“The Commission evaluates faculty, curriculum, facilities, student services and administrative capability to ensure that the program promotes successful student outcomes,” says David Pantone, CEC, CEPC, CCE, AAC, ACFEF Accrediting Commission chair. “We are proud to recognize these programs as ACFEF accredited.”

Programs at the following schools received ACFEF programmatic accreditation:

Alaska Vocational Technical Center, Seward, Alaska
Renewal accreditation program: Certificate in Professional Cooking and Baking

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Phoenix
Initial accreditation programs: AAS degree in Baking and Pastry; BA degree in Culinary Management
Renewal accreditation program: AAS degree in Culinary Arts

The International Culinary School at The Colorado Institute of Art, Denver
Renewal accreditation program: AAS degree in Culinary Arts

First Coast Technical College, St. Augustine, Fla.
Renewal accreditation program: Certificate in Culinary Operations

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Tampa, Tampa, Fla.
Initial accreditation program: BA degree in Culinary Management

The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College, Indianapolis
Initial accreditation programs: AAS degree in Culinary Arts; AAS degree in Pastry Arts

East Central College, Union, Mo.
Renewal accreditation program: AAS degree in Culinary Arts

L’Ecole Culinaire, St. Louis
Initial accreditation program: AOS degree in Culinary Arts; Diploma in Culinary Essentials

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh
Initial accreditation program: BA degree in Culinary Management
Renewal accreditation program: AAS degree in Culinary Arts

The Pennsylvania School of Culinary Arts, a Division of YTI Career Institute, Lancaster
Initial accreditation programs: ASB degree in Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management; Diploma in Pastry Arts

Culinary Institute of Virginia, Norfolk
Initial accreditation programs: AAS degree in Culinary Arts; Diploma in Culinary Arts

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, Va.
Renewal accreditation program: AAS degree in Culinary Arts

Bellingham Technical College, Bellingham, Wash.
Renewal accreditation programs: AOS degree in Culinary Arts; Certificate in Culinary Arts; Certificate in Pastry Arts

American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) accreditation assures that a program is meeting at least a minimum amount of standards and competencies set for faculty, curriculum and student services. Accreditation creates public trust by ensuring that the program follows established standards, has accountability and credibility standards, and maintains a high level of professionalism and up-to-date practices. ACFEF accreditation also acts as a third-party endorser for federal funding.

To receive accreditation, a program must first submit a self-study. Then, a three-member team performs an on-site evaluation to validate the information submitted in the self-study, which is compiled into a team report. Next, the Accrediting Commission reviews the team report, along with the institution’s self-study, and decides if accreditation will be granted and for how long. An initial grant is for three or five years, while a renewal grant is for three, five or seven years.

The ACFEFAC is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. There are currently 377 postsecondary programs in 203 institutions accredited by the ACFEFAC worldwide.