personalized experience for the role and the recruiter, where you:

• Format your cover letter using the same ATS-friendly font (e.g. Railway) as you did for your resume;
• Greet recruiters, using their name, and follow up with two sentences to introduce yourself, your interest in the role, and to stand out;
• Map out one key success from your career (or life) that has taught you job-crucial skills;
• Substitute your lack of experience with an achievement from your internships, degrees, or volunteering gigs;
• End with a promise for your potential or your availability for an interview.

Waitress cover letter examples

Explore additional waitress cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Cover letter examples by industry

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