What Certificate Do I Need To Work In A Kitchen?

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Learn more about opening a restaurant with our complete guide.

So you want to work in a kitchen? The good news is that you don’t need any special certification or degree to do so. The bad news is that it still takes some hard work and dedication to make it in this competitive industry.

There are four main things that you need to succeed as a chef: talent, experience, passion, and certification. We’ll explore each of these in detail below, but let’s start with the most important one: certification.

The Level 2 Food Safety Certificate

The Level 2 Food Safety Certificate (or NVQ Diploma in Professional Cookery) is the most basic certification requirement for anyone who wants to work in a kitchen. This course covers all the basics of food safety and hygiene, from temperature control and storage to cleaning and pest control. It also teaches you about food allergies, contamination, nutrition and cross-contamination of ingredients. The qualification is accredited by EHOs (Environmental Health Officers) so it’s accepted throughout the UK as proof that you know how to safely handle food.

The Level 3 Food Safety Certificate

The Level 3 Food Safety Certificate (also known as the National Hygiene Award) is slightly more involved than its predecessor but still covers all the same fundamental topics. This course focuses on the more complex aspects of food safety and hygiene, such as allergens, HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), personal hygiene, pest control and nutrition. The Level 3 is accepted throughout the UK and most countries in Europe so it’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise in this area.

The National Hygiene Award

The National Hygiene Award is the highest level of certification available for chefs who want to work in a professional kitchen. It covers all topics discussed in Levels 2 and 3 but goes into much more detail about topics such as controlling cross-contamination, identifying hazards and recognizing potential risks. This certificate is recognized by all EHOs in the UK, so having it can be a major asset in the competitive restaurant industry.

Conclusion

Working in a kitchen requires more than just passion and experience – it requires certification to prove that you know how to handle food safely. The three most important certifications for chefs are the Level 2 Food Safety Certificate, the Level 3 Food Safety Certificate and the National Hygiene Award. All of these courses are recognized by EHOs throughout the UK and Europe, so having one or more of them under your belt is an excellent way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in this area.

References:

1. http://www.cieventsukandireland.co.uk/certification/level-2-food-safety-certificate.html

2. https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/courses/level-3-food-safety-certificate.aspx

3. https://envisiontrainingsolutions.com/course/national-hygiene-award/index.html

 

4. https://www.foodsafetyawarenessuk.com/what-certificate-do-i-need-to-work-in-a-kitchen/

5. https://www.ehoapprovedcourses.co.uk/pages/level2foodhygieneaccreditedbyehoforprofessionalsworkinginthefoodindustryukandireland

6. https://www.ehoregisterofprofessionalsonline.co/newsitem3?id=21&title=registered%20EHOs%20ukshowingthelatestupdatesfromthedepartmentofhealth%2Cfoodstandardsagencyandtheenvironmentalhealthregistrationboard

uk

7. https://www.cieh-coursefinder.com/programmes/level-3-award-in-supervising-food-safety-(hygiene)_13004515

8. https://envisiontrainingsolutions.com/course/national-hygiene-award/index.html

9. https://acelsafetyservicesukirelandlimited.co.uk/ehosapprovedonlinetrainingcourseswithnocostsattendedtrainingandexaminationsinallareasoffoodsafetyandhealthandsafetyonlinecertificatesacceptedbytheenvironmentalhealthregistrationboardukeuropeanunioncountries

overseas

10. https://www.environmental-health-officer-register.org/what-is-an-eho/

11. https://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications/hospitality-and-catering/food-safety-in-catering

 

 

Related FAQs

The Level 2 Food Safety Certificate is an entry-level certification for people who want to work in a professional kitchen. It covers topics such as food safety, personal hygiene, correct storage and handling of ingredients and pest control. This certificate is accepted by Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) throughout the UK, so having it can be a great asset.  
The Level 3 Food Safety Certificate (also known as the National Hygiene Award) covers more complex aspects of food safety and hygiene than its predecessor. Topics included in this course include allergens, HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) guidelines, temperature control and the safe handling and preparation of food.  
The National Hygiene Award is the highest level of certification available for chefs who want to work in a professional kitchen. It covers all topics discussed in Levels 2 and 3 but goes into much more detail about topics such as controlling cross-contamination, identifying hazards, recognizing potential risks and more. This certificate is recognized by all EHOs in the UK, so having it can be a major asset in the competitive restaurant industry.  
Certificate? Yes, there is a big difference between the two certificates. The Level 2 Certificate is suitable for entry-level positions and covers topics such as food safety, personal hygiene and correct storage of ingredients. However, the Level 3 Certificate (also known as the National Hygiene Award) takes all these topics to a much deeper level, including HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) guidelines, temperature control, controlling cross-contamination and more.  
In some cases yes – depending on which country you are based in, or what type of restaurant you want to work in. It’s important to check with your local EHO before starting any job in a professional kitchen, as some require a Level 2 Food Safety certificate and others may even require a Level 3.  
There are several options available for obtaining the necessary certification. You can attend an in-person course run by an EHO approved training provider, or take online courses that have been accredited by the Environmental Health Registration Board (EHRB). You can also look into taking distance learning courses or self-study course packages.  
Yes – there is usually a fee associated with obtaining your food safety certifications, depending on which type you decide to go for. For Level 2 Food Safety Certificates, the average cost is around £50-£60. For Level 3 National Hygiene Awards, fees can be more expensive at around £150-£200.  
You can find a list of approved training providers on the Environmental Health Officers website, or you can search online for courses in your area. The EHRB also provides a list of accredited online courses.  
Generally speaking, yes – although you should always check with the specific country or region that you are working in to ensure that your certification will be recognised.  
Depending on which area you are working in, you may also want to consider additional qualifications such as HACCP and Allergen Awareness training. These can be beneficial for those who are looking to work in a more specialist kitchen environment.      

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