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Best chef de cuisine certifications
The best certifications for a chef de cuisine are Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA), Certified Food Manager (CFM), and ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.
Chef de cuisine certifications demonstrate your competency as a chef de cuisine to employers. However, not all chef de cuisine certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best chef de cuisine certifications. Obtaining a chef de cuisine certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
12 best certifications for chef de cuisines
| Rank | Chef de cuisine certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA) | ACF |
| 2 | Certified Food Manager (CFM) | IFSEA, MCFE |
| 3 | ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification | National Rest... |
| 4 | Certified Executive Chef (CEC) | ACF |
| 5 | Food Safety Manager Certification | NRSFP, FSMC |
| 6 | Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) | BCNS |
| 7 | Certified Master Chef (CMC) | ACF |
| 8 | Certified Chef de Cuisine (CCC) | ACF |
| 9 | Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS) | NEHA |
| 10 | Certified Restaurant Server | AHLAEI |
| 11 | Certified Master Pastry Chef (CMPC) | ACF |
| 12 | Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP) | ANFSP |
12 best chef de cuisine certifications
1. Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA)
This certification is for an executive level chef who is responsible for the administrative functions of running a professional food service operation. This culinary professional must demonstrate proficiency in culinary knowledge, human resources, operational management and business planning skills. This position supervises at least 10 fulltime equivalent employees and reports directly to the owner, general manager or corporate office.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
2. Certified Food Manager (CFM)
These certifications test beyond culinary skills, but rather, focus on the skills needed for the food service professional seeking a management and executive career. These certifications test your knowledge from basic cooking to menu design, management, human resources, accounting and marketing.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
3. ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
The ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification is nationally recognized and accredited. ServSafe has always set the standard in food safety training and certification.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
4. Certified Executive Chef (CEC)
A chef who is the department head usually responsible for all culinary units in a restaurant, hotel, club, hospital or foodservice establishment, or the owner of a foodservice operation. A CEC must supervise a minimum of five full-time employees and pass a practical exam in front of peers.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
5. Food Safety Manager Certification
The National Registry's Certified Food Safety Professional examination has been developed following the strictest test development procedures. The Certified Food Safety Manager examination is accredited by the American National Standards Institute using standards set by the Conference for Food Protection.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
6. Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)
Certified Nutrition Specialist professionals are on the front lines battling the epidemic of obesity and chronic disease, and the BCNS supports these efforts and certifies nutrition professionals who maintain the highest standard of nutrition competence.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
7. Certified Master Chef (CMC)
The consummate chef. A CMC possesses the highest degree of professional culinary knowledge, skill and mastery of cooking techniques.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
8. Certified Chef de Cuisine (CCC)
A chef who is the supervisor in charge of food production in a foodservice operation. This could be a single unit of a multi-unit operation or a free-standing operation. A CCC must supervise a minimum of three full-time people in food production.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
9. Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS)
The Certified Professional - Food Safety is for food safety professionals and is designed for individuals within the public and private sectors whose primary responsibility is the protection and safety of food. The exam for this prestigious credential integrates food microbiology, HACCP principles and regulatory requirements into questions that test problem solving skills and knowledge.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
10. Certified Restaurant Server
Today's successful resuarant servers must have effective cost control and sanitation standards as well as expertise, sound judgment, and practical skills. They must keep pace with change, improve their knowledge, and share their experience with others. The Hospitality Skill Certification for Restuarant Servers designation provides recognition for these skills.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
11. Certified Master Pastry Chef (CMPC)
The consummate pastry chef. A CMPC possesses the highest degree of professional culinary knowledge, skill and mastery of cooking techniques as they apply to pastry.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
12. Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP)
A certified dietary manager, certified food protection professional (CDM, CFPP) has the education, training, and experience to competently perform the responsibilities of a dietary manager and has proven this by passing a nationally-recognized credentialing exam and fulfilling the requirements needed to maintain certified status.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
What is the best certification for a chef de cuisine?
The best chef de cuisine certification is Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA). The Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA) is awarded by the American Culinary Federation, Inc. this certification corresponds to a specialty within a recognized occupation.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this chef de cuisine certification:
- To become a certified Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for chef de cuisines?
The most in-demand chef de cuisine certification is ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification based on all active job postings. Having this chef de cuisine certification will give you access to more chef de cuisine jobs with higher salaries.
The most common combination of chef de cuisine certifications include: Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA), Certified Food Manager (CFM), and ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.
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