Certifications & Competitions

Congratulations to the following Chefs

Recent Certifications & Recertifications

Certification

For over 45 years, the ACF has been the premier certifying body for cooks and chefs in America. The ACF Certification program offers 15 certification levels to make the chef a more valuable candidate for hiring and promotion -- which can help increase his or her salary. Culinarians achieve certification based on education, experience, and successful completion of written and practical exams. The ACF's certification program is the only culinary program with stackable credentials and is recognized throughout the industry as the standard for excellence in professional skills and knowledge.

Start earning one of the 16 professional certifications offered by the ACF.

Para información en español haz click aquí.

ACF Certification requires the earner to renew every 3-5 years. Recertify now.

Certification goes digital. Validate and share your credential on the online marketplace.

Certifications require a written and a practical exam. Click here to register for an ACF exam or learn more about certification exams.

Invest in your employees and business with ACF Certification.

Find out about all the ways ACF Certification brings value to the Culinary Industry.

Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques. Explore our ever-evolving continuing education opportunities.

Hosting a practical exam or evaluating an exam? Click here for all the information you'll need.

The ACF Certification Commission works to guide and strengthen the certification program. Click here for the latest updates and information

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Have questions or want to learn more about ACF certification? Join our Facebook group!

Click here to contact the ACF Certification Department.

Competitions

Competitions play a vital role in culinary arts as they continually raise the standards of culinary excellence. There is no better way for a culinarian to hone their craft than by putting their skills and knowledge to the test in a competitive format.

Participation in ACF approved competitions will also earn you continuing education hours for ACF certification.

ACF Competition Calendar

View upcoming competitions.

ACF Competition Manuals

• Professional Competition Manual (3.19 MB)
• Student Competition Manual (4.5 MB) - Updated 10/16/2019

• 2020 Student Teams Competition and Judging Standards (2.9 MB)
• 2019-2020 Student Competition Program (1.6 MB) - Updated 10/16/2019

ACF Approved Culinary Competition Judges

No current member of the Culinary Competition Committee can judge a team from their school or an employee from their workplace in any competition during their time as chair or a Committee Member. Acting in a support capacity (i.e. coach, mentor, etc.) is also considered a direct conflict of interest.
- Retroactive policy from May 10, 2018

Add Credibility to Your Competition

Register your competition with ACF.

Baron H. Galand Culinary Knowledge Bowl

Teams of student culinarian members compete in a double elimination, jeopardy-style competition for the chance to become national champions. More

Student Team

Each year, four student teams prove themselves worthy of a greater challenge—the ACF Student Team Championship.

ACF Culinary Team USA

ACF Culinary Team USA exemplifies professionalism and creativity in major international culinary competitions. More

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Share your love of competing with others on our Facebook group!