I have my red seal as a cook. I was wondering if you could clear up a few questions about being a certified Chef de Cuisine. How does being a CCC affect your career outlook?
The CCC program has over the past 15 years become one of the key career qualifying outcomes for professional chefs. The course and practical exams set a very high standard of achievement by which employers do not have to rely on the word of an job applicant as to whether they have the necessary skill sets to accomplish tasks expected of chef management. Employers have become increasing skeptical of perceived skills in a resume that do not have written proof of accomplishment and or set industry standards accepted by leading hotel groups and culinary colleges.
Do many employers actively seek out candidates with this certificate?
Most certainly! Major employers, and especially managers and chefs who are CCF Members, pursue candidates with a CCC designation. As do leading colleges for instructors when training resources have been set aside by budget cuts for most forms of pedagogical teacher training.
What category of employer would specifically seek out this kind of candidate?
Major hotel groups, Corporate Chefs, Specialty Restaurants and Culinary Instructors
Aside from being a measure of education and experience, what specific benefits would this level of certification provide for a career chef?
Personal accreditation that one has invested in career development, a CCC Chef has knowingly set his/her skill sets to a level that others seek to achieve. No one can question one’s dedication to high standards of production unless one chooses to do otherwise.
I’m really interested in this program but I would really appreciate some reassurance that my time and effort would have a good return value in an industry that is often seen as a bad investment in general.
I suggest you discuss this concern with a CCC recipient in evaluating what they have achieved and the respect given for taking learning processes to the next level.