Education

USPCA brings education to your doorstep to improve your business and culinary skills. From business management to planning to culinary arts, your association is a one-stop destination for your Personal Chef business education needs.

From the National Education Conference to the e-learning portal, USPCA regularly adds courses for members.

USPCA also awards the prestigious Certified Personal Chef credential to those Personal Chefs who meet the demanding criteria to hold this credential. It is the ideal way to separate yourself in your field and have your clients recognize you for your expertise and experience.

Food Safety Manager Certification and Training

The USPCA has partnered with the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals to provide an easy and affordable method to attain food safety credentials, including food manager and handler certificates. All National Registry programs are nationally accredited, and the National Registry is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Restaurant Association.

A valid food manager certification is not required for most personal chef businesses operating outside a client’s home. Still, it is a requirement for USPCA certification and desirable for membership. However, members must have proof of completing a food handler certificate course successfully. Having the credentials and demonstrating a core understanding of food safety knowledge is important and sends a clear commitment message to your clients.

USPCA members get access to discounted training and exams. After joining, the key to taking the food manager certification program is available on the Members Only portal. However, food handler training is open to members and non-members.

Food Handler Training Certificate Program – $12.95

The online Food Handler Training certificate program provides Personal Chefs with the knowledge to handle food safely. The Food Handler Training course and assessment is based on the current state of food safety knowledge, regulations, and requirements and is recommended for people involved in preparing, handling, serving, and displaying food. It is available to both members and non-members.

Enroll in the Food Handler Course

Tailored Taste Personal Chef Coaching for New Personal Chefs

For new and experienced chefs, receive a one-on-one email, video, and telephone training/coaching. Chef Monica Thomas, a Certified Personal Chef, is a long-time member of the USPCA and owner of Tailored Taste Personal Chef Service in the Washington, D.C. area. She has a thriving Personal Chef business. She has successfully worked with many chefs and helped them navigate the intricacies and challenges of starting and being effective as a Personal Chef. You can purchase single hours or save with an 8-hour block. With her coaching, you may cover topics such as:

• What is a “typical” Personal Chef service
• The difference between a 5×4 or a 4×6 service and what services you are interested in promoting
• What to take in your Personal Chef kit
• Contracts, food questionnaires, and client expectations
• Effective costing
• Containers
• Fresh serve, refrigerate, and freezing options within your own particular business
• Any other questions or issues you are having with your chef business

USPCA members receive discounts on 1-hour and 8-hour blocks. Choose from one of the options at the bottom of the page to get started (members must sign in to view discounted prices).

If you have any questions about starting as a personal chef, contact Angela Prather at 800-995-2138 x705 or [email protected].

Society of Certified Senior Advisors

The CSA difference is due to applying the specialized senior knowledge gained through the accredited CSA course combined with your professional experiences as a Personal Chef and highly ethical behavior to benefit and protect your older adult clients and their families.

Simply put, it takes more than wanting to work with seniors to position yourself to be successful with them – it takes knowing how to work with them. That’s what the Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® education and designation program is all about. It educates you about seniors – how aging works, how it changes seniors’ lives, how it affects their decisions, and how we can apply what we know about growing older to help people grow better! You’ll better understand how to use your skills, how to communicate better with your senior clients and where to find the resources your seniors need.

Your credibility matters – The CSA program is nationally accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Your senior clients can take an additional measure of confidence in the credibility and value of your CSA credential. Seniors today seek an even higher level of credibility/knowledge from those they do business with – when you add the CSA education to your expertise as a member of USPCA, it gives you a distinct advantage in working with older adults.