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Best Chef/Catering certifications
Chef/catering certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an chef/catering to employers. However, not all chef/catering certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a chef/catering are ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification, Certified Food Manager (CFM), and Food Safety Manager Certification.
Below is a list of the best chef/catering certifications. Obtaining an chef/catering certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
7 best certifications for chef/caterings
Rank  | Chef/Catering certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification | National Rest... |
| 2 | Certified Food Manager (CFM) | IFSEA, MCFE |
| 3 | Food Safety Manager Certification | NRSFP, FSMC |
| 4 | Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) | BCNS |
| 5 | Certified Master Chef (CMC) | ACF |
| 6 | Certified Executive Chef (CEC) | ACF |
| 7 | Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS) | NEHA |
Chef/Catering Jobs
7 best chef/catering certifications
1. 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)
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. 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)
4. 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)
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 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)
7. 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)
Chef/Catering Jobs
What is the best certification for a chef/catering?
The best chef/catering certification is ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification. The ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification is awarded by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. 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 chef/catering certification:
- To become a certified ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification, you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 5 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for chef/caterings?
The most in-demand chef/catering certification is Certified Food Manager based on all active job postings. Having this chef/catering certification will give you access to more chef/catering jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a chef/catering career and salary?
The Certified Executive Chef certification will help you to secure a executive chef position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A executive chef's average salary is $54,707 whereas chef/caterings make an average salary of $47,693.
The most common combination of chef/catering certifications include: ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification, Certified Food Manager (CFM), and Food Safety Manager Certification.
Online courses for chef/caterings to earn certifications
1. Fun food safety and sanitation course
The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...
2. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System
Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...
3. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors
The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...
4. Food Photography: Capturing Food in Your Kitchen
With DIY Food Photography, you'll be taking better photos in no time with what you have in your own kitchen!...
5. Chef for the Absolute Beginners - DevOps
Learn to automate without scripting using Chef with integrated hands-on labs right in your browser...
6. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service
Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...
7. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer
Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...
8. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
9. ISO 22000 (HACCP and PRPs) for Food Safety
Standards, analysis, control points, and risk management related to ISO 22000 for food industry professionals...
10. Customer Service Basics: Improve your Service now
The basic golden rules to kickstart your service...