Lodging Professional Certification Program

Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE)

Download CFBE Application

Today, a food and beverage manager must be an expert at providing quality service amid growing competition, technological innovation, an increasingly sophisticated and demanding clientele, and liability concerns. Successful managers have outstanding organizational skills, technical proficiency, and a commitment to high standards.

The Certified Food & Beverage Executive (CFBE) designation provides recognition for these skills, around the world.

The CFBE designation may be used on letterhead, business cards, and other writings. The CFBE lapel pin and wall plaque are the visible symbols of the holder's status and achievement.

Once certified, designees are automatically enrolled in the CFBE Recertification Program, which recognizes and rewards continuing efforts toward hospitality career growth. A portfolio to help track professional-development activities is provided. Every five years, the Certification Commission will recertify those who qualify based on their accomplishments. A new, jeweled lapel pin (reflecting the number of years certified) and certificate are awarded at the time of each recertification.

Qualifications for CFBE Certification

Because individual backgrounds vary widely in the hospitality industry, applicants may pursue the CFBE designation through one of three options: Plan A emphasizes an education background; Plan B emphasizes industry experience; and Plan C emphasizes early entry. All plans require documented evidence of managerial experience and successful completion of a comprehensive examination.

Plan A Eligibility -- Education Emphasis

• At least a 2-year hospitality degree from an accredited institution
  OR
  Successful completion of the Educational Institute's 5-course Food and Beverage Management Specialization
• Current employment as an executive-level manager in hotel food and beverage administration, food and beverage director/general manager in a restaurant facility, or executive chef, with at least two years of full-time experience in one or more such positions.

Plan B Eligibility -- Experience Emphasis

• Current employment as an executive-level manager in hotel food and beverage administration, food and beverage director/general manager in a restaurant facility, or executive chef, with at least three years of full time experience in one or more such positions.
• Educators Only: Currently teaching hospitality management courses on a full-time basis at an accredited academic institution; two years of experience in this capacity; two years of full-time experience in food and beverage management.

Plan C Eligibility -- Early Entry

Plan C requires a candidate to hold a qualifying position at the time of application. Plan C does not have an education requirement, but a degree will reduce the length of time you are required to spend in a qualifying position.

Through Plan C you can begin working on your CFBE designation and demonstrating your commitment to professional development the first day on the job. Plan C enables you to take the CFBE certification test up to three times so you can gauge your progress and knowledge against an industry proven standard. You no longer need to wait to see if you meet the benchmark of industry quality. You can prove it, and pursue a strong professional development regimen. This plan will allow individuals who are in qualifying positions to pursue their certification even if they are lacking in experience.

A Plan C candidate who is in a qualifying position:

• May sit for the examination BEFORE meeting the experience requirement.
• May take the examination up to 3 times.
• May sit for the examination while in the process of completing a hospitality degree.
• Will be required to submit documentation of employment at the time the experience requirement is met.

*A corporate executive is defined as an individual, employed by a firm responsible for the operation of three or more properties, who serves as a regional or corporate director of operations, or has ultimate corporate responsibility for rooms, marketing, accounting and finance, food and beverage, human resources, or engineering.

How to Apply for CFBE Certification

1. Print the application form, complete and return it by mail or fax, along with all supporting documentation and the application/examination fee. You must have Adobe Acrobat to view this application form. Click Adobe Acrobat to download program.
2. Ask your supervisor to complete and return the CFBE Recommendation/Employment Verification Form that comes with the application. (Owners/operators may use a CFBE, regional/area director, or corporate executive as a reference.) Within three weeks, the Educational Institute will review the application and send notification of acceptance.
3. Successfully complete the CFBE comprehensive exam through a group certification-review class or through an approved proctor. (Consult the calendar for information on review classes and examination sessions.)
4. Streamlining Exam Preparation Time

A number of resources are available to help prepare for the CFBE comprehensive examination:

• CFBE Study Guide This guide offers a thorough overview of the CFBE exam material, along with practice questions. Highlights include: Menu Design and Analysis, Kitchen Management/Food Production, Purchasing and Inventory Control, Service, Marketing, Hospitality/Food and Beverage Law.
• CFBE Review Classes and Exam Sessions Participate in an informally led review workshop, then take the CFBE exam. See the calendar for review class and exam sessions scheduling.

All review classes and examination sessions are open to individuals enrolled in the CFBE program unless otherwise stated. Individuals who are enrolled in other certification programs are welcomed to take their examination at any of the public sessions listed. Upon registering for a review class and examination session, a letter of confirmation will be sent to you providing you with more details on the particular program. A typical review class seminar begins at 8:00 a.m. and concludes at noon. After a break for lunch, the comprehensive examination will be proctored. For additional information, contact the Institute by calling (888) 575-8726. All review classes and examination sessions are subject to change without notice. Some programs require a nominal registration fee payable to the sponsoring organization. Please refer to this website for up-to-date listings of review classes and examination sessions.

California Lodging Professionals Who Are Certified Food & Beverage Executives (CFBE)

Mr. Luis Arteta, CFBE	Hilton San Francisco Financial
Mr. Tom Buckley, CFBE	Sheraton Petaluma Hotel
Mr. Kevin Egan, CFBE	Hilton Long Beach Hotel
Mr. Brad Goff, CFBE	Bahia Resort Hotel
Mr. Rodolfo Gutierrez, CFBE	Holiday Inn Los Angeles Int'l Airport
Mr. Ted Kapsalis, CFBE	Holiday Inn Bay Bridge
Ms. Juliana Lai, CFBE	Holiday Inn Golden Gateway
Mr. Gary Lemma, CFBE	Hilton Pasadena
Mr. Jeffrey McGinnis, CFBE	Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront
Ms. Monica Miller, CFBE	Tenaya Lodge
Mr. Peter Milovich, CFBE	Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
Ms. Roisin Mooney, CFBE	Holiday Inn On The Bay
Mr. John Parker, CFBE	San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
Mr. Robert Stair, CFBE	Radisson Hotel and Conference Center
Mr. Fernando Torok, CFBE	Crowne Plaza Hotel
Mr. Catello Vanacore, CFBE	Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach
Mr. Ted Wild, CFBE	Holiday Inn Buena Park Hotel
Mr. Alex Wiley, CFBE	Holiday Inn Mission Valley Stadium
Mr. Keith Wong, CFBE	Cathedral Hill Hotel
Mr. Jim Gallivan, CFBE	Portola Plaza Hotel
Mr. Kostas Hurdakis, CFBE	Holiday Inn Civic Center
Mr. Paul Sanford, CFBE	Anabella Hotel
Mr. Tomas Villalobos, CFBE	Holiday Inn Select
Mr. Beresford Wall, CFBE	Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa