Calling All Rep Chefs
Introducing the M Chef Collective
Free to Join for All MAFSI Rep Chefs
Join the MAFSI M Chef Collective for Free Today!
The MAFSI M-Chef Collective is the only special interest group dedicated to Rep Firm Chefs, setting the standard for excellence in culinary skills and knowledge. It’s designed to support culinary professionals working in rep firms by providing access to tailored education, shared resources, and a community of peers who understand the unique challenges and opportunities of the rep chef role.
What do we mean by Collective?
A collective is a special group of like-minded professionals—in this case, MAFSI Rep Chefs—coming together to learn, grow, and elevate the role of chefs in the foodservice industry.
Requirement for joining the FREE M Chef Collective:
Only MAFSI Member Rep Chefs who have professional culinary experience can join the M Chef Collective.
If you’re a MAFSI Rep Chef—or thinking about stepping into that role—joining the M Chef Collective could be one of the best moves you can make for your career and your rep firm.
Benefits of Joining the M Chef Collective
Connect with Rep Chefs Nationwide
One of the coolest perks of the M Chef Collective is getting to connect with Rep Chefs from all over the country. Through the MAFSI community, you can meet other chefs who understand what your day-to-day is like. It’s a space where you can swap best practices, share tips and tricks, and even get some mentorship. Plus, it's great to know you’re not alone when facing challenges—a whole group of people is there to support you.
Quarterly Meetings for Learning and Sharing
Being a part of M Chef Collective means you’ll be invited to quarterly meetings with other certified chefs. These meetings are a great way to stay updated on what’s happening within the MAFSI community and discuss what’s next for everyone. You’ll get to:
- Learn about new goals and initiatives the group is working on.
- Help set future goals for the community (your input matters!)
- Share struggles and get feedback from people who’ve been there, done that!
The M Chef Collective is the place for you to learn, grow, and contribute to the direction of the Rep Chef community.
M Chef 1 Star Certification
M Chef 2 Star Certification
M Chef Certification Requirements
Requirement
Description
Applicable?
Point Value
M Chef 1-Star Certification (You must have 6 out of 9 possible points to qualify).
Cost: $249
You must complete the Foodservice 101 curriculum, prior to application at foodservice101.org.
Required
Resume with Work History
You must provide your resume with work history, upon application.
Required
Two Professional References
You must provide two professional references, upon application.
Required
Chef Experience - Chef De Partie
You have worked as a Chef De Partie, running a station in a restaurant or hotel, and were responsible for the station's performance for at least five (5) years.
2
Management
You have managed a team of at least three (3) or more, with references and roles provided.
1
Certification - CFSP
You hold an active Certified Foodservice Professional (CFSP) designation from NAFEM.
2
Certification - ServSafe
You are ServSafe certified at a Manager Level with an active certificate from NRA.
1
Industry Experience
You have worked as a Rep Chef at a Rep Firm for at least 24 months (2 years).
2
Industry Memberships
You have an active membership in at least one Chef Association (e.g. ACF).
1
Exam - Written
Written Exam: Basic equipment, food preparation and culinary knowledge details/issues, oriented around dynamics and scenarios regarding fitting a food program with the right solutions, with a minimum passing score of seventy-five percent (75%).
Required
Total Points Required for M Chef 1 Star Certification
You must have at least 6 points to be eligible for the M Chef Level 1 Star Certification out of 9 possible points.
6 of 9 Points
Price is $249 per Certification
M Chef 2-Star Certification (You must have 9 out of 12 possible points to qualify).
Cost: $249
You have worked as a Sous Chef or second in command of a brigade for two (2) years, or more.
1
Cooking Experience
You have worked as a CDC (Chef de Cuisine) for two (2) years, or more.
2
Chef - Years
You have worked as a professional chef for a minimum of ten (10) years. This time frame can include time as a rep firm chef.
2
Chef Management Experience
You have managed a team of at least ten (10) or more, with references and roles provided.
2
Industry Experience
You have worked as a Rep Chef at a Rep Firm for at least 48 months (4 years).
2
Professional Degree
You hold a Professional Culinary Degree or Certificate.
2
Trade Shows - NAFEM/NRA
You have attended at least two (2) NAFEM or four (4) NRA Shows, or a combination of the two.
1
Exam - Written
Written Exam: Intermediate equipment, food preparation and culinary knowledge details/issues, oriented around dynamics and scenarios regarding fitting a food program with the right solutions, with a minimum passing score of eighty percent (80%).
Required
Exam - Practical
Practical Exam: You will be required to complete a 30-minute live demonstration via Zoom of one piece of cooking or preparation equipment available in your test kitchen. This is a Pass or Fail test.
Required
Total Points Required for M Chef 2 Star Certification
You must have at least 9 points to be eligible for the M Chef 2-Star Certification and be M Chef 1-Star Certified.
9 of 12 Points
M Chef 3 Star Certified (must have 11 points to qualify)
Cost: $249
You have worked as an Executive Chef, experience including managing a culinary operation for two (2) years, or more.
3
Cooking Experience
You have cooked and managed the cooking for over 500 people in one sitting, with a description provided.
2
Chef - Years
You have worked as a professional chef for a minimum of twenty (20) years. This time frame can include time as a rep firm chef.
2
Management
You have managed a team of at least twenty (20) or more, with references and roles provided.
2
Industry Experience
You have worked as a Rep Chef at a Rep Firm for at least ten (10) years.
2
Professional Degree
You hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Science or Food Studies.
1
Sommelier
You have completed wine training Level 1 Sommelier or equivalent.
1
Exam - Written
Advanced equipment, food preparation and culinary knowledge details/issues, oriented around dynamics and scenarios regarding fitting a food program with the right solutions, with a minimum passing score of eighty-five percent (85%).
Required
Exam - Practical
You will be required to complete a 45-minute live demonstration via Zoom on multiple pieces of cooking or preparation equipment available in your test kitchen, targeting the presentation towards a specific market segment of your choosing (ex. K-12 Schools, Healthcare, Stadiums, Fast Casual, etc.). This is a Pass or Fail test.
Required
Total Points Required for M Chef 3 Star Certification
You must have at least 11 points to be eligible for the M Chef Level 2 Star Certification out of 14 possible points.
11 of 14 Points
Requirement
M Chef 1-Star Certification (You must have 6 out of 9 possible points to qualify).
Cost: $249
Resume with Work History
Two Professional References
Chef Experience - Chef De Partie
Management
Certification - CFSP
Certification - ServSafe
Industry Experience
Industry Memberships
Exam - Written
Total Points Required for M Chef 1 Star Certification
M Chef 2-Star Certification (You must have 9 out of 12 possible points to qualify).
Cost: $249
Cooking Experience
Chef - Years
Chef Management Experience
Industry Experience
Professional Degree
Trade Shows - NAFEM/NRA
Exam - Written
Exam - Practical
Total Points Required for M Chef 2 Star Certification
M Chef 3 Star Certified (must have 11 points to qualify)
Cost: $249
Cooking Experience
Chef - Years
Management
Industry Experience
Professional Degree
Sommelier
Exam - Written
Exam - Practical
Total Points Required for M Chef 3 Star Certification
Description
M Chef 1-Star Certification (You must have 6 out of 9 possible points to qualify).
You must complete the Foodservice 101 curriculum, prior to application at foodservice101.org.
You must provide your resume with work history, upon application.
You must provide two professional references, upon application.
You have worked as a Chef De Partie, running a station in a restaurant or hotel, and were responsible for the station's performance for at least five (5) years.
You have managed a team of at least three (3) or more, with references and roles provided.
You hold an active Certified Foodservice Professional (CFSP) designation from NAFEM.
You are ServSafe certified at a Manager Level with an active certificate from NRA.
You have worked as a Rep Chef at a Rep Firm for at least 24 months (2 years).
You have an active membership in at least one Chef Association (e.g. ACF).
Written Exam: Basic equipment, food preparation and culinary knowledge details/issues, oriented around dynamics and scenarios regarding fitting a food program with the right solutions, with a minimum passing score of seventy-five percent (75%).
You must have at least 6 points to be eligible for the M Chef Level 1 Star Certification out of 9 possible points.
Price is $249 per Certification
M Chef 2-Star Certification (You must have 9 out of 12 possible points to qualify).
You have worked as a Sous Chef or second in command of a brigade for two (2) years, or more.
You have worked as a CDC (Chef de Cuisine) for two (2) years, or more.
You have worked as a professional chef for a minimum of ten (10) years. This time frame can include time as a rep firm chef.
You have managed a team of at least ten (10) or more, with references and roles provided.
You have worked as a Rep Chef at a Rep Firm for at least 48 months (4 years).
You hold a Professional Culinary Degree or Certificate.
You have attended at least two (2) NAFEM or four (4) NRA Shows, or a combination of the two.
Written Exam: Intermediate equipment, food preparation and culinary knowledge details/issues, oriented around dynamics and scenarios regarding fitting a food program with the right solutions, with a minimum passing score of eighty percent (80%).
Practical Exam: You will be required to complete a 30-minute live demonstration via Zoom of one piece of cooking or preparation equipment available in your test kitchen. This is a Pass or Fail test.
You must have at least 9 points to be eligible for the M Chef 2-Star Certification and be M Chef 1-Star Certified.
M Chef 3 Star Certified (must have 11 points to qualify)
You have worked as an Executive Chef, experience including managing a culinary operation for two (2) years, or more.
You have cooked and managed the cooking for over 500 people in one sitting, with a description provided.
You have worked as a professional chef for a minimum of twenty (20) years. This time frame can include time as a rep firm chef.
You have managed a team of at least twenty (20) or more, with references and roles provided.
You have worked as a Rep Chef at a Rep Firm for at least ten (10) years.
You hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Science or Food Studies.
You have completed wine training Level 1 Sommelier or equivalent.
Advanced equipment, food preparation and culinary knowledge details/issues, oriented around dynamics and scenarios regarding fitting a food program with the right solutions, with a minimum passing score of eighty-five percent (85%).
You will be required to complete a 45-minute live demonstration via Zoom on multiple pieces of cooking or preparation equipment available in your test kitchen, targeting the presentation towards a specific market segment of your choosing (ex. K-12 Schools, Healthcare, Stadiums, Fast Casual, etc.). This is a Pass or Fail test.
You must have at least 11 points to be eligible for the M Chef Level 2 Star Certification out of 14 possible points.
Applicable?
M Chef 1-Star Certification (You must have 6 out of 9 possible points to qualify).
M Chef 2-Star Certification (You must have 9 out of 12 possible points to qualify).
M Chef 3 Star Certified (must have 11 points to qualify)
Point Value
M Chef 1-Star Certification (You must have 6 out of 9 possible points to qualify).
Required
Required
Required
2
1
2
1
2
1
Required
6 of 9 Points
M Chef 2-Star Certification (You must have 9 out of 12 possible points to qualify).
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Required
Required
9 of 12 Points
M Chef 3 Star Certified (must have 11 points to qualify)
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
Required
Required
11 of 14 Points