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Best culinary arts instructor certifications

Culinary arts instructor certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an culinary arts instructor to employers. However, not all culinary arts instructor certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a culinary arts instructor are ServSafe Alcohol, ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification, and Food Safety Manager Certification.

Below is a list of the best culinary arts instructor certifications. Obtaining an culinary arts instructor certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

9 best culinary arts instructor certifications

1. ServSafe Alcohol

The ServSafe Alcohol program outlines effective responsible alcohol service practices for all front-of-the-house staff, including bartenders, waiters, hosts, busers, security and valets.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying website
ServSafe Alcohol

2. 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.

Certification details
  • 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)

3. 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.

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying organization
National Registry of Food...
Course that help you to prepare for certification
Fun food safety and sanitation course
udemy
4.6
(539)

4. 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.

Certification details
  • 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)

5. 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.

Certification details
  • 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)

6. 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.

Certification details
  • 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? 

7. Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences (CFCS-HDFS)

The AAFCS Certification Program is designed to assure the public that credentialed family and consumer sciences professionals have attained a threshold level of knowledge that enables them to perform services as defined by the mission of the profession, foster excellence in the family and consumer sciences profession and develop criteria for assessing such excellence, and promote professional growth of individuals certified in family and consumer sciences by encouraging a systematic program of professional development and continuing education.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying website
Certified in Family and...
Certifying organization
American Association of Family...

8. Instructor

A NAUI Instructor is a person dedicated to the motto of "Dive Safety Through Education"; a person whom others look to for leadership and knowledge. NAUI has always been and remains today the most prestigious agency focusing on diving instruction. You can share the adventure - and help create it! If you believe your work should be enjoyable and exciting, if you are eager to share your knowledge with others, if you believe that to train the best you must be among the best trained, join the finest. Join the adventure!

Certification details
  • 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? No

9. Certified Culinary Educator (CCE)

An advanced-degree culinary professional who is working as an educator in an accredited postsecondary institution or military training facility. A CCE is responsible for the development, implementation, administration, evaluation and maintenance of a culinary arts or foodservice management curriculum. In addition, a CCE must possess superior culinary experience equivalent to a CCC or CWPC.

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying website
Certified Culinary Educator
Certifying organization
American Culinary Federation, Inc.

What is the best certification for a culinary arts instructor?

The best culinary arts instructor certification is ServSafe Alcohol. The ServSafe Alcohol is awarded by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this culinary arts instructor certification:

  • To become a certified ServSafe Alcohol, you need to pass the exam.
  • Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 3 year.

What are some of the most in-demand certifications for culinary arts instructors?

The most in-demand culinary arts instructor certification is Instructor based on all active job postings. Having this culinary arts instructor certification will give you access to more culinary arts instructor jobs with higher salaries.

What certifications can impact a culinary arts instructor career and salary?

The ServSafe Alcohol certification will help you to secure a food service director position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A food service director's average salary is $58,953 whereas culinary arts instructors make an average salary of $45,296.

Best certifications

The most common combination of culinary arts instructor certifications include: ServSafe Alcohol, ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification, and Food Safety Manager Certification.

Online courses for culinary arts instructors to earn certifications

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