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Certification

Chefs and Head Cooks

Certification Description
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.

Certifying Organization
American Culinary Federation, Inc.
http://www.acfchefs.org

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 5 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? Yes
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Certified Chef de Cuisine Website

Certification Description
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.

Certifying Organization
American Culinary Federation, Inc.
http://www.acfchefs.org

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 5 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? Yes
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Certified Executive Chef Website

Certification Description
A pastry chef who is a department head, usually responsible to the executive chef of a food operation or to the management of a pastry specialty firm.

Certifying Organization
American Culinary Federation, Inc.
http://www.acfchefs.org

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 5 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? Yes
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Certified Executive Pastry Chef Website

Certification Description
The consummate chef. A CMC possesses the highest degree of professional culinary knowledge, skill and mastery of cooking techniques.

Certifying Organization
American Culinary Federation, Inc.
http://www.acfchefs.org

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 5 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? Yes
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Certified Master Chef Website

Certification Description
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.

Certifying Organization
American Culinary Federation, Inc.
http://www.acfchefs.org

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 5 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? Yes
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Certified Master Pastry Chef Website

Certification Description
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.

Certifying Organization
United States Personal Chef Association
https://www.uspca.com/?

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 5 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? Yes
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? Yes

Certified Personal Chef Website

Certification Description
The Sous Chef certification is designed to identify those chefs who have demonstrated a level of culinary competence and expertise through their education, work experience, culinary knowledge and skills that is consistent with a chef who supervises a shift or station(s) in a foodservice operation.

Certifying Organization
American Culinary Federation, Inc.
http://www.acfchefs.org

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 5 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? Yes
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Certified Sous Chef Website

Certifying Organization
American Culinary Federation, Inc.
http://www.acfchefs.org

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 5 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? Yes
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Certified Working Pastry Chef Website

Source: CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).