Foodservice consulting is not a state-licensed discipline like architecture or engineering. Therefore, it’s up to the client to ensure the consultant they hire is adequately trained and experienced, and looking for the FCSI designation is recommended. FCSI is the professional organization for our discipline that “certifies” foodservice consultants through a combination of experience and demonstrated industry knowledge, and only professional members who successfully complete the certification program can use the “FCSI” designation behind their name.

​

​

​

​

 

ASID=The American Society of Interior Designers. ASID’s mission is to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people’s lives. Its more than 38,000 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

 

CFA=Chartered Financial Analyst and is a designation awarded by the CFA Institute to experienced financial analysts who pass examinations in economics, financial accounting, portfolio management, quantitative analysis, security analysis, and ethics.

 

CFSP=Certified Food Service Professional. CFSP is a designation offered by NAFEM (the North American Food Equipment Manufacturers), and designees have achieved a high level of distinction in the foodservice industry. To earn the designation, they are required to successfully complete a written examination along with documented evidence of foodservice activities (e.g. publishing industry-related articles), and they must earn continuing education credits to maintain their credentials.

 

CID=Certified Interior Designer. Each state maintains its own set of criteria for awarding the CID designation. To become a certified interior designer in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the applicant must 1.) Hold a four-year degree interior design degree from an institution accredited by The Council for Interior Design Accreditation 2.) Have two years of monitored experience 3.) Have passed the examination for certification as an interior designer administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ).

 

FCSI=Foodservice Consultants Society International. FCSI is a professional organization for foodservice design and management consultants. FCSI's mission is to promote professionalism in foodservice and hospitality consulting while returning maximum benefits to all members. This organization has over 1,000 members in 35 countries. Members are dedicated foodservice consulting professionals who believe in continuing education and the importance of upholding the FCSI Code of Conduct. See www.fcsi.org for more information.

 

HACCP=Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points. HACCP is a system that uses a combination of proper foodhandling techniques, monitoring procedures, and record keeping to help ensure that food is served safely. In the early 1970s, Pillsbury developed the HACCP system to control and monitor the risks of food products produced for the United States space program.

 

LEED=Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system through the U.S. Green Building Council LEED Professional Credentials and Exams are administered by the Green Building Certification Institute. The credentials, such as LEED Green Associate, demonstrate current knowledge of green building technologies, best practices, and the rapidly evolving LEED Rating Systems.

 

ServSafe is The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s course in proper food handling. Part of that course is devoted to learning how to create an effective HACCP Plan.