Worldchefs Global Culinary Certification, a prestigious skills recognition framework, provides chefs around the world with international recognition, benchmarking their skills and competencies so that they stand out in the competitive job market.
To reach all culinary sectors, including institutions and their students, Worldchefs created the label of Approved Certification Center. By becoming an Approved Certification Center, culinary institutions are able to fast-track the certification process for their students. In doing so, these schools gain a competitive advantage, demonstrating their learning program meets high industry standards and attracting top talent.
Worldchefs Approved Certification Centers are emerging in all corners of the world. In Taiwan, Kai Ping Culinary School has been an active Worldchefs Approved Certification Center for nearly a decade. Read on to hear from the school’s superintendent, Howard Hao-Chun Hsia, and discover how this label has impacted both the school and students’ journeys.
Can you tell us about your institution?
“Creating a delicious dish is not only about technique and artistry—it requires passion, attentiveness, and the creativity that emerges from experience. At Kai Ping Culinary School, our educational philosophy is built upon student-centric learning through thematic teaching, which inspires students’ enthusiasm for gastronomy.
We guide them to reflect, observe, and accumulate life experiences through both academics and daily life, shaping them into motivated lifelong learners. This unique approach empowers our 16 to 18 years of age vocational high school students to develop the competency to become skilled cooks, combining technical expertise with personal growth.
For more than three decades, Kai Ping has been at the forefront of culinary education in Taiwan, setting benchmarks in professional training while integrating sustainability, food and beverage management, and entrepreneurial thinking into our programs. Through this holistic approach, we cultivate technical excellence, GRIT and soft skills that enhances the adaptability and global outlook needed to thrive in the evolving food and hospitality industry.”
Why do you believe certification for your students is important?
“The mastery of skills requires constant practice, refinement, and with the right mindset and determination, ultimately lead to the expression of creativity. However, culinary standards vary across countries, and employers often rely on trial cooking to assess employability. A global standard in certification provides students with a reliable, internationally-recognized validation of their competencies.
Such certification not only helps them secure local opportunities with credibility but also enhances their global mobility by ensuring employers worldwide understand the level of their proficiency. It transforms subjective evaluations into measurable, trusted benchmarks.”
A global standard in certification provides students with a reliable, internationally-recognized validation of their competencies.
Howard Hao-Chun Hsia
What was the fast-track certification process like as an Approved Certification Center?
“Receiving the Worldchefs Education Recognition validated Kai Ping’s program alignment with global standards in curriculum design. The fast-track certification process enabled our graduates to translate their years of training into tangible proof of competency and professional proficiency.
We were highly satisfied with the process, as it not only confirmed the credibility of our students’ achievements but also enhanced their readiness for both global and local employability. Most importantly, it provided them with stronger international mobility, bridging their education with career opportunities worldwide.”
What do you think this certification does for your school and its reputation?
“Culinary schools worldwide adopt diverse teaching philosophies and training models. By obtaining Education Recognition and offering certification to our students, Kai Ping has strengthened both student’s employability and institutional standing on the global stage. This recognition facilitates deeper academic exchange, including student mobility programs, credit transfer opportunities, and professional collaboration across borders.
It also elevates our faculty and institutional profile, fostering international dialogue on both pedagogical innovation and technical expertise. In essence, certification positions Kai Ping as a bridge between local excellence and global standards.”
How do you think this certification will accelerate your students’ careers moving forward?
“Graduating with certification ensures that our students are immediately recognized as qualified professionals under international standards. This credential not only accelerates their entry into the workforce but also opens doors to global opportunities, from fine dining establishments to international hospitality groups.
Moreover, certification can support professional pathways such as skilled migration, advanced studies, or specialized training, offering graduates more options for their future. For our students, this is a milestone and a launchpad toward impactful and sustainable careers in the culinary field.”
Join a Global Network of Education Partners
By becoming a Worldchefs Approved Certification Center, you can:
- Showcase that your training program meets industry standards
- Promote your institution’s dedication to professional excellence to attract talents
- Give your students access to fast-track certification
- Provide students with digital badges to help increase their employability
Are you ready to join our education partners, encompassing over 50,000 hospitality educators, students and alumni?
To learn more, tune in to our recent webinar featuring Worldchefs Education Committee Chair, Andreas Muller, and Worldchefs Managing Director, Ragnar Fridriksson.
To apply, visit https://worldchefs.org/global-culinary-certification/.
