How do you choose culinary portfolio samples?

1 Know your audience

The first step to choosing your portfolio samples is to know who you are targeting and what they are looking for. Different audiences may have different expectations, preferences, and criteria for evaluating your portfolio. For example, a restaurant owner may want to see your menu design, food cost analysis, and customer feedback, while a culinary school may want to see your teaching philosophy, lesson plans, and student evaluations. Research your audience and tailor your portfolio to their needs and interests.

2 Showcase your range

The second step to choosing your portfolio samples is to showcase your range of skills, styles, and experiences. You want to demonstrate that you are versatile, adaptable, and creative in your culinary work. For example, you can include samples of different cuisines, techniques, and formats that you have mastered, such as fine dining, casual dining, catering, food photography, or food writing. You can also include samples of different projects, roles, and challenges that you have completed, such as opening a new restaurant, managing a team, or developing a new recipe.

3 Highlight your achievements

The third step to choosing your portfolio samples is to highlight your achievements and impact in your culinary work. You want to show that you are not only competent, but also exceptional and valuable in your field. For example, you can include samples of awards, recognitions, or publications that you have received or contributed to, such as competitions, reviews, or magazines. You can also include samples of measurable results, outcomes, or feedback that you have generated or improved, such as sales, profits, ratings, or testimonials.

4 Organize your samples

The fourth step to choosing your portfolio samples is to organize them in a logical and appealing way. You want to make it easy and enjoyable for your audience to browse through your portfolio and find what they are looking for. For example, you can group your samples by category, theme, or chronology, such as cuisine, service, or career progression. You can also use labels, captions, or summaries to provide context and explanation for each sample, such as the name, date, location, and purpose of the work.

5 Update your samples

The fifth step to choosing your portfolio samples is to update them regularly and keep them relevant. You want to show that you are current, active, and passionate about your culinary work. For example, you can add new samples of recent or ongoing projects, such as seasonal menus, special events, or collaborations. You can also remove or replace old or outdated samples that no longer reflect your skills, style, or goals, such as discontinued dishes, closed restaurants, or changed positions.

6 Review your samples

The final step to choosing your portfolio samples is to review them carefully and critically. You want to ensure that your portfolio is professional, polished, and error-free. For example, you can check your samples for quality, consistency, and accuracy, such as the appearance, taste, and presentation of your food, the format, style, and grammar of your documents, or the clarity, relevance, and credibility of your information. You can also ask for feedback from peers, mentors, or experts in your field to improve your portfolio and address any gaps or weaknesses.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?