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ServSafe Training Blog

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Alcohol Serving can be a fun environment and enjoyable job. However, it comes with a lot of responsibility and knowledge to keep the atmosphere safe. Raise The Grade offers convenient and easy training to give you the education you need, providing you with confidence and security. With a Servsafe alcohol certificate, you get the resources to ensure you start your serving successfully. Learn 4 easy tips on safely serving alcohol below. 

1

Always Check IDs

Although the atmosphere that drinking comes with is fun, being caught serving someone underage is not. Knowing your area's alcohol laws and always checking IDs is an effective way to make sure you’re not putting yourself, or anyone else at risk. It’s often the bartenders responsibility to keep a safe environment and by taking the Servsafe alcohol certification class, you can get your training done at your convenience. 

2

Adjust Your Serving Accordingly

It’s important to know how to gauge when to adjust your serving. Guests can easily lose track of their alcohol consumption and the Servsafe alcohol class at Raise The Grade, will teach you how to keep track of how much your guests are drinking. Knowing when to slow down or stop service can reduce drunk driving and keep the exciting atmosphere safe. 

3

Measure Your Drinks

Bartending and serving can be an exhilarating job! With this adventurous career comes a lot of responsibility. Knowing how to properly measure and mix your drinks ensures you know how strong your drinks really are. With different tolerance levels, people, and situations, one thing you can accurately gauge and control is how you measure and mix your drinks. Raise The Grade offers Servsafe alcohol classes to give you the confidence you need.  

4

Learn Practiced Professionalism 

Occasionally, dealing with someone intoxicated can be a trying situation, but with Raise The Grade’s alcohol training classes, you can learn the coping mechanisms and tools you need to handle these types of situations with professionalism. Knowing the different strategies available gives confidence, control, and safety to those serving the alcohol and those enjoying the atmosphere. 

Whether you’re looking for confidence, education, or support in your alcohol serving knowledge, Raise The Grade’s Servsafe alcohol class gives you the training you need. Get Started Today.

ServSafe Food Manager vs ServSafe Food Handler Blitz Feat Image

ServSafe® Safety Manager and ServSafe® Handler are both food safety certification courses offered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). However, there is a big difference between the two. Which one do you need for your business? Let's take a closer look.

At Raise-The-Grade®, we are proud to offer both of these courses to ensure your needs are met. Continue reading to learn more, and sign up for the appropriate course today!

Restaurant owner and chef standing in a restaurant kitchen

What Is a ServSafe® Food Manager Certification?

A ServSafe® Food Manager Certification is a credential that proves an individual has the knowledge and skills to manage food safety in restaurants, schools, hospitals, or other foodservice operations. This certification is designed for restaurant owners, managers, and employees who are responsible for managing food safety in the workplace. To receive this certification, you must pass a test that covers all aspects of food safety.

Cooks preparing food in a restaurant kitchen

What Is a ServSafe® Food Handler Certification?

The ServSafe® Food Handler Certification is for food handlers such as waitstaff, cooks, and dishwashers. This certification proves that you have the knowledge and skills to handle food safely and prevent foodborne illnesses in the workplace. To receive this certification, you must pass a test that covers basic food safety concepts.

Cooks preparing food in a food truck kitchen

Which Course Do I Need?

So, which course do you need for your business? The answer depends on who is responsible for food safety in your establishment. If you are a restaurant owner, manager, or employee and are responsible for food safety, then you need the ServSafe® Food Manager Course. If you are not a manager but still an individual who will be handling the food in your establishment, then you need the ServSafe® Food Handler Course.

Smiling woman preparing food in a food truck

Benefits of Taking Our ServSafe® Courses

Participating in one of our ServSafe® courses at Raise-The-Grade® has many benefits, including:

  • Learning about food safety from experienced instructors with over 125 years of combined experience
  • Receiving a nationally recognized certification that is valid for five years
  • Having access to our course materials online and offline
  • Being able to retake the course and exam at no additional cost
  • Receiving a certificate upon successful completion of the course

Sign up for our ServSafe® Food Manager or ServSafe® Food Handler courses through Raise-The-Grade® today to ensure your business complies with food safety regulations!

The Proper Methods of Thawing Cooking Cooling and Reheating Food Feat Image

If you work in a food service establishment, it’s crucial to understand how to properly handle and prepare food. Otherwise, you could be putting your customers’ health at risk. At Raise-The-Grade®, we proudly offer several ServSafe® certification courses that teach you everything you must know about food safety basics. Today, our expert instructors will walk you through the proper methods of thawing, cooking, cooling, and reheating food. Keep reading, then check out our certification courses to learn more.

frozen food in a freezer

Thawing

When thawing frozen meat, you must do so properly to prevent bacteria from growing. The safest place to thaw is at the bottom of the refrigerator, but check that blood or juices can’t drip onto other items in the fridge as the meat thaws. You can also thaw meat in the microwave or underneath cold running water, but it must be cooked immediately after.

steaks and mushrooms cooking on a grill

Cooking

Raw meat must be cooked to the appropriate internal temperature, given the type of meat it is. If your food service establishment serves undercooked food, your customers are at risk of foodborne illnesses and bacteria. The USDA recommends these internal temperature guidelines:

  • Poultry: 165ºF
  • Ground meats: 160ºF
  • Steaks, chops, roasts, etc.: 145ºF minimum

steak dinner on a plate at a restaurant

Cooling

If your customers consume their food immediately after it’s cooked properly, they should be safe from foodborne illness. But if their food cools too much, bacteria could grow and cause harm. Before serving, hot food items should be held at 140ºF minimum, while cold foods need a holding temperature of 40ºF or cooler. Don’t allow anything that has sat at room temperature for more than two hours to be consumed.

chef getting a piece of pizza from an already cooked pizza

Reheating

You can’t reheat food that has been sitting out for more than two hours, so dispose of it. For items that have been safely stored, though, you can reheat to an internal temperature of 165ºF for safe consumption. 

As a food service establishment employee, it’s important to understand the basics of food safety and handling to keep your customers safe. If you’re interested in learning all there is to know, enroll in the ServSafe® certification course from Raise-The-Grade®! We have in-person training throughout Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, as well as online courses, so get your ServSafe® certification today!

How to Sign Up for a ServSafe Certification Course Blitz Feat Image

ServSafe® certification is essential for anyone working in the foodservice industry. That's why Raise-the-Grade® offers ServSafe® certification courses in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and online. Our instructors have over 125 years of combined experience and are passionate about food safety and sanitation. We want each student to walk away from our courses with the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in the foodservice industry. Ready to sign up? Learn more today!

Cook preparing food in a restaurant kitchen

Step 1: Decide Which ServSafe® Certification Course Is Right for You

There are a few different ServSafe® Certification Courses available through Raise-the-Grade®, depending on your needs and experience level. The most common course is the Food Safety Manager Certification Course, which is designed for food service workers who have direct contact with food. This course covers everything from foodborne illnesses to food safety regulations.

Cook and manager preparing food in a restaurant kitchen and looking at a tablet

Step 2: Determine Whether You Will Take the Course In-Person or Online

Raise-the-Grade® offers both in-person and online ServSafe® certification courses. In-person courses are typically held at a local food service training center with comfortable and convenient locations, while online courses can be taken from anywhere.

Chef preparing food in a restaurant kitchen

Step 3: Register and Pay for Your Course

Registration for our ServSafe® Certification Courses is easy! Just visit our website and click on the course you're interested in. You can then register and pay for your course online.

Smiling cook preparing food in a restaurant kitchen

Step 4: Complete the Course and Receive Your Certification

Once you've completed the ServSafe® Certification Course, you will be able to print out your certificate of completion. Keep this certificate handy, as it is proof that you have successfully completed a ServSafe® Certification Course.

When it comes to food safety, there is no room for error. That’s why more and more restaurants are requiring their employees to be certified in food safety. And the best way to become certified? Take a ServSafe® Certification Course through Raise-the-Grade®. Follow the steps above to sign up today!

Over the last few years, the events and conventions industry in North Carolina has been rebounding from the pandemic. Companies are starting to book larger events at hotels again, and attendance is steadily increasing. Now, a ServSafe® certification in North Carolina is more important than ever. With so many people in one place, it's important to make sure that all hotel managers are properly trained in food safety. That's where Raise-The-Grade® comes in. We offer food safety classes that are designed to meet the specific requirements of North Carolina. Continue reading to learn more!

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Ensure Food Standards are Met

As a hotel manager overseeing events and conventions, you are responsible for ensuring all food safety requirements are met. A ServSafe® certification from Raise-The-Grade® is the best way to ensure that you and your staff are up to date on the latest food safety practices.

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Keep Guests Safe

Conventions and other events tend to have a lot of people in one place. That means there's a higher risk for food-borne illness if proper safety precautions aren't followed. ServSafe® is a food safety certification that is recognized by the FDA that covers topics such as foodborne illnesses, personal hygiene, and food safety procedures. It's important that the manager in the hotel has this certification and it is up to date to ensure that the food served is safe.

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Staffing Shortage

The hospitality industry is facing a staffing shortage, and it's slowing the process towards recovery. With Raise-The-Grade® online food safety classes, you can keep your ServSafe® certification updated without having to take time away from your busy schedule.

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More Events and Conventions

As the event and convention industry rebounds, we can expect to see an increase of people at hotels as well as an increase in food preparation. With this, you can make sure you're prepared by updating your ServSafe® Manager Certification from Raise-The-Grade®.

 Update your ServSafe® certification for North Carolina with Raise-The-Grade®! You can stay ahead of the curve and be prepared for the busy event and convention season. Learn more about how Raise-The-Grade® can help by visiting our website or contacting us today!

  1. Who Would Benefit Working With Raise the Grade
  2. Hand Washing
  3. What You’ll Learn Through ServSafe Certification Courses
  4. Restaurant Reopening Tips: 5 Steps To Follow

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