benefit. The only difference is that they must have
one year of work experience. To fill out the form, visit
www.acfchefs.org/download/documents/certify/
certification/resume_form_certificate.pdf.
members, which allows them to wear the ACF
patch on their uniforms. “All of our program faculty
members are ACF members, and we emphasize
the importance of this organization regularly as a
professional-development, networking and career-enhancing organization,” he says. “In this industry,
anyone can put a title on his or her jacket and call
himself/herself a chef. ACF certification and a
continued focus on earning higher certifications
during your career is what will separate chefs from
those who just assume the title.
Culinary certification helps
graduates stand out in a
competitive job market, and
many students qualify for
certification at no cost and
with no additional testing.
Michael Carmel, CEC, CCE, M.Ad.Ed., department
head of the culinary-arts program at the Culinary
Institute of Charleston, Charleston, S.C., shares the
benefits of ACF certification with students during the
first week of school and throughout students’ tenure.
Are you a culinary student or recent graduate
from an American Culinary Federation Education
Foundation (ACFEF)-accredited culinary school?
If so, ACF certification can differentiate your skills
from those of others and add credibility to your
school experience.
Earn your CC® or CPC®
Graduates of ACFEF-accredited postsecondary-degree culinary programs can take advantage of a
great certification benefit and earn either a certified
culinarian (CC®) and/or certified pastry culinarian
(CPC®) certification, depending on the programs
accredited by ACFEF. Because these programs
include mandatory courses and test students on
the knowledge, techniques and skills equal to the
competencies tested in the written and practical
exams, graduates are eligible for ACF certification
without taking additional exams. No work experience
is required, and there is no cost for the certification if
applicants are ACF members. Qualifying candidates
can save time and money. Simply fill out the résumé
form on the adjacent page.
Graduates of an ACFEF-accredited culinary-arts
certificate program can take advantage of the same
“Since our program is ACFEF-accredited, I
tell students to take advantage of no-cost ACF
certification and make it a part of their overall vitae,”
Carmel says. “Credentialing is important for self-
esteem and validates the skills you have obtained.”
Prove your skills
Michael Riggs, CEC, Ph.D., associate professor of
culinary arts at Bowling Green Technical College,
Bowling Green, Ky., includes ACF certification in
his orientation and encourages students to become
Graduates from Midwest Culinary Institute, Cincinnati,
home to an ACFEF-accredited program, are eligible to
earn ACF certification with no additional testing or cost.
Here, Alan Neace, CEC, AAC, culinary instructor, critiques
the work of Heidi Raymond, left, and Terah Turner.
“The letters after your name are proof that you have
earned the right to be called a chef through training,
testing and hard work. ACF certification will make an
impact on your success in this profession.”
If you are a graduate of a culinary program that is
not accredited by ACF, certification is still obtainable
with the appropriate education, including three
mandatory courses, qualifying work experience and
testing. The table at the bottom of the page illustrates
the requirements needed for certification.
For More Information
Don’t miss a chance to earn ACF certification,
at no additional testing or cost for many. Invest
in your career and future. For more information,
contact the Certification Department at (800)
624-9458 or visit
www.acfchefs.org and click on
the “certify“ tab.
To find out if you attend one of the 363
accredited postsecondary programs that are in
203 institutions worldwide, visit
www.acfchefs.
org/Source/Schools/ Postsecondary.cfm.
Certification level
Certified culinarian (CC®)
Certified pastry culinarian (CPC®)
Education
High school diploma or GED
or 100 continuing-education hours (CEHs)
or culinary-arts program certificate (1 year)
or associate degree in culinary arts
or ACFEF Apprenticeship Program graduate
Experience
(must be within the past 10 years)
2 years entry-level culinarian
1 year entry-level culinarian
No culinarian experience required
Additional requirements
Written exam
Practical exam
(exempt if graduate of
ACFEF-accredited program)
