Top Quality That Reveals a True Chef, According to Culinary Exam Experts!

Your family has no doubt about it: you are a top-notch chef. Indeed, whipping up a family meal from appetizer to dessert is no daunting task for you. But how can you truly measure your skills in the kitchen? Well, there’s a specific criterion that can quickly pinpoint a skilled cook. This very criterion is used by judges during the culinary certificate (CAP) exams. If you meet this standard, you’ve got serious skills! In an interview on the school’s website, Séverine shared details about her CAP exam experiences and what the judges focused on.

According to Onisep, the professional certificate in culinary arts educates students “in dish preparation and the use of various culinary production techniques.” The website adds that “Over two years, they learn to create dishes from starters to desserts and to plate them using professional techniques.” But that’s not all! Students also learn about hygiene and safety rules, supply and stock management… essentially, everything needed to work in a restaurant. These aspects are all evaluated at the end of the program. Candidates face a series of practical tests that include oral presentations, as well as written theoretical exams. It’s somewhat like Top Chef, except the judges are not there to entertain…

During these exams, the judges pay close attention to one particular ability: the candidates’ capacity to anticipate! During their practical test, each candidate must fill out a scheduling chart. This chart helps them organize their tasks based on the allotted time for the test. For the judges, it’s a direct way to assess whether a candidate knows their recipes well, including the resting, rising, or cooking time required for each ingredient. “Even though it’s not graded, they pay a lot of attention to it,” Séverine explained. Her chart even helped her recover from a mishap…

In the middle of her practical exam, Séverine botched her meringue. No need to panic! She managed to reorganize using her chart. As a result, “the dishes were ready on time, the scheduling chart was correctly filled out and followed to the letter. A judge commented at 10:30 AM: ‘See, you started your French meringue over, and despite everything, you’re still on schedule.’ That felt great!” she shared. So, if you’re the type to meticulously plan everything in a notebook, you’re among the elite chefs.