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Best personal chef certifications
Personal chef certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an personal chef to employers. However, not all personal chef certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a personal chef are Food Safety Manager Certification, Certified Food Manager (CFM), and Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS).
Below is a list of the best personal chef certifications. Obtaining an personal chef certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
10 best certifications for personal chefs
| Rank | Personal chef certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food Safety Manager Certification | NRSFP, FSMC |
| 2 | Certified Food Manager (CFM) | IFSEA, MCFE |
| 3 | Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) | BCNS |
| 4 | ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification | National Rest... |
| 5 | Certified Master Chef (CMC) | ACF |
| 6 | Certified Personal Chef (CPC) | USPCA |
| 7 | Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP) | ANFSP |
| 8 | Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS) | NEHA |
| 9 | Certified Executive Chef (CEC) | ACF |
| 10 | Certified Master Pastry Chef (CMPC) | ACF |
10 best personal chef certifications
1. 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)
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. 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)
4. 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)
5. 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)
6. Certified Personal Chef (CPC)
A Certified Personal Chef is a chef with a minimum of two (2) full years experience as a Personal Chef who is engaged in the purchasing, preparing, cooking and serving foods on a "cook-for-hire" basis; is responsible for menu planning and development, marketing, financial management, and operational decisions of a private business; provides services to a variety of clients; possesses a thorough knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and nutrition; and is able to demonstrate measurable knowledge in defined areas of work experience, education, business and culinary group activities and participation along with personal awards and media exposure.
- 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 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)
8. 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)
9. 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)
10. 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)
What is the best certification for a personal chef?
The best personal chef certification is Food Safety Manager Certification. The Food Safety Manager Certification is awarded by the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this personal chef certification:
- To become a certified Food Safety Manager Certification, you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 5 year.
What certifications can impact a personal chef career and salary?
The Food Safety Manager Certification certification will help you to secure a head chef position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A head chef's average salary is $44,181 whereas personal chefs make an average salary of $47,681.
The most common combination of personal chef certifications include: Food Safety Manager Certification, Certified Food Manager (CFM), and Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS).
Online courses for personal chefs to earn certifications
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