Certified Club Culinary Director Application

Becoming a Certified Club Culinary Director (CCCD) through the Club + Resort Chef Association requires a combination of education, certification, and experience. Candidates must complete a comprehensive application and submit supporting documentation, including their resume, professional references, and letters of recommendation.

To achieve CCCD certification, candidates must successfully submit the following criteria:

• A certificate proving the successful completion of one of the following certifications (current status not required):
  • World Association of Chefs' Societies: Worldchefs Certified Master Chef (WCMC)
  • American Culinary Federation: Certified Master Chef® (CMC)
  • World Association of Chefs Societies: Worldchefs Certified Executive Chef (WCEC)
  • American Culinary Federation: Certified Executive Chef® (CEC)
• A certificate proving the successful completion of one of the following (current status not required):
  • American Culinary Federation's Certified Culinary Administrator® (CCA)
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• A certificate proving the successful completion of advanced wine training
• A certificate proving the successful completion of food safety training
• A certificate proving attendance at a Chef to Chef Conference or PlateCraft
• A letter of recommendation explicitly written for CCCD certification detailing their character and commitment to culinary and operational excellence written by either a board member, a board of governors, or someone with the following title within a club or resort operation: General Manager, CEO, COO, or CFO.
• A letter of recommendation explicitly written for CCCD certification detailing the candidate's proven track record of team management, organizational and coaching skills written by either a GM, CEO, COO, CFO, a member of an educational entity, an ACF Certified Master Chef, or a Worldchefs Certified Master Chef.
• Five of the following electives must be achieved:
  • • Earned a gold or silver medal in a culinary competition sanctioned by the ACF or WACS
    • Competed in the IKA Culinary Olympics, Bocuse D’or, International Catering Cup, Hotelympia (London) or Culinary World Cup
    • Published an industry-related article in a relevant periodical, cookbook, or food industry website
    • Presented at a Chef to Chef Conference, PlateCraft or Club + Resort Chef Webinar
    • Competed in the Club + Resort Chef of the Year competition
    • Held the position of Executive Chef at a Platinum Club® for three consecutive years
    • Coached or mentored a ProStart or Skills USA culinary team in preparation for competition
    • Attended at least two culinary continuing education events in the past five years
    • Mentored culinary apprentices, ran an apprenticeship program, or evaluated at an apprentice graduation
    • James Beard Foundation Guest Chef at the Beard House
    • Inducted into the Honorable Order of the Golden Toque
    • Featured Chef of an Escoffier Society, Les Dames d'Escoffier International, Chaîne des Rôtisseurs or American Academy of Chefs Event
    • Member of the American Academy of Chefs
    • Recipient of a Michelin star, four or five stars from Forbes, or four or five diamonds from AAA
    • Recipient of a James Beard Foundation Award
    • Chair of an advisory board for Club + Resort Chef or Club + Resort Business
    • Completed a strategic leadership course
    • Advisory board for a culinary school
    • Currently sitting on a foodservice industry steering committee
    • Philanthropic participation in a not-for-profit organization that feeds or nourishes those in need
    • Certified Club Manager (CCM) through the Club Management Association of America

Please verify your name and information and submit the required documentation. Your submission will be reviewed by a panel of your peers and you will receive further correspondence shortly.

The CCCD certification must be renewed every five years. To renew, certified individuals must mentor at least one chef through the CCCD or CCEC certification process.