Worldchefs Global Hospitality Certification Appeals Procedures

Nature of the Process
The World Association of Chefs Societies Global Hospitality Certification scheme is directed, administered, and managed by the Worldchefs Education Committee. All challenges regarding actions of and by the Worldchefs Education committee are governed by the comprehensive and exclusive regulations contained in these procedures.

This appeal process is the only way to resolve all Worldchefs Certification application, eligibility, assessment, and other certification or recertification challenges, complaints, and/or claims of irregularities.

Participants
The Worldchefs Education Committee, the Certification Appeals Committee and any other authorized representative of the Worldchefs Board, may be involved in deciding matters to be resolved or arising under these procedures.

Time Requirements
The Worldchefs Education Committee will make every effort to follow the time requirements noted in these appeal procedures. However, the Worldchefs Education Committee failure to meet a time requirement will not prohibit the consideration or final resolution of any matter arising under these procedures. Worldchefs Certification applicant or certificants are required to comply with all time requirements specified in this document. Unless provided otherwise, time extensions or postponements may be granted by the Worldchefs Education Committee if a timely, written request explaining a reasonable cause is submitted, consistent with these procedures.

Confidentiality
In order to protect the privacy of all parties involved in matters arising under these procedures, all material prepared by, or submitted to, The Worldchefs Education Committee will be confidential. Disclosure of material prepared by, or submitted to, the Worldchefs Education Committee is permitted only when specifically authorized by the Worldchefs Education Committee policy, the Board of Directors, the Certification Appeals Committee, or the Worldchefs President.

Failure to Disclose/Improper, False, or Misleading Representations
Where an applicant or certificant fails to disclose information related to certification or recertification requested by the Worldchefs Education Committee, or where an applicant or certificant makes an improper, false, or misleading representation to the Worldchefs Education Committee, the Worldchefs President, Certification Appeals Committee, the Board of Directors, or other authorized representative may penalize or discipline the individual, and/or issue corrective action related to such failure or improper representation. The Worldchefs Education Committee may temporarily or permanently prevent and bar an individual from being certified or recertified, or may issue any other appropriate directive(s).

Party Conduct/Failure to Cooperate
All parties must behave in a courteous and professional manner when communicating with Worldchefs Education Committee representatives. Where an applicant or certificant fails or refuses to cooperate fully with the Worldchefs Education Committee concerning matters arising under, or related to, these procedures, and it is determined that the lack of cooperation is without good cause, the Certification Appeals Committee, the Board of Directors, or other authorized representative may penalize or discipline the individual, and/or issue corrective action related to such failure to cooperate. The Worldchefs Education Committee may temporarily or permanently prevent and bar an individual from being certified or recertified, or may issue any other appropriate directive(s).

Certification Application Actions
Under the supervision of the Application Review Committee, the Worldchefs Education Committee will make one of the following determinations and decisions with regard to an applicant application for Worldchefs certification eligibility:

(a) Accept the application;
(b) Request additional or supplemental information; or, (c) Reject the application on the ground(s) that the applicant does not meet the relevant certification eligibility requirements, or the applicant has violated, or acted contrary to, a Worldchefs Certification policy or rule.

Content of a Request for Review
An applicant or certificant may submit a written request for review of an adverse certification-related action or decision by notifying the Worldchefs Education Committee in writing. The applicant or certificant must state and explain in detail the nature of the request and the specific facts and circumstances supporting the request, including all reasons why the action or decision should be changed or modified. The applicant or certificant must also provide accurate copies of all supporting documents.

Time Period for Submitting Request for Review
In order for a request for review to be considered by the Worldchefs Education Committee, the written request must be received by Committee within thirty (30) days of the date of the adverse action.

Certification Appeals Committee
At least three (3) members of the Worldchefs Education Committee will be appointed to serve as the Certification Appeals Committee to resolve appeals or referred matters. Subject to the limitations set forth in these procedures, the Certification Appeals Committee will hear and resolve a first appeal where the matter has been referred by an applicant or certificant is dissatisfied with the final informal review and action of Worldchefs Education Committee, and requests an appeal consistent with these procedures.

Grounds for Appeal
In order for an appeal to be considered by the Certification Appeals Committee, the appeal submission must contain substantial information supporting at least one of the following grounds:

a. The applicant’s eligibility to sit for the Certification Examination(s), or other eligibility for certification, was denied incorrectly;
b. The applicant’s Certification Documentation was assessed incorrectly, or was not credited with an appropriate feedback, and as a direct result of the incorrect assessment the applicant did not receive their certification.

Content of Appeal
In order for an appeal to be considered by the Certification Appeals Committee, the appeal submission must contain the following information:

a. A detailed explanation of the reasons and basis for the appeal, as defined and limited by Section above
b. All objections, corrections, and factual information the applicant or certificant believes to be relevant to the appeal
c. The names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses, if available, of any persons with factual information relevant to the appeal, and a clear description of the factual information available from these persons; and,
d. Copies of any and all relevant documents, exhibits, or other information the applicant or certificant wants to submit in support of the appeal.

Time Period for Submitting Appeal
An applicant or certificant seeking to present an appeal must submit a written, signed appeal, consistent with the requirements of these procedures, to the Certification Appeals Committee within thirty (30) days of the date of the final action and decision of the Worldchefs Education Committee.

Appeal Deficiencies
The Certification Appeals Committee Chair may require the applicant or certificant to clarify, supplement, or amend an appeal submission.

Appeal Rejection
If the Certification Appeals Committee Chair determines that an appeal does not meet the appeal requirements or otherwise warrant further formal review, consistent with the requirements set forth in these procedures, the appeal will be rejected. The Certification Appeals Committee Chair will notify the applicant or certificant of the rejection, as well as the reason(s) for the rejection, by letter within thirty (30) days of the determination. Appeal rejection determinations are not subject to appeal.
Conditions for Closing the Appeal
An appeal will be closed, and all proceedings ended, when any of the following occurs:

a. An appeal has been resolved and decided by the Certification Appeals Committee, or the Board of Directors, and the allowable time period for the filing of an appeal under these procedures and rules has passed or lapsed; or,
b. The appeal has been withdrawn or terminated by the applicant or certificant.

To contact Worldchefs regarding an appeal, please click here