Top 10 Kitchen Supervisor Certifications

Certifications for a kitchen supervisor are important for several reasons. First, certifications demonstrate to employers that the individual has acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in their role. Additionally, certifications provide employers with assurance that the kitchen supervisor has the professional qualifications needed to manage a kitchen safely and efficiently. Finally, earning certifications can help increase an individual’s job prospects by increasing their employability and helping them stand out from other applicants. Having certifications can also serve as evidence of a commitment to professional development and growth.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial certifications for Kitchen Supervisors and explain how they can help further their career.

What are Kitchen Supervisor Certifications?

Kitchen supervisor certification is a program designed to provide kitchen supervisors with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively manage their kitchen staff and operations. This certification can help kitchen supervisors increase their knowledge of food safety, sanitation, nutrition, and other topics related to running a successful kitchen. The certification also helps supervisors understand the importance of proper food handling and storage techniques, as well as how to use technology in the kitchen. Additionally, it provides instruction on how to design menus that meet customer needs while being cost-effective. Finally, it helps build communication skills so that supervisors can effectively lead their team and ensure that all tasks are completed correctly. With this certification, kitchen supervisors can gain the necessary skills needed to become more efficient and effective leaders in the restaurant industry.

Pro tip: When pursuing a kitchen supervisor certification, make sure to brush up on your safety knowledge. Kitchen supervisors must be knowledgeable about food safety and sanitation regulations, as well as proper food storage and handling techniques. Additionally, employers may require that you have a basic understanding of nutrition and menu planning. Staying current with industry standards will help you become an effective kitchen supervisor.

Related: What does a Kitchen Supervisor do?

Top 10 Kitchen Supervisor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Kitchen Supervisors today.

1. ServSafe Manager Certification

ServSafe Manager Certification is a comprehensive food safety training and certification program. It is administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and is recognized by health departments across the United States. The program covers topics such as food safety regulations, foodborne illness prevention, personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitizing, safe food handling practices, and more.

The ServSafe Manager Certification exam takes approximately two hours to complete. The exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions with a passing score of 75 percent or higher.

To get ServSafe Manager Certification, individuals must first register for the exam online at servsafe.com or by calling 800-765-2122. After registering for the exam, individuals must attend an accredited training course in order to be eligible for the exam. Once they have completed their training course, they can schedule their exam date and location through Prometric’s website or by calling 866-858-2121.

The cost of ServSafe Manager Certification varies depending on the state in which it is taken; however, it typically ranges from $100 - $150 USD per person for both the training course and the exam fee combined.

2. Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM)

Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) is a certification program that provides food safety training and education to food service professionals. The CPFM program is designed to help ensure that foodservice operations are managed in a safe and sanitary manner and are compliant with local, state, and federal regulations.

The CPFM program consists of two parts: an online course followed by a proctored exam. The online course covers topics such as food safety principles, cleaning and sanitizing procedures, pest control, HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) systems, and more. The proctored exam tests knowledge of the material covered in the online course.

It typically takes about 8-10 hours to complete the online course and pass the proctored exam. To get certified, you must register for the CPFM program through an accredited provider such as ServSafe or Prometric. You will then be given access to the online course and will need to schedule a time for your proctored exam.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on which provider you use but typically ranges from $100-$200 USD.

3. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Kitchen Supervisor Certification

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Kitchen Supervisor Certification is a certification program designed to help kitchen supervisors gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage and lead in today’s restaurant kitchens. The certification program is an online, self-paced curriculum that focuses on topics such as food safety, sanitation, nutrition, menu planning, cost control, and staff training. The program also covers essential supervisory skills such as communication, problem solving, decision making, and conflict resolution.

It typically takes about 8-10 hours to complete the NRAEF Kitchen Supervisor Certification course. To get certified, individuals must complete all sections of the course and pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher.

The cost for the NRAEF Kitchen Supervisor Certification is $99 USD for NRAEF members and $149 USD for non-members.

4. Food Safety Manager Certification (FSMC)

Food Safety Manager Certification (FSMC) is a certification program that provides food safety managers with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure the safety of food products. The program is designed to help food service professionals understand and comply with local, state, and federal regulations related to food safety.

The FSMC program typically takes around 30 hours to complete. It consists of an online course, a proctored exam, and a final assessment. The online course covers topics such as safe food handling practices, food-borne illness prevention, proper storage techniques, pest control methods, and more. Once the online course is completed, students must pass a proctored exam in order to receive their certification. After passing the exam, students must complete a final assessment in order to receive their certificate.

The cost of the FSMC program varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $100-$300 USD. Most providers offer discounts for groups or those who need multiple certifications.

In order to become certified as a Food Safety Manager, individuals must have at least two years of experience working in a restaurant or other food service establishment. They must also have completed an approved training program or have taken an accredited college course in food safety management prior to taking the FSMC exam.

5. American Culinary Federation Certified Culinarian (ACFCC)

The American Culinary Federation Certified Culinarian (ACFCC) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge, skills, and abilities of experienced culinarians. The ACFCC is a voluntary certification that demonstrates an individual’s commitment to their profession and provides employers with assurance that the certified individual has met the minimum standards for competency in the culinary arts.

It typically takes 12-18 months to complete all of the requirements for the ACFCC certification. To become certified, individuals must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as nutrition, food safety and sanitation, menu planning, purchasing and inventory control, and culinary techniques. They must also have at least two years of full-time work experience in a commercial kitchen or related field.

The cost of obtaining ACFCC certification varies depending on the individual’s circumstances. The cost includes an application fee, exam fee, and any applicable taxes or fees associated with taking the exam.

6. HACCP Certification for Kitchen Supervisors

HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) Certification is a food safety program designed to identify and prevent potential biological, chemical, and physical hazards in the food production process. It is a certification that is required for all kitchen supervisors who are responsible for preparing and serving food in restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, etc.

The HACCP certification process typically takes about two weeks to complete. To get certified, you must first take an approved HACCP course from an accredited institution. The course covers topics such as food safety principles, hazard analysis techniques, critical control points identification and monitoring methods. Once the course is completed successfully, you will receive a certificate of completion that can be used to apply for the HACCP certification exam.

The cost of the HACCP certification varies depending on the institution offering it but generally ranges from $100-$500 USD. After passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher, you will receive your official HACCP Certification which must be renewed every three years in order to remain valid.

7. National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) Certified Professional Food Safety Manager (CPFSM)

The National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) Certified Professional Food Safety Manager (CPFSM) is a food safety certification program that is recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to food safety management. The CPFSM certification demonstrates an individual’s commitment to food safety and their ability to manage a safe and sanitary food service operation.

In order to become certified, individuals must first complete the NRFSP Certified Professional Food Safety Manager Course. This course consists of eight modules covering topics such as food safety regulations, hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP), sanitation principles, and more. The course typically takes between 8-10 hours to complete and can be done online or in person. Upon successful completion of the course, individuals are eligible to take the CPFSM exam.

The CPFSM exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering all aspects of food safety management. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete and requires a passing score of 80% or higher in order to receive certification. The cost for the CPFSM course and exam is $299 USD plus applicable taxes and fees. Once certified, individuals must renew their certification every three years by taking an additional 8-hour refresher course or retaking the full CPFSM exam at their own expense.

8. American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) Certified Kitchen Supervisor (CKS)

The American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) Certified Kitchen Supervisor (CKS) is a professional certification that demonstrates the holder's knowledge and expertise in the management of kitchen operations. It is designed for individuals who are responsible for the overall supervision of food production, storage, and service in a commercial kitchen.

The CKS certification program consists of two parts: an online course and a proctored exam. The online course covers topics such as nutrition, sanitation, food safety, menu planning, cost control, purchasing, personnel management, and more. The program takes approximately 12-15 hours to complete.

To become certified as a CKS, applicants must first complete the online course and then pass the proctored exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam is administered by AHLEI through Pearson VUE testing centers located around the world.

The cost of the CKS certification program is $299 USD plus applicable taxes. This fee includes access to the online course materials as well as one attempt at the proctored exam. Additional attempts at the exam will incur additional fees.

9. International Food Safety Council (IFSC) Certified Kitchen Supervisor Program

The International Food Safety Council (IFSC) Certified Kitchen Supervisor Program is a comprehensive, online training program designed to provide supervisors with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure food safety in their kitchens. The program is suitable for all types of food establishments, including restaurants, catering companies, hotels, and other food service operations.

The program consists of four modules: Introduction to Food Safety; Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP); Sanitation & Cleaning; and Supervisory Responsibilities. Each module includes an interactive learning experience that covers the topics in depth and provides learners with the opportunity to practice their knowledge through quizzes and activities. The entire program takes approximately eight hours to complete.

In order to obtain certification, learners must pass an exam at the end of each module as well as a final exam at the end of the course. Upon successful completion of the program, learners will receive a certificate from IFSC that is valid for two years.

The cost of the IFSC Certified Kitchen Supervisor Program varies depending on whether you are taking it as part of a group or individually. Group rates start at $99 per person while individual rates start at $199 per person.

10. National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Certified Professional Food Handler

The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Certified Professional Food Handler is a certification program that provides food handlers with the necessary knowledge and skills to safely handle food. It is designed to ensure that all food service workers are properly trained and knowledgeable about safe food handling practices.

The program consists of an online course, which takes approximately four hours to complete. The course covers topics such as food safety regulations, personal hygiene, cross-contamination prevention, proper storage and preparation of food, and cleaning and sanitizing. After completing the course, participants must pass an exam in order to receive their certification.

To get the NSF Certified Professional Food Handler certification, you must first register for the online course. You can do this through the NSF website or by calling their customer service line. Once you have registered for the course, you will be given access to the materials needed to complete it. Once you have completed the course and passed the exam, you will receive your certificate in the mail within two weeks of completion.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you take the course; however, most courses range from $50-$100 USD.

Do You Really Need a Kitchen Supervisor Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual's career goals and the specific requirements of their job. For some individuals, earning a Kitchen Supervisor Certificate may be necessary in order to move up in their current role or to qualify for a promotion. In other cases, it may not be required but could still provide an added benefit.

Having a Kitchen Supervisor Certificate demonstrates a level of knowledge and expertise that can help an individual stand out from the competition when applying for jobs or promotions. It also shows that they are dedicated to their profession and have taken steps to expand their knowledge and skillset. Employers often value these qualities, as they demonstrate commitment and a desire to learn more about the industry.

In addition, having a certificate can provide access to specialized training courses and seminars which can further enhance an individual's knowledge base and help them stay up-to-date with industry best practices. This can be especially beneficial for those who want to become experts in their field or those who are looking for ways to advance in their career.

Ultimately, whether or not someone needs a Kitchen Supervisor Certificate is dependent upon what they hope to achieve with it. If it is something that will help them reach their goals, then it may be worth pursuing. However, if it is not necessary for achieving one’s objectives, then it may not be the best use of time and resources.

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FAQs About Kitchen Supervisor Certifications

1. What is a kitchen supervisor certification?

A kitchen supervisor certification is a credential that recognizes a professional’s knowledge, skills, and experience in the field of supervising food production operations. It demonstrates mastery of food safety principles and procedures, as well as management and leadership techniques.

2. How do I become certified as a kitchen supervisor?

To become certified as a kitchen supervisor, you must complete an approved training program and pass an exam to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in food safety and operational management.

3. What are the benefits of having a kitchen supervisor certification?

Having a kitchen supervisor certification can help you stand out from other job candidates, increase your earning potential, give you more career options, provide job security, and validate your credentials with employers.

4. How long does it take to get certified as a kitchen supervisor?

The amount of time it takes to get certified as a kitchen supervisor depends on the type of certification program you choose. Most programs require between 30-40 hours of study time and then passing an exam at the end of the coursework.

5. Is there any continuing education required for maintaining my kitchen supervisor certification?

Yes, most certifications require continuing education credits (CEUs) to maintain your certification status. You may need to complete additional courses or workshops every year or two in order to remain current on best practices in the industry or keep up with changes in regulations or standards.