NORWICH – A food safety training service is attempting to bring its program to Chenango County, hoping the convenience of the local venue will encourage business participation.

Judy Bleyle has been working as an instructor in the food service industry for over 25 years. She has now begun her own certification course out of Norwich. Her business offers customized instruction, manager or chef training, employee training and can administer certifications. Her current program is called ServSafe.

“It’s one of the simplest and most effective courses you can take. It helps ensure a safer work environment to prepare food and helps to reduce a company’s liability,” said Bleyle.

ServSafe is a food service sanitation course developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to provide certification for food service managers. This program is accepted by the department of health in several states, including New York.

This class has an eight-hour course followed by an exam, consisting of multiple choice questions. To become a ServSafe Certified Food Service Technician, you must score 75 percent or higher on the exam.