The Importance of ServSafe Certification

If you’ve worked in the food and service industries, you know how important food safety is to your company and your customers. Think about it: when you go to a restaurant or coffee shop, you want to know that the person handling your food and drink is doing it correctly to prevent the spread of germs. You also want to trust that the food is being stored at the proper temperatures so that you don’t become sick from something spoiled. One bad review or case of food poisoning can damage the reputation of a restaurant. So how can restaurants ensure that every person on staff who may handle food or beverages knows how to do so? The easiest way is through training, testing, and certification.

Most restaurants and coffee shops have their ServSafe certificates posted somewhere visible to guests; it’s an important part of the onboarding process for new hires in food services. Since it’s so important, having ServSafe Certification on your resume can put you ahead of the pack when applying for positions in the food industry. If you’ve been interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality and food industry, the following career programs can help you take the next step to realizing your goals as well as help you understand the importance of getting your ServSafe Certification!

• Caterer Career Diploma. Working in catering or owning your own catering business can be exciting and lucrative, especially during wedding season. The Caterer program covers the professional skills of catering and gourmet cooking, as well as how to start your own business in the industry. Besides learning about different dishes and beverage pairings, you cover different kitchen equipment and food safety. A big part of working in the field is handling food and beverages properly and after completing the program you’ll be prepared to take the National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe Certification exam, which can solidify your safety knowledge and can help you be more in-demand when applying to catering companies! ServSafe Certification ensures your employer and customers can trust that they will not become ill after eating improperly stored or prepared food.
• Gourmet Cooking Certificate. Whether you want to advance in your culinary career or learn how to create gourmet dishes for your family and friends, this program can help you improve your skills! You’ll learn to prepare and plate gourmet dishes and desserts and, if you’re looking to move ahead in your culinary career, you’ll also be able to take the ServSafe certification exam upon completing your studies. Though many students take the Gourmet Cooking program for personal enrichment, it’s important to know the appropriate temperature different dishes should be cooked to, as well as how to recognize when something has gone spoiled. For those who are taking the program to move ahead in their careers, ServSafe Certification reinforces the safe handling of different food and beverages.
• Hotel and Restaurant Management Career Diploma. In this program, you’ll learn the various aspects of the hospitality industry, from front office duties and housekeeping to marketing and management. You’ll also cover different methods of service, menu planning, food preparation and storage, as well as food safety. With the addition of passing and receiving ServSafe certification after completing the program, you can get started on an exciting career managing a hotel or restaurant. As a leader at the hotel or restaurant you manage, you’ll be expected to be an expert in safety, food and otherwise. Becoming ServSafe Certified will help you better understand the reasoning behind certain methods of food preparation, as well as help you to confidently speak to the employees you’re in charge of about proper storage and care of food and beverages.
• Retail Supervisor Career Diploma. If you’re looking to move ahead in your current position or want to change direction in your career, this program can help you take that next step. Working as a supervisor in the food industry can often require in-depth knowledge of food safety and regulatory practices, in addition to standard management and leadership training. For many supervisor positions, taking and passing the ServSafe certification exam is a MUST. The employees you manage will come to you with questions about where to store something or how long something should be on the shelves, and you need to be confident and knowledgeable in your answers.

ServSafe Certification is so essential to certain workplaces that many employers in the hospitality and food industries require an employee to take and pass the exam within a certain time frame after being hired. Besides ensuring that you understand food safety and quality control measures, having the ServSafe certificate with your name on it posted on the wall of your workplace will make others feel more confident about your store or restaurant, which can help lead to a successful career for you!