American Culinary Federation
Train Staff in Six Months with an
ACFEF Culinary Skills
Fundamentals Program “You can compare culinary
apprentices to cast iron skillets. It takes time to heat up and season, but once it’s there, it stays hot, cooks evenly, doesn’t stick and lasts for a long time.”
-- Michael Schnitzer, CEC, program coordinator, Bridges of America - Orlando
“The ACFEF Culinary Skills
Fundamentals Program is now a part of our Disney culture. There’s nothing like it. It’s our chance to develop our chefs for the future.”
-- Bill Orton, CEC, program coordinator, Disneyland Resort
An American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) Culinary Skills Fundamentals Program is a six month program with 1,000 hours of hands-on training and 30-hour sanitation or food handler’s course. This program teaches apprentices the basic skills needed to begin a culinary career. Apprentices will work under the supervision of an ACF-certified chef and become competent in the following fundamentals: Sanitation and Safety Tools and Equipment Knife Skills Cold Kitchen – Pantry Hot Kitchen Start a program and experience the benefits: •
Train staff to industry standards and unique workplace conditions
•
Increase staff retention as students become committed and loyal employees
•
Satisfaction of mentoring and seeing an apprentice graduate and embark on a successful culinary career.
American Culinary Federation | 180 Center Place Way | St. Augustine, FL 32095 | (800) 624-9458 | www.acfchefs.org/Apprenticeship
FAQ’s Why should I start a program? Starting an ACFEF Culinary Skills Fundamentals program allows you to develop the skills and experience you are looking for in employees. It’s also a great recruitment and retention tool.
Why should I start a program with ACFEF? As a registered ACFEF Culinary Skills Fundamentals program, you don’t need to create a program of your own. You will have access to a list of skills that the apprentice should learn for each fundamental. Upon successful completion of the program, the apprentice will receive a certificate of completion and will have taken the first steps towards ACF certification.
How do I start a program? As part of the application process, you will need to submit a program summary, resume and qualifications of supervising chefs, and source of 30-hour sanitation or food-handler’s course. Your application will be accepted, rejected, or a request for additional information will be sent within 30 days. Once accepted, the program will receive temporary status and you can start registering apprentices. Apprentices will receive a confirmation letter and logbook from ACFEF. Within 3-6 months, ACFEF will conduct a site visit to be reviewed by the ACFEF National Apprenticeship Committee (NAC) for program recognition status. Recognized programs must submit an annual report and fee each year for ACFEF to maintain current records.
How long is recognition granted for? ACFEF has established an ongoing program assessment process to ensure training quality. This process includes documented applications, program evaluations, site visits and renewals to grant program recognition. Program recognition is granted to those programs determined by the ACFEF NAC to be substantially in compliance with the standards and procedures in the ACFEF Culinary Skills Fundamentals program operations manual. A program that is fully compliant during a site visit shall receive recognition for five (5) years. If any areas of non-compliance are noted and appropriately responded to prior to the next committee meeting, the program shall be granted recognition for three (3) years. The ACFEF NAC meets twice a year.
What happens during a site visit? Every new program will receive an initial site visit within six months of pre-approval to verify full compliance with ACFEF Culinary Skills Fundamentals program standards. Subsequent renewal site visits will be conducted at the end of each program recognition period or as otherwise deemed necessary.
During a site visit, evaluators will review paperwork and ensure that logbooks are regularly being maintained by the apprentice and approved by the supervising chef. Evaluators will interview the program coordinator, supervising chef and apprentices. There will also be an on-site observation of the kitchen with the apprentices in action. Renewing programs will complete and submit a self-study report prior to the scheduled site visit that includes program status, list of apprentices, resume of supervising chefs and any additional documentation relating to the program.
What costs are involved? There is a one-time program application of $100, as well as an annual program fee of $125. Additionally, the program is responsible for a site visit admin fee of $175 plus all transportation, lodging and meal expenses for evaluators. Every effort will be made to keep these expenses to a minimum. Cost for each apprentice registration is $130 and includes a one-year ACF membership. For questions or additional information, please contact the education department at the ACF national office at educate@ acfchefs.org or (800) 624-9458 for additional support.
American Culinary Federation | 180 Center Place Way | St. Augustine, FL 32095 | (800) 624-9458 | www.acfchefs.org/Apprenticeship
ACFEF Culinary Skills
Fundamentals Program “You can compare culinary
apprentices to cast iron skillets. It takes time to heat up and season, but once it’s there, it stays hot, cooks evenly, doesn’t stick and lasts for a long time.”
-- Michael Schnitzer, CEC, program coordinator, Bridges of America - Orlando
“The ACFEF Culinary Skills
Fundamentals Program is now a part of our Disney culture. There’s nothing like it. It’s our chance to develop our chefs for the future.”
-- Bill Orton, CEC, program coordinator, Disneyland Resort
An American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) Culinary Skills Fundamentals Program is a six month program with 1,000 hours of hands-on training and 30-hour sanitation or food handler’s course. This program teaches apprentices the basic skills needed to begin a culinary career. Apprentices will work under the supervision of an ACF-certified chef and become competent in the following fundamentals: Sanitation and Safety Tools and Equipment Knife Skills Cold Kitchen – Pantry Hot Kitchen Start a program and experience the benefits: •
Train staff to industry standards and unique workplace conditions
•
Increase staff retention as students become committed and loyal employees
•
Satisfaction of mentoring and seeing an apprentice graduate and embark on a successful culinary career.
American Culinary Federation | 180 Center Place Way | St. Augustine, FL 32095 | (800) 624-9458 | www.acfchefs.org/Apprenticeship
FAQ’s Why should I start a program? Starting an ACFEF Culinary Skills Fundamentals program allows you to develop the skills and experience you are looking for in employees. It’s also a great recruitment and retention tool.
Why should I start a program with ACFEF? As a registered ACFEF Culinary Skills Fundamentals program, you don’t need to create a program of your own. You will have access to a list of skills that the apprentice should learn for each fundamental. Upon successful completion of the program, the apprentice will receive a certificate of completion and will have taken the first steps towards ACF certification.
How do I start a program? As part of the application process, you will need to submit a program summary, resume and qualifications of supervising chefs, and source of 30-hour sanitation or food-handler’s course. Your application will be accepted, rejected, or a request for additional information will be sent within 30 days. Once accepted, the program will receive temporary status and you can start registering apprentices. Apprentices will receive a confirmation letter and logbook from ACFEF. Within 3-6 months, ACFEF will conduct a site visit to be reviewed by the ACFEF National Apprenticeship Committee (NAC) for program recognition status. Recognized programs must submit an annual report and fee each year for ACFEF to maintain current records.
How long is recognition granted for? ACFEF has established an ongoing program assessment process to ensure training quality. This process includes documented applications, program evaluations, site visits and renewals to grant program recognition. Program recognition is granted to those programs determined by the ACFEF NAC to be substantially in compliance with the standards and procedures in the ACFEF Culinary Skills Fundamentals program operations manual. A program that is fully compliant during a site visit shall receive recognition for five (5) years. If any areas of non-compliance are noted and appropriately responded to prior to the next committee meeting, the program shall be granted recognition for three (3) years. The ACFEF NAC meets twice a year.
What happens during a site visit? Every new program will receive an initial site visit within six months of pre-approval to verify full compliance with ACFEF Culinary Skills Fundamentals program standards. Subsequent renewal site visits will be conducted at the end of each program recognition period or as otherwise deemed necessary.
During a site visit, evaluators will review paperwork and ensure that logbooks are regularly being maintained by the apprentice and approved by the supervising chef. Evaluators will interview the program coordinator, supervising chef and apprentices. There will also be an on-site observation of the kitchen with the apprentices in action. Renewing programs will complete and submit a self-study report prior to the scheduled site visit that includes program status, list of apprentices, resume of supervising chefs and any additional documentation relating to the program.
What costs are involved? There is a one-time program application of $100, as well as an annual program fee of $125. Additionally, the program is responsible for a site visit admin fee of $175 plus all transportation, lodging and meal expenses for evaluators. Every effort will be made to keep these expenses to a minimum. Cost for each apprentice registration is $130 and includes a one-year ACF membership. For questions or additional information, please contact the education department at the ACF national office at educate@ acfchefs.org or (800) 624-9458 for additional support.
American Culinary Federation | 180 Center Place Way | St. Augustine, FL 32095 | (800) 624-9458 | www.acfchefs.org/Apprenticeship
