If you’re looking to advance your career in the culinary field, you are traditionally expected to work your way up from the ground floor through grunt work, persistence and connections. While the traditional method is still highly revered (and often demanded), as the industry becomes more saturated, it can be highly beneficial to set yourself apart with specialized training or certifications. Types of training will depend on your focus and end goal, but can range from degrees or diplomas, post-secondary certificates, apprenticeship training or industry certifications.
We’ve rounded up some of the leading certification programs within the culinary industry below. Whether you’re an aspiring chef, restaurateur or educator, a stamp of approval from one of these industry-recognized experts can help to validate your experience and drive your career forward. (Check out our Continuing Ed Resource Section for a list of organizations that can help connect you to classes, scholarships, and additional assistance.)
| Organization Name | Certification Offered | Training Offered |
| American Cheese Society | ACS Certified Cheese Professional | * |
| American Correctional Food Service Association | CFSM - Certified Correctional Food Systems Manager CCFP - Certified Correctional Foodservice Professional |
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| American Culinary Federation | CFC - Certified Fundamentals Cook CC - Certified Culinarian CSC - Certified Sous Chef CCC - Certified Chef de Cuisine CEC - Certified Executive Chef CMC - Certified Master Chef PCC - Personal Certified Chef PCEC - Personal Certified Executive Chef CFPC - Certified Fundamentals Pastry Cook CPC - Certified Pastry Culinarian CWPC - Certified Working Pastry Chef CEPC - Certified Executive Pastry Chef CMPC - Certified Master Pastry Chef CCA - Certified Culinary Administrator CCE - Certified Culinary Educator CSCE - Certified Secondary Culinary Educator |
|
| CIA ProChef | ProChef Level 1 ProChef Level 2 ProChef Level 3 |
* |
| International Association of Culinary Professionals | CCP - Certified Culinary Professional | * |
| National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation | CSFE - Certified Secondary Foodservice Educator | * |
| North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers | CFSP - Certified Foodservice Professional | * |
| Retail Bakers of America | Certified Decorator | * |
| ServSafe | ServSafe Manager ServSafe Food Handler ServSafe Allergens ServSafe Alcohol |
* |
| Stampede Meat | Certified Butcher | * |
| SUNY Cobleskill | Meat Processing and Food Safety Certificate | * |
| United States Personal Chef Association | CPC - Certified Personal Chef | |
| University of Vermont's Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese | Cheesemaking Certificate Program (CC) Advanced Cheesemaking Certificate Program (ACC) |
* |
| University of Wisconsin | Master Cheesemaker | * |
Certifications & Training Programs:
Note: This list of resources is a small sampling (and a work-in-progress!) of the options that are currently available. If you'd like us to add one that you and/or your team have benefited from, please email us at [email protected]!
