The ACF will return to campus March 5-10 to use the state-of-the-art kitchens at the Vistatech Center as candidates pursue one of the most respected and rigorous certifications in the culinary profession.
Schoolcraft College will be the focus of the culinary universe this month.
Some of the nation’s most accomplished chefs will gather in the College’s kitchens this spring as it hosts the prestigious American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certified Master Chef® (CMC) examination.
The ACF will return to campus March 5-10 to use the state-of-the-art kitchens at the Vistatech Center as candidates pursue one of the most respected and rigorous certifications in the culinary profession. The CMC exam has taken place at Schoolcraft College since 2017, with the College last hosting the exams in 2022.
Eligibility for the CMC exam is highly selective. Candidates must already hold the designation of Certified Executive Chef® (CEC®) or Certified Culinary Educator® (CCE®). In addition, applicants must submit letters of recommendation from current CMCs or Certified Master Pastry Chefs® (CMPC®), as well as demonstrate successful completion of advanced coursework in sanitation and food safety, management, cost control and wine studies.
The Certified Master Chef designation represents the pinnacle of culinary achievement. It recognizes demonstrated mastery of culinary competence through advanced education, extensive professional experience, technical expertise and consistent execution at the highest level of the craft.
Three chefs will sit for the full CMC examination this spring, while an additional four chefs will participate in a hands-on educational assessment program conducted in conjunction with the exam.
“It is an honor to welcome the CMC exam back to Schoolcraft College,” said Brian Beland, CMC, chair of Schoolcraft College’s Culinary Arts Department. “Serving as host for this rigorous examination reflects the high standards of professionalism and excellence we uphold in our kitchens. We look forward to welcoming the ACF and American Master Chefs Order back to campus and showcasing Schoolcraft College to the culinary community.”
Schoolcraft College will play a major role in making the exam a success. The College’s chefs will create the mystery baskets each chef will use to create their dishes, and the College’s Media Services team – along with a former culinary arts faculty member – will provide commentary on the program throughout the week.
Often described as a proving ground for culinary mastery, the CMC credential is held by approximately 80 chefs worldwide. Four Certified Master Chefs currently serve on Schoolcraft College’s faculty, and five additional CMCs or CMPCs are retired chef instructors from the institution.
This spring marks the fourth time Schoolcraft College has hosted the CMC examination, with previous exams held in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022.
The 2026 exam will also be the first conducted at the College following the 2023 expansion of the Vistatech Center. Renovations included enhancements to the American Harvest dining room, the addition of The Craft Grille, and the debut of the Collaborative Learning Studio—a demonstration kitchen that stands among the finest instructional facilities in the Midwest.
Members of the public are invited to observe portions of the examination from the Collaborative Learning Studio or through designated viewing areas within the Vistatech Center, located at 18600 Haggerty Road in Livonia.
For more information about the Certified Master Chef credential and those who have earned it, visit americanmasterchefsorder.org.