ICCA Dubai· Certification
USA Cheese Specialist Certification Program - September
A Three-Level Professional Certification in U.S. Cheese Knowledge & Expertise
Overview
About this program
The USA Cheese Specialist Certification Program is a progressive professional certification comprising three levels: Associate, Intermediate, and Advanced. Participants who successfully complete all three levels will be awarded the prestigious designation of USA Cheese Specialist.
As this is the final USA Cheese Specialist Certification Program of the year, chefs are required to register only if they are available to attend and complete all three certification levels. Partial participation or registration for individual levels will not be accepted.
Upon successful completion of the full program, certified chefs will receive the USA Cheese Specialist designation, along with a ceremonial double-handed knife featuring the USA Cheese Guild logo, as well as official USA Cheese Specialist patches and pins for their chef coats.
Certified chefs will also be inducted into the global USA Cheese Specialist community and receive lifetime membership to the USA Cheese Guild—a centre of excellence for cheese knowledge and education managed by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) in collaboration with industry experts.
Program Dates
Associate Level
September 23 & 24Intermediate Level
September 28 & 29Advanced Level
September 30 & October 1
Important Attendance Requirement:
Chefs should register only if they are fully available to attend all six training days and complete all three levels. Attendance and participation will be closely monitored, and full attendance across the Associate, Intermediate, and Advanced courses is mandatory to qualify for certification.
As this is the last program of the year, there will not be another opportunity this year to complete any missed level.
Led by
Speakers
Antonio El Khoury
Director of Culinary Programs at USDEC - MENA
A seasoned culinary professional and U.S. cheese specialist with extensive experience in market development, culinary education, and industry engagement across the region. Since 2019, he has led USA Cheese Specialist Certification trainings for professional chefs, culinary students, distributors, retailers, and foodservice professionals, while promoting the versatility of U.S. cheeses across diverse cuisines. His work includes recipe development, chef and buyer missions to the United States, culinary competitions, and collaborations with leading foodservice operators. Through regular visits to U.S. cheesemakers and dairy farms, he has developed in-depth knowledge of cheese production, characteristics, and culinary applications, and has represented U.S. cheese at major industry events including Gulfood, HORECA Saudi Arabia, SIAL Paris, Cheesefest, and Discover America.
Where to find us
Venue
Block 9, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St, Al Safouh Second, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai