FEA’s flagship training initiative goes from strength to strength, around the world
FEA has just run Italy’s first CFSP course, with the seminar and final exam being held at the Ali Group’s newly refurbished headquarters in Milan, on 23rd and 24th April. 24 delegates took part, most from Ali Group businesses based in Italy and Spain, with others from companies in Luxembourg, Germany and Finland.
The course was led by Graham Veal MBA FCIM CFSP, founder and managing partner of GCA Management. “The course was a tremendous success,” he says. “The candidates included architects, kitchen designers, project managers, compliance officers and export sales managers, as well as sales and marketing staff – a truly diverse group!”
Veal adds that the venue was a first class space to hold the course. FEA plans to hold another there in Spring 2025.
Michele Romano CFSP, Business and Brand Development Director EMEA-APAC at Ali Group, is a big advocate of CFSP. “The course has real value,” he said, “both as a grounding for our employees (many of whom are single-product, one-brand experts) and for professionals throughout the industry at large.”
Simon Frost CFSP is chair of FEA’s Education Advisory Group. He says, “CFSP is going from strength to strength, both in the UK and, as this course underlines, internationally. It gives those passing the course an extra edge when it comes to career development, wherever they are in the world.”
Veal agrees. He says, “Recruiters are increasingly recognising that the CFSP has both an educational and practical value and use it as a differentiating factor between candidates with similar knowledge and experience. The number of professionals who proudly display the qualification as a title on LinkedIn and post on CFSP-related topics is increasing significantly.”
FEA has held CFSP courses in several countries. They include, along with Italy, Sweden, Ireland and Dubai, and there are plans to bring it to more countries in the future. Meanwhile the next UK CFSP seminar and exam will be held at Welbilt UK’s Sheffield offices on 6th and 7th June 2024.
CFSP gives graduates an holistic understanding of how commercial kitchens operate, from deliveries, through storage and preparation, to service and cleaning up after! “It’s everything you need to know, but perhaps didn’t know to ask,” says Frost. The course is accredited by both Highfield and CPD and is underwritten by the University of West London.
For more information contact FEA or visit cfsp.org.uk.