Key Certifications for Culinary Careers

By Erik R Johnson

Job Vacancies, Employment Jobs, Employment

There are several key certifications for culinary careers. The first and most important is the Culinary Arts Certificate, which serves as a stepping stone into many careers in this field. As culinary professionals continue their educational path to reach their career goals they may also decide to complete a Chef's Certificate, Master Baker Certificate or any number of other certifications to prove their areas of specialization. Since the Culinary Arts Certificate is one of the most important key certifications for culinary careers, this article will focus on the educational programs for the CAC.

A Culinary Arts Certification program can be completed in two years or less at a technical / vocational school, community college or specialized culinary institute. There are other certificates that may follow depending on whether you want to work in a restaurant, bakery, hotel, catering company or in the management side of things. You will learn about food preparation, nutrition and sanitary practices during your culinary certification. Your courses will include subjects such as Baking and Desserts, Baking for Restaurants, Cooking Poultry/Fish/Meat, Food Service Sanitation and Nutrition for a Healthy Lifestyle.

In order to complete a CAC or any other culinary certificate program, you will need to prove that you have mastered the skills involved in that program. Basic food prep skills will not suffice. Culinary certificate programs involve much more than simply learning how to cook and keep your work station sanitary, too. You will learn how to present dishes, use all the major food preparation methods of the world, take necessary safety precautions, prepare nutritiously balanced meals and properly use all the tools of a chef's kitchen.

After earning a Culinary Arts Certificate you will have an excellent foundation for a rewarding career in the culinary industry ranging from cook to caterer to restaurant manager to food stylist to sommelier. You will also have the foundation to complete more advanced certifications and take your career to the next level. Without any sort of education or certification, however, you will have a more difficult time climbing the steps of the professional culinary ladder.