The Philippines’ top culinary school, Center for Culinary Arts (CCA Manila) has partnered with a North American professional chefs organization to provide world-class culinary education.
The American Culinary Federation (ACF), established in 1929, has a certification program considered throughout the world as the standard for excellence in professional skills and knowledge in the culinary industry.
“Since 2011, CCA Manila is the site of certification tests, both for practical and written examinations. To be an accredited test site, the institution should be recognized by the ACF through its ACFEF accredited programs. As of 2019, CCA Manila remains to be the only institution recognized by ACF in the Asia Pacific region as an ACF test site,” said Dr. Veritas F. Luna, chancellor for education of CCA Manila.
In the latter part of 2019, CCA Manila was again the test site for ACF professional certification in the Asia Pacific region.
“Professionals come to CCA Manila for their certification tests due to confidence in our brand and proximity,” said Dr. Luna.
The practical test took only about one to one-and-a-half hour, but the rigors of preparing to successfully hurdle the practical test took at least six months per candidate. Before a professional could take the test, an application accompanied with the evidence of education, qualifications, and industry experience and a pre-approval fee are submitted for review to the ACF Committee.
In addition, continuing education hours in nutrition, food safety, and supervisory management were basic requirements, and higher certification levels required additional education updates on beverage management and cost control management.
“Our CCA faculty candidates worked hard for their certifications. As of the moment, 100 percent of CCA Manila faculty who pursued the practical tests have passed. The support of the school administrators and owners, including both financial and teaching load reduction, and recognition of the faculty’s positive and sincere effort on this endeavor, is a sure path to successfully acquire their ACF professional certifications soon,” added Dr. Luna.
Likewise, four professional chefs from Taiwan, Guam, Japan, and Cebu passed their practical tests at CCA Manila. Of the 11 candidates, two have been conferred their professional certificates. The rest are now preparing to take their written tests at CCA Manila this 2020.
“CCA Manila is officially affiliated with ACF through the ACFEF accreditation of the academic programs. Since 2006, CCA Manila has continually sought support from the ACF through accreditation of programs, as well as certification of its faculty chef,” explained Dr. Luna.
The culinary institution is now on its fourth round of program accreditation renewal—from 2006, 2010, 2015, to 2020. Through this effort, CCA Manila has assisted a total of 24 professional chefs in the certification at various levels.
“The partnership with the ACF is important to CCA Manila as it ensures compliance to international standards for quality culinary arts education. As the pioneer and leader in culinary arts education in the country, CCA Manila holds the responsibility of offering only the best education to its students for global culinary competence,” she said.
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