Top 10 Catering Assistant Certifications

Certifications are important for a catering assistant in the job market because they can demonstrate their knowledge and experience to potential employers. Certifications provide proof of competency, which is necessary in a competitive job market. Additionally, certifications can make a candidate more attractive to employers, as they show that the person has taken the initiative to gain additional skills and knowledge. Furthermore, certifications may give candidates an advantage over other applicants who lack such credentials. Lastly, some catering companies may require certain certifications or qualifications before hiring a catering assistant.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Catering Assistants and explains how they can help to enhance a catering assistant's career.

What are Catering Assistant Certifications?

Catering assistant certification is a professional qualification that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to work in a catering environment. This type of certification is often required in order to obtain employment in this field.

The certification covers topics such as customer service, food safety, food preparation, and nutrition. It also teaches important practical skills such as menu planning, food presentation, and event management. By obtaining this certification, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to the profession and gain a competitive edge over other applicants when applying for jobs.

Catering assistant certification can also be beneficial for those already employed in the catering industry who wish to improve their knowledge and skills. With the right training and qualifications, they will be able to take on more responsibilities and progress further in their careers. Furthermore, having an official certification proves that they are knowledgeable about catering practices and have the necessary skills to provide excellent service.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research and understand the different catering assistant certifications available before enrolling in a program. Many programs offer specialized certification that can help you stand out in the industry and provide you with skills that are unique to your specialty.

Related: What does a Catering Assistant do?

Top 10 Catering Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Catering Assistants today.

1. ServSafe Food Handler Certification

ServSafe Food Handler Certification is a certification program developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) to provide food handlers with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect customers from foodborne illness. The program is designed to teach food handlers how to properly handle, store, prepare, and serve food in a safe manner.

The ServSafe Food Handler Certification course typically takes about 2 hours to complete and covers topics such as proper handwashing techniques, preventing cross-contamination, understanding food safety regulations, and more. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion that is valid for 3 years.

To get your ServSafe Food Handler Certification you can take an online or in-person class offered by NRAEF approved instructors. You can find a list of approved instructors on the NRAEF website. The cost of the course varies depending on the instructor, but typically ranges from $10-$20 USD per person.

2. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) ServSafe Manager Certification

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) ServSafe Manager Certification is a food safety certification program designed to help restaurant managers protect the public from foodborne illness. The program provides comprehensive instruction in food safety and sanitation, and is recognized by health departments across the United States.

The ServSafe Manager Certification is a two-part process, which includes an online exam and a proctored exam. The online exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions about food safety topics such as personal hygiene, cross-contamination, temperature control, and cleaning & sanitizing. After completing the online exam, participants must take a proctored exam at an approved testing center. The proctored exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately one hour to complete.

To get certified, you must register for the program on the NRAEF website and pay the associated fee. The cost of the ServSafe Manager Certification is $125 for members of the NRAEF or $150 for non-members.

Once you have completed both parts of the certification process, you will receive your official ServSafe Manager Certification card within 4 weeks after passing your proctored exam.

3. American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certified Culinarian Certification

The American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certified Culinarian Certification is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful in the culinary field. It is designed for those with at least two years of experience working in a commercial kitchen. The certification requires passing an exam, which covers topics such as food safety, nutrition, sanitation, and management.

In order to become certified, candidates must first complete an ACF-approved apprenticeship program or culinary degree program. Once they have completed the program, they can apply to take the Certified Culinarian Exam. This exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

Once the exam is passed, applicants will receive their official ACF Certified Culinarian Certificate and lapel pin. The certification is valid for five years before it needs to be renewed. To maintain certification, individuals must complete 30 continuing education credits every five years or retake the exam every five years.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of the ACF. For members, it costs $250 for the application fee plus $200 for each attempt at the exam; for non-members it costs $400 for the application fee plus $300 per attempt at the exam.

4. National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) Food Safety Manager Certification

The National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) Food Safety Manager Certification is a nationally recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and understanding of food safety principles. The certification is designed to provide assurance to employers, regulatory agencies, and the public that the certified individual has the necessary skills and knowledge to manage a safe food service operation.

To get the NRFSP Food Safety Manager Certification, individuals must pass an exam administered by the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals. The exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as food safety regulations, personal hygiene, pest control, sanitation practices, HACCP principles, and more. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

The cost for taking the NRFSP Food Safety Manager Certification exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $125-$150. After passing the exam, individuals will be issued a certificate valid for five years. To maintain their certification status after five years, individuals must retake and pass the exam every five years or complete continuing education courses approved by NRFSP.

5. Professional Catering Assistant Certificate Program

The Professional Catering Assistant Certificate Program is a comprehensive program designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful catering assistant. The program consists of five courses, which cover topics such as customer service, food safety, menu planning, event planning, and catering setup.

The program takes approximately three months to complete. During this time, students will be required to complete all five courses in order to receive their certificate. Each course consists of lectures, hands-on activities, and assessments. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive their Professional Catering Assistant Certificate from the American Culinary Federation (ACF).

To get started with the Professional Catering Assistant Certificate Program, students must first register for the program online or through their local ACF chapter. Registration fees vary depending on location and may include additional costs for materials or textbooks. Once registered, students can begin taking classes immediately or wait until the start of the next semester.

The cost of the Professional Catering Assistant Certificate Program varies depending on location and other factors. Generally speaking, tuition for the entire program ranges from $500-$1,000 USD (or more). Additional costs such as textbooks and materials may also apply.

6. American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) Certification

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of hospitality supervisors. It is intended for individuals who are responsible for managing employees in a hospitality setting, such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other lodging or foodservice establishments.

The CHS certification requires completion of an online course that covers topics such as leadership and management principles, communication skills, customer service strategies, human resources management, financial management, and more. The course takes approximately 20 hours to complete. Upon successful completion of the course and passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher, candidates will receive their CHS certification.

The cost of the CHS certification program is $499 USD. This fee includes access to the online course materials as well as the exam fee.

7. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) Certification

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) Certification is a certification program designed to ensure that foodservice professionals have the necessary knowledge and skills to manage a safe and sanitary food service operation. The CPFM certification is based on the FDA Food Code, which sets standards for food safety and sanitation in restaurants, cafeterias, and other foodservice establishments.

To become certified, individuals must complete an 8-hour training course and pass an exam administered by a state-approved provider. The course covers topics such as food safety regulations, proper hygiene practices, foodborne illness prevention, temperature control of foods, pest control, sanitation procedures, and more. After completing the training course, individuals must take and pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher in order to receive their CPFM certification.

The cost of the CPFM certification varies depending on the state in which you are taking the course. Generally speaking, it costs between $150-$200 for the training course and exam. It typically takes about two weeks from start to finish to obtain your CPFM certification.

8. International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) Certified Catering Professional Designation

The International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) Certified Catering Professional Designation is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in the catering industry. The program is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their chosen field.

The ICHRIE Certified Catering Professional Designation requires applicants to complete an online application and submit it along with a fee of $100 USD. Once approved, applicants must complete a two-day training course that covers topics such as food safety, menu planning, budgeting and customer service. Upon successful completion of the course, applicants will receive their designation certificate.

The ICHRIE Certified Catering Professional Designation is valid for three years from the date of issuance. To maintain certification, individuals must complete at least 12 hours of continuing education credits every three years. Additionally, certified professionals must adhere to the ICHRIE Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Overall, the ICHRIE Certified Catering Professional Designation provides individuals with an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the catering industry and further develop their knowledge and skillset.

9. American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certified Executive Chef® Designation

The American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certified Executive Chef® Designation is a professional certification program that recognizes the highest level of culinary knowledge and expertise. The designation is designed to recognize chefs who have achieved a high level of excellence in the culinary profession.

To become an ACF Certified Executive Chef®, individuals must have at least five years of experience as a working chef, including three years in a supervisory or management position. Candidates must also pass an exam administered by the ACF, which covers topics such as food safety, nutrition, sanitation, menu planning, and financial management.

The cost for the ACF Certified Executive Chef® designation varies depending on the type of membership you hold with the ACF. For non-members, the cost is $350; for members, it is $250; and for student members, it is $200.

In order to receive your certification after passing the exam, you must submit proof of your work experience and pay any applicable fees. Once all documents are received and approved by the ACF Certification Commission Board of Review, you will be issued your certificate and can proudly display your new title: “ACF Certified Executive Chef®”.

10. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Certified Dietary Manager® Certification

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Certified Dietary Manager® Certification is a professional credential offered to individuals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to manage the dietary operations of a healthcare facility, long-term care facility, or foodservice operation. The certification is awarded by the NRAEF following successful completion of an exam that covers topics such as nutrition, food safety, sanitation, menu planning, and personnel management.

To become certified as a Dietary Manager, applicants must have at least two years of full-time experience in foodservice management or dietetics within the last five years. Applicants must also complete an approved training program that includes a minimum of 18 hours of classroom instruction in areas such as nutrition science, food service systems and operations, menu planning and production control, human resources management and customer service.

The exam for the NRAEF Certified Dietary Manager® Certification takes approximately three hours to complete and consists of 150 multiple choice questions. The cost for the exam is $325 for NRAEF members and $425 for non-members. Once applicants have passed the exam they will receive their certification which is valid for five years before needing to be renewed.

Do You Really Need a Catering Assistant Certificate?

Whether you need a catering assistant certificate depends on the type of job you are seeking and the qualifications that employer is looking for. In some cases, having a certificate may be necessary to obtain certain jobs, while in other cases it may not be necessary.

For instance, if you are looking for work as a kitchen assistant in a restaurant or catering establishment, then it is likely that having a catering assistant certificate will give you an edge over other candidates who do not have one. This is because employers will know that you possess specific knowledge and skills related to the role that could help them improve their operations and ultimately increase profits.

On the other hand, if you are seeking work as a server or bartender in an establishment that does not specialize in catering services, then having a catering assistant certificate may not be as important. Employers in these types of establishments may be more concerned with your customer service skills than your knowledge of food preparation and service techniques.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a catering assistant certificate depends on what type of job you are applying for and what qualifications the employer has specified. If it is something that would give you an advantage over other candidates or significantly improve your chances of landing the job, then obtaining such certification would certainly be beneficial.

Related: Catering Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About Catering Assistant Certifications

Q1. What is a Catering Assistant Certification?

A1. A Catering Assistant Certification is a qualification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in the catering industry, including food preparation, sanitation, customer service, and other related areas. It is often required for entry-level jobs in the industry.

Q2. What are the requirements to become certified?

A2. To become certified as a Catering Assistant, you must complete a course of study approved by an accrediting body such as the National Restaurant Association or American Culinary Federation. You may also be required to pass an exam to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.

Q3. How long does it take to get certified?

A3. The amount of time necessary to obtain certification will vary depending on the program chosen and individual progress through the coursework. Generally speaking, most programs can be completed in six months or less.

Q4. Is certification mandatory for working as a Catering Assistant?

A4. While certification is not always mandatory for employment as a Catering Assistant, it can give you an edge when applying for jobs and increase your chances of getting hired or promoted within the field.

Q5 Are there any online courses available for Catering Assistants?

A5 Yes! There are several online learning options available for those interested in becoming certified as a Catering Assistant, including self-paced courses, live webinars with experts in the field, and virtual classrooms with instructors from leading culinary schools around the world.