Having recently completed the CFSP (Certified Food Service Professional) training course, John Whitehouse, chair of the UK’s Catering Equipment Suppliers Association (CESA), has urged industry colleagues to follow his lead. Whitehouse joins more than 500 British foodservice industry professionals who have CFSP accreditation.
CFSP is becoming, says CESA “widely recognised as an accreditation that demonstrates the knowledge, expertise and professionalism of the holder”. However, the Association has found that, while the training is very popular with middle management, some senior managers in the foodservice industry seem reluctant to put themselves on the course.
Taking the plunge
“I can understand the feeling,” says Whitehouse. “A key issue is time – most of us are time-poor and doing the CFSP course eats into it. It was certainly a reason I held back. But you know what? If you want to make the time, you can. There’s also maybe the thought that we know it all already (trust me, we don’t), and perhaps a little bit of embarrassment that we haven’t done it before – and the fear that we may not pass.”
“Having completed it I can honestly say that the course is a real eye-opener – it’s given me insights into the workings of the industry that will be hugely valuable in both my work and my role in CESA. I only wish I’d taken the plunge sooner. My message to senior managers is: sort out whatever is holding you back, and do your CFSP.”
As well as being chair of CESA, Whitehouse is managing director of First Choice Group. Having taken the CFSP challenge he’s now encouraging his colleagues to do the same. “I have four of my senior leadership team signed up for courses in June and December, with more to follow,” he says.
Further details:
CFSP is run by CESA and is accredited by the University of West London. Its objective is to support, develop and increase levels of knowledge within the industry by giving foodservice professionals a complete understanding of how catering businesses and commercial kitchens work.
The next CFSP seminar and exam will be held on the 20 and 21 June at SMEG UK in Abingdon. For information on CFSP courses visit www.CFSP.org.uk or contact CESA.
CESA is the authoritative voice of the catering equipment industry, representing over 190 companies who supply, service and maintain all types of commercial catering equipment – from utensils to full kitchen schemes. For more information on CESA visit www.cesa.org.uk
