You’re starting a culinary career. What are some ways to build a strong portfolio?

If you’re starting a culinary career, you might wonder how to showcase your skills and creativity to potential employers or clients. A strong portfolio can help you stand out from the crowd and demonstrate your passion, talent, and versatility. Here are some ways to build a portfolio that reflects your unique culinary style and vision.

1 Choose your format

Your portfolio can be a physical binder, a digital file, or a website. Each format has its pros and cons, so you should consider your goals, budget, and preferences. A physical portfolio can be more personal and tactile, but it can also be bulky and costly to update. A digital portfolio can be more convenient and accessible, but it can also be less memorable and vulnerable to technical issues. A website can be more professional and interactive, but it can also require more maintenance and design skills.

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Melissa Day, PMP®

Communications | Marketing | Creative | Events
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A great way to display your work is through social media. Instagram is a great platform for photos and a great way to keep your portfolio robust. Start a new account that separates personal and professional posts. Naming the account is important, too, so be mindful when choosing a good name. Be creative with your descriptions and take photos from all angles. Having a social account also helps with the longevity of cooking, improved skills, and unique dishes.

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2 Select your work samples

Your portfolio should include a variety of work samples that showcase your culinary skills, creativity, and range. You can include photos, videos, recipes, menus, reviews, testimonials, awards, or certificates. You should choose work samples that are relevant, recent, and impressive. You should also consider the quality, quantity, and diversity of your work samples. You don’t want to overload your portfolio with too many or too similar items, but you also don’t want to leave out any important or unique aspects of your work.

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Melissa Day, PMP®

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Writing a good resume with awards and certificates is a good way to promote yourself. A video introduction is also a good and different way to promote yourself. You can always add videos to your social account and keep everything in one place. If you use a social channel for your portfolio, be mindful of the diversity. One post with several of the same type of dish is better than several individual posts.

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3 Organize your portfolio

Your portfolio should be easy to navigate and understand. You should organize your portfolio in a logical and coherent way, using categories, labels, captions, or summaries. You should also use a consistent and appealing layout, font, color, and style. You should make sure your portfolio is clear, concise, and error-free. You should also update your portfolio regularly, adding new work samples and removing outdated or irrelevant ones.

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4 Highlight your strengths

Your portfolio should highlight your strengths and achievements as a culinary professional. You should emphasize your unique selling points, such as your signature dishes, your special techniques, your niche markets, or your awards. You should also showcase your personality, passion, and vision as a chef. You should use your portfolio as a tool to tell your story and express your values, goals, and aspirations.

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5 Get feedback

Your portfolio should be reviewed and refined by others before you present it to your target audience. You should get feedback from trusted sources, such as mentors, peers, or experts. You should ask for constructive criticism, suggestions, and compliments. You should also compare your portfolio with others in your field and see how you can improve or differentiate yourself. You should use feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow as a culinary professional.

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Melissa Day, PMP®

Communications | Marketing | Creative | Events
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Just like printed materials, social pages are your loudest ambassadors. Have someone—a friend, colleague, or professional—look through and analyze your account. What do they see? Is your story being represented the way you want it to be?

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6 Share your portfolio

Your portfolio should be shared with potential employers or clients who are interested in your culinary services. You should tailor your portfolio to suit the needs and expectations of each audience. You should also prepare to explain and elaborate on your portfolio during interviews or meetings. You should use your portfolio as a conversation starter and a confidence booster. You should also promote your portfolio through social media, blogs, or newsletters to reach a wider audience and build your reputation.

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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?

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Melissa Day, PMP®

Communications | Marketing | Creative | Events
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Our restaurant, Malted Grains, is now closed, but we keep our social accounts open to show potential clients and customers what we did to succeed. We didn't edit the accounts, so it's a natural progression of our story. From opening day to huge community events and catering to adapting through a worldwide pandemic, anyone can see our changes and growth.

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You’re starting a culinary career. What are some ways to build a strong portfolio?

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1 Choose your format

2 Select your work samples

3 Organize your portfolio

4 Highlight your strengths

5 Get feedback

6 Share your portfolio

7 Here’s what else to consider

Culinary Education

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You’re starting a culinary career. What are some ways to build a strong portfolio?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Choose your format

2 Select your work samples

3 Organize your portfolio

4 Highlight your strengths

5 Get feedback

6 Share your portfolio

7 Here’s what else to consider

Culinary Education

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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