FROM STAFF REPORTS

Thomas Mair of Calera recently earned the certified executive pastry chef (CEPC) designation from the American Culinary Federation (ACF).

Mair is pastry instructor at Virginia College in Birmingham and a member of the ACF Birmingham Chapter.

Candidates for ACF certification must have a high level of work and educational experience, and complete coursework in food safety, nutrition and supervisory management.

Certified chefs in restaurants, hotels and other foodservice operations must renew their certification every five years. ACF has awarded more than 20,750 certifications since 1973 and is the only certifier of U.S. master chefs and master pastry chefs.

The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in North America. For more information, visit http://www.acfchefs.org/.