Top 10 Chef Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a chef manager in the job market because they demonstrate a level of professional competence and knowledge. These certifications show that the chef manager has achieved a certain level of training and education, as well as providing evidence of their expertise in the culinary field. In addition to demonstrating knowledge, these certifications also provide assurance to employers that the chef manager is capable of meeting industry standards, is competent in food safety practices, and understands kitchen management techniques. Having certifications can also give a chef manager an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs, helping them stand out from the competition.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Chef Managers and explains how they can contribute to a chef manager's career, providing insight into the value of these certifications.

What are Chef Manager Certifications?

Chef Manager Certification is a certification program designed to help individuals advance their career in the culinary industry. The certification is awarded by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and recognizes those who have demonstrated a mastery of management principles, techniques, and strategies in foodservice operations. It also helps validate an individual's expertise in kitchen management, providing employers with an assurance that they have hired someone who can confidently lead their kitchen staff.

The Chef Manager Certification program covers topics such as human resources, finance and budgeting, menu planning, purchasing and inventory control, sanitation and safety procedures, quality control, customer service skills, and marketing. It also provides training on how to effectively manage personnel within the kitchen setting. Through this program, individuals gain knowledge on how to best use available resources for successful kitchen operations.

Having this certification can help individuals stand out from other applicants when seeking employment opportunities in the culinary industry. It demonstrates that they are knowledgeable about the industry standards and practices needed for success in foodservice management. Additionally, it may provide job seekers with access to more competitive salaries due to their specialized skillset and qualifications.

Pro Tip: When preparing for a Chef Manager Certification exam, be sure to have a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of professional kitchen management. This includes topics such as cost control, menu design, personnel management and food safety. Additionally, it is important to have a good grasp of industry standards and best practices.

Related: What does a Chef Manager do?

Top 10 Chef Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Chef Managers today.

1. Certified Professional Chef (CPC)

Certified Professional Chef (CPC) is a professional certification program offered by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). It is the highest level of certification available for chefs in the United States. The CPC is designed to recognize those who have achieved a high level of culinary knowledge and skill, as well as demonstrate their commitment to professionalism and continuing education.

To become a Certified Professional Chef, individuals must meet certain requirements set out by the ACF. These include: having at least five years of full-time work experience in a commercial kitchen; passing an exam that tests culinary knowledge; completing an approved apprenticeship program; and demonstrating proficiency in knife skills, food safety, nutrition, menu planning, cost control and other areas.

The process of becoming a Certified Professional Chef typically takes two to three years. During this time, individuals must complete their apprenticeship program and pass the exam. Once they have done so, they will receive their certificate from the ACF.

The cost of becoming a Certified Professional Chef varies depending on where you take your classes or apprenticeship program. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 or more.

2. Certified Executive Chef (CEC)

Certified Executive Chef (CEC) is a professional certification offered by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). The CEC credential is the highest level of certification available in the culinary industry and is recognized worldwide. It is designed to recognize chefs who demonstrate mastery of culinary techniques, knowledge of food safety and sanitation, and leadership skills.

To become a Certified Executive Chef, an individual must have at least five years of full-time work experience as a chef in a commercial kitchen setting. Additionally, they must pass a written exam administered by the ACF, complete an oral interview with an ACF Certification Board Member, and submit two letters of reference from certified executive chefs or other qualified professionals.

The process typically takes between 3-6 months to complete depending on how quickly the applicant completes all requirements.

The cost for taking the CEC exam varies depending on your ACF membership status. For non-members it costs $700 USD, while members pay $450 USD. There are also additional fees for retakes and late registrations.

3. Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA)

Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA) is a professional certification program offered by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). It is designed for foodservice professionals who are responsible for managing and leading the culinary operations of an organization. The CCA credential demonstrates to employers, customers, and peers that the holder has achieved a high level of competency in culinary administration.

The CCA certification requires passing an exam that covers topics such as menu planning, cost control, human resources, nutrition, sanitation and safety, purchasing and inventory management, marketing and public relations. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within three hours.

To become certified as a CCA, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements including: having at least two years of full-time work experience in a foodservice operation; having completed coursework in foodservice management; or have held a supervisory position in a foodservice operation for at least one year.

The cost of taking the CCA exam is $295 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees. Once certified, there is an annual fee of $50 USD to maintain the credential.

4. Certified Foodservice Manager (CFM)

A Certified Foodservice Manager (CFM) is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the foodservice industry. It is designed to help ensure that foodservice managers have the necessary skills to properly manage, operate, and oversee food safety practices in their establishments.

To become a CFM, an individual must first complete a minimum of a two-year degree program in hospitality management or related field from an accredited college or university. After completing the degree program, potential CFMs must pass an examination administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as nutrition, sanitation, food safety, customer service, and financial management.

In order to take the exam, individuals must submit an application along with proof of education and pay a fee of $100. Once approved for the exam, individuals can register for it online or through mail. The exam takes about four hours to complete and results are available within two weeks after completion.

The cost for becoming a CFM varies depending on whether you choose to take the exam online or through mail. If you take it online, it will cost $250; if you take it through mail it will cost $350. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as travel expenses and lodging if you choose to take it at an offsite location.

5. ServSafe Manager Certification

ServSafe Manager Certification is a food safety certification program that provides foodservice managers with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect customers from foodborne illnesses. The program is administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and is recognized by health departments across the United States.

The ServSafe Manager Certification program consists of an online course, an exam, and a proctored exam. The online course takes approximately 8 hours to complete and covers topics such as food safety regulations, proper storage and preparation of food, cleaning and sanitizing procedures, pest control, and more. Upon completion of the online course, students must pass an 80-question multiple-choice exam with a score of 75% or higher to receive their certification.

The cost for the ServSafe Manager Certification program varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $150-$200 for the online course plus exam fee. Additionally, there may be additional fees for taking the proctored exam if required in your state or county.

Overall, obtaining a ServSafe Manager Certification can take anywhere from one day to several weeks depending on when you are able to take the proctored exam and how quickly you complete the online course.

6. American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef (ACF CEC)

The American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef (ACF CEC) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and experience of executive chefs. The ACF CEC is the highest level of certification offered by the American Culinary Federation, and it requires a significant commitment to culinary excellence.

In order to become an ACF CEC, applicants must have at least five years of professional cooking experience and have completed at least four years of post-secondary education in culinary arts or related fields. Applicants must also pass a comprehensive written exam that tests their knowledge of food safety, nutrition, menu planning, cost control, and other aspects of culinary management.

It typically takes about six months to complete the application process for the ACF CEC. During this time, applicants must complete all necessary paperwork and submit their transcripts from post-secondary education programs. They must also complete an online practice exam to prepare for the written examination.

The cost for becoming an ACF CEC varies depending on the type of membership chosen. For example, memberships with access to additional benefits such as discounts on continuing education courses may cost more than basic memberships. The cost for taking the written exam is $125 USD per attempt, regardless of membership type.

Overall, becoming an ACF CEC requires dedication and hard work but can be very rewarding for those who are looking to advance their culinary career or demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the kitchen.

7. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification is a food safety certification program that helps protect the public from foodborne illness. The certification is designed to ensure that foodservice managers have the knowledge and skills necessary to protect the public from foodborne illnesses.

The ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification program consists of an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as food safety regulations, safe food handling practices, personal hygiene, sanitation procedures, pest control, and more. The exam tests the participant’s knowledge of these topics.

It typically takes about 5-6 hours to complete the online course and exam. After completing the course and passing the exam with a score of at least 75%, participants will receive their ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.

The cost for the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification varies depending on where you take it. Generally, it costs between $150-$200 for both the online course and exam.

8. Professional Kitchen Manager (PKM)

Professional Kitchen Manager (PKM) is a certification program designed to help foodservice professionals gain the knowledge and skills they need to become successful kitchen managers. The PKM program offers comprehensive training in areas such as menu planning, recipe development, food safety and sanitation, cost control, inventory management, and personnel management. It also provides an understanding of the financial aspects of running a kitchen.

The PKM program can be completed in as little as two weeks and consists of both online and in-person instruction. The online coursework covers topics such as nutrition science, food safety regulations, purchasing principles, and customer service. In-person instruction includes hands-on training in the kitchen with experienced chefs who demonstrate proper techniques for preparing meals.

To get certified as a Professional Kitchen Manager (PKM), individuals must pass an exam administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). Candidates must have at least two years of experience working in a commercial kitchen or have completed an accredited culinary arts program before taking the exam.

The cost of the PKM certification varies depending on the institution offering it. Generally speaking, it costs between $500-$1000 for tuition plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam.

9. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ServSafe Alcohol Certification

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's ServSafe Alcohol Certification is a program designed to help servers, sellers, and managers of alcoholic beverages understand their legal responsibilities when it comes to serving alcohol. The certification is valid for five years and provides an understanding of state laws and regulations as they relate to the sale and service of alcohol. It also covers topics such as identifying minors, checking IDs, preventing intoxication, intervening when necessary, dealing with difficult situations, and more.

To get the ServSafe Alcohol Certification, individuals must complete an online course or attend a classroom-based training session. The online course takes approximately four hours to complete and includes a proctored exam at the end. The classroom-based training option is typically offered in one-day sessions and also includes a proctored exam at the end.

The cost of the ServSafe Alcohol Certification varies depending on whether you take the online or classroom-based course. The online course costs $60 while the classroom-based course costs $75. Both courses include the cost of the exam fee as well as access to study materials.

10. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s Hospitality and Foodservice Management Professional Certification

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Hospitality and Foodservice Management Professional Certification is a voluntary certification program for individuals who are interested in advancing their careers in the hospitality and foodservice industry. This certification is designed to recognize those who have achieved a high level of professional competency in the field.

The certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as financial management, human resources, operations, marketing, and customer service. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To be eligible for the certification, applicants must have at least three years of work experience in the hospitality or foodservice industry. Additionally, they must also have completed a minimum of 15 hours of approved continuing education courses related to hospitality or foodservice management.

The cost of the certification varies depending on whether you are an NRAEF member or not. For non-members, the cost is $350; for members, it is $250. There are no additional fees associated with taking the exam or maintaining your certification once you have passed it.

Once you have successfully completed all requirements and passed the exam, you will receive your certificate from the NRAEF within 4-6 weeks. Your certificate will be valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

Do You Really Need a Chef Manager Certificate?

The short answer to this question is no, you do not need a Chef Manager Certificate in order to be a successful chef or manager in the culinary world. However, having a Chef Manager Certificate can certainly help you stand out from the rest and give you an edge when it comes to finding employment and advancing your career.

A Chef Manager Certificate will provide you with a more specific education than other culinary certificates, focusing specifically on managerial skills and techniques. It will teach you how to effectively manage kitchen staff, create menus, order supplies, develop recipes, and handle food safety issues. With this knowledge, you can become an invaluable asset to any restaurant or catering establishment.

Having a Chef Manager Certificate can also open up new job opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable without it. You may find yourself working as a sous chef or even executive chef of a high-end restaurant or catering company due to your superior managerial skills. Additionally, many catering companies require their employees to have some form of certification in order to work for them, so having a Chef Manager Certificate could put you at the top of their list of potential candidates.

At the end of the day, whether or not you decide to pursue a Chef Manager Certificate is ultimately up to you. It is important that whatever decision you make is based on what will best serve your needs and goals as an aspiring chef or manager in the culinary industry.

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FAQs About Chef Manager Certifications

Q1. What is a Chef Manager Certification?

A1. A Chef Manager Certification is a specialized certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and skills in managing a professional kitchen. It covers topics such as menu planning, food safety, sanitation, and personnel management.

Q2. How do I become certified as a Chef Manager?

A2. To become certified as a Chef Manager, you must first complete the appropriate courses and pass related exams administered by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). You may also need to meet additional requirements depending on the state or country in which you live.

Q3. How long does it take to get certified as a Chef Manager?

A3. The amount of time it takes to get certified as a Chef Manager depends on the number of courses and exams required for certification in your particular area. Generally, it can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to become fully certified.

Q4. What are some common tasks performed by Chef Managers?

A4. Common tasks performed by Chef Managers include menu planning, food preparation, inventory management, staff supervision, budgeting, customer service, and food safety compliance.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming a Certified Chef Manager?

A5: Yes - most states require that potential candidates have at least two years of work experience in the culinary field before applying for certification as a Certified Chef Manager