Post job

Best culinary assistant certifications

The best certifications for a culinary assistant are Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA), Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), and Medical Assistant.

Culinary assistant certifications demonstrate your competency as a culinary assistant to employers. However, not all culinary assistant certifications provide the same value.

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

6 best certifications for culinary assistants

6 best culinary assistant 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.

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? 

2. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)

Train to be a certified nurse assistant working with other health care professionals to provide quality care for elderly or sick individuals in nursing homes and hospitals and at home.

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? 
Certifying website
Certified Nurse Assistant

3. Medical Assistant

The medical assistant job description varies depending on the employer's needs. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional and an asset to a physician.

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 1 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Society of Phlebotomy...

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. 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)

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.

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 organization
Board for Certification of...

What is the best certification for a culinary assistant?

The best culinary assistant 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 culinary assistant 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 certifications can impact a culinary assistant career and salary?

The ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification certification will help you to secure a cook position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A cook's average salary is $27,996 whereas culinary assistants make an average salary of $33,149.

Best certifications

The most common combination of culinary assistant certifications include: Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA), Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), and Medical Assistant.

Online courses for culinary assistants to earn certifications

Advertising disclosure

1. Cooking for Busy Healthy People

coursera

Cooking is one of the most powerful ways in which we can optimize our enjoyment of great quality food while protecting our health. Even on a tight budget, cooking can be a cost-effective, joyful and rewarding way to love the food that will love us back for a lifetime. In this course, you’ll learn some basic recipes from a home cook and two professional chefs who prioritize healthful eating. You’ll also learn some of the fundamentals of principle-based cooking that can help you break free from...

2. Fun food safety and sanitation course

udemy
4.6
(539)

The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...

3. Cook Real Food: How to Make Simple Plant-Based Meals

udemy
4.6
(1,644)

Learn how to cook whole plant foods to make quick, easy, and healthy vegan meals for practical everyday eating...

4. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors

udemy
4.3
(489)

The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...

5. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

udemy
4.4
(976)

Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

6. ISO 22000 (HACCP and PRPs) for Food Safety

udemy
4.4
(618)

Standards, analysis, control points, and risk management related to ISO 22000 for food industry professionals...

7. Customer Service: 6 Keys To Exceptional Customer Service

udemy
4.6
(601)

Master Customer Satisfaction & Astonish Your Customers With A+ Customer Service...

8. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

udemy
4.5
(2,583)

Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

9. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer

udemy
4.7
(18,204)

Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...

10. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives

udemy
4.5
(941)

Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...

11. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

udemy
4.5
(1,881)

Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

12. Customer Service Success: Take Your Skills to the Next Level

udemy
4.5
(2,276)

3-in-1 Customer Service Training: Levels 1, 2, 3 Improve Your Soft Communication Skills, Customer Support & Experience...

13. Successful Events: Event Planning, Marketing & Management

udemy
4.7
(2,141)

Create a single successful event or event-series with effective event promotion, planning, management, and monetization...

14. Your Customer Service Toolbox: Best Practices for Beginners

udemy
4.5
(4,101)

Excel as a front-line customer service agent using problem-solving & relationship-building skills, etiquette, and more...

15. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience

udemy
4.6
(2,666)

Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...

16. [2023] Customer Service 2.0: Learn Digital Customer Service

udemy
4.5
(3,956)

Used by Chase®, Intel®, & more! Learn soft skills, social media customer service, diagnosing user problems, & more...

17. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings

udemy
4.5
(958)

A Brief Safety Management Course for Current and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

18. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service

udemy
4.5
(3,822)

Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...

19. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

udemy
4.4
(478)

OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

20. Occupational Health & Safety Training

udemy
4.4
(1,198)

Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs