JOIN THE UNITED STATES CHEF ASSOCIATION
TO ACCELERATE YOUR CULINARY ARTS CAREER

The United States Chef Association (USCA) rapidly advances your culinary career through membership, access to professional chefs, education and certifications. The USCA certifies chefs who distinguish themselves from the competition by achieving certifications that advance with experience and expertise.

Founded by nationally recognized chefs, USCA member chefs are devoted to supporting their peers, making the USCA uniquely qualified to elevate and sustain your career pathway.

RECOGNIZING CHEFS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Unlike other culinary arts institutions, universities and academies, USCA is not an alumni organization. It invites all culinary graduates, from all over the world, to join. As an inclusive association, the USCA develops authoritative criteria that unify today’s American culinary arts industry.

With 300-plus years of executive cheffing experience, the USCA’s nationwide advisory board stands ready to provide expertise in all areas of the culinary arts, whatever direction you have chosen for your career.

ONLINE CERTIFICATION FOR CHEFS

The USCA offers its members several levels of online certification. Using our state-of-the-art website certification platform, you can distinguish your credentials through rapid-fire tests that define multiple levels of advance certification for “Culinarians”.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CHEF AND A CULINARIAN?

What differentiates a “Culinarian” from a Chef?

A Chef is a skilled trained professional in charge of all aspects of food production and service in a reputable hotel, restaurant or institution. The Chef is the head cook who is proficient in all areas of food preparation, service, presentations and execution. A Chef may also specialize in one or several specialty ethnic cuisines; Sushi Chef, Spanish Chef or French Chef. The Brigade kitchen cheffing system originated by Georges Auguste Escoffier in the 18th century is still in use today in which chefs are assigned specialty stations in the kitchen such as Saucier, Garde Manger or Patissier. A Chef may be responsible for all cost associated to food production such as labor cost and food cost.

A Culinarian is an indoctrinated chef whom must be knowledgeable of all techniques, methods and formulas—beginning at the farm and ending at the table.

A Culinarian is a chef whom is also versed in biology, chemistry, dietary, nutrition and farming. A highly trained culinary professional whom is aware of today's advanced methods of animal farming, the use of antibiotics, growth hormones, processing and regulations on the metabolic processes. A Culinarian understands the criteria of food for health, diet, processing, allergies, blood types and how they may affect the general public. A Culinarian must understand the cause of food handling related food borne illnesses and how to prevent it.

A Culinarian understands how cuisine contributes to health through diets such as Paleo, Pescetarian, Celiac, Vegan, Raw, the Mediterranean diet and plant-based cooking. A Culinarian achieves that and more, also understanding the connections between cuisine and health, diet and sustainability. A Culinarian calls upon their knowledge of how proteins are, grown, harvested and processed while understanding consumer demands, for example, the Farm to Table movement.

USCA’s accredited Culinarian certifications include:

• Master Culinarian Certified by the USCA
• Executive Culinarian Certified by the USCA
• Master Chef Certified by the USCA
• Executive Chef Certified by the USCA
• Executive Sous Chef Certified by the USCA

 

CONTINUING CHEF EDUCATION

Once you have achieved a certification with the USCA, you will retain that professional title for three years. After that, you may choose to retest at that level or upgrade to the next level of certification.

Your certification title establishes your membership level with the USCA.

It’s easy and affordable to join the United States Chef Association. Just fill out your personal profile here, then submit your professional sized passport photo and payment.

Thank you, aspiring Culinarian! Welcome aboard the United States Chef Association.

Chef Jimmy Nadell
Founder: United States Chef Association