ACF Culinary Team USA ACF Culinary Team USA

The American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF), established in 1929 and the premier professional organization for culinarians in North America, is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the United States in major international culinary competitions. ACF Culinary Team USA consists of a national, military, regional and youth team. Each of these teams will represent the United States at the 2016 Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung (IKA) International Culinary Exhibition, also known as the “culinary Olympics,” in Erfurt, Germany.

2016 ACF Culinary Team USA in Development

Cold Food Tryouts Begin This June

Apply today to try out for ACF Culinary Team USA and you could be part of a remarkable group of chefs representing the United States at the 2016 Internationale Kochkunstausstellung (IKA), also known as the “culinary Olympics,” in Erfurt, Germany. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 28, 2013, and tryouts will take place in two phases. Phase I is the Cold Food Competitions, scheduled for June 1–2 in Denver, or June 15–16 in Charlotte.

  • June 1–2, Denver, at the Johnson & Wales University facilities. Applicants should plan to arrive Friday, May 31, as the Saturday, June 1, session begins at 6 a.m. The Sunday tryouts are scheduled to run through 5 p.m.
  • June 15–16, Charlotte, N.C., at the Johnson & Wales University facilities. Applicants should plan to arrive Friday, June 14, as the Saturday, June 15, session begins at 6 a.m. The Sunday tryouts are scheduled to run through 5 p.m.

Phase II will take place after the Phase I competitions and will entail the selected chefs competing in a final cook-off. Phase II locations and dates will be announced in the near future.

If you have questions, Joseph Leonardi, CEC, team manager, is available to answer them and discuss all aspects of international culinary competition with you. He can be reached by email at leonardi.joseph@yahoo.com. Get tryout information or PDF download an application.

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Help ACF Culinary Team USA Go for Gold! Support the next team of passionate members as they generously dedicate their time and energy as they represent American chefs and cuisine in international competitions. Share the vision and be part of the journey. Make a donation or become a sponsor. Sponsorship offers positioning and branding opportunities.

Villeroy & Boch Culinary World Cup 2010

Congratulations to ACF Culinary Team USA for their stellar performance at the Villeroy & Boch Culinary World Cup 2010. The national team placed third overall with gold medals in the hot-food portion and cold-food display. The military team, USACAT, won gold in cold-food and bronze in hot-food placing sixth overall. Both teams represented the United States proudly executing the highest caliber of cooking on a world stage. Experience their journey through updates and photos.

National Team

Team Captain Joseph Leonardi, CEC, ACF Rhode Island Chapter; Timothy Bucci, CEC, CCE, CHE, ACF Louis Joliet Chapter; Ben Grupe, Chefs de Cuisine Association of St. Louis Inc.; Jennifer Kopp, CEPC, ACF Nations Capital Chefs Association; J. Kevin Storm, CEC, CCA, AAC, Chefs de Cuisine Association of St. Louis Inc.; and Eddie Tancredi, ACF Columbus Chapter.

Regional Team

Brian Campbell, CEC, CCE, ACF North Carolina Chapter; Shawn Culp, CEC, FMP, ACF Pittsburgh Chapter; Adam Heath, CEC, ACF national member; Andreas Proisl, CEPC, ACF Central Florida Chapter; and John Reed, CEC, CCA, ACF Windy City Professional Culinarians Inc.


Youth Team

Representing ACF Bay Area Chefs Association of Oregon and from Oregon Coast Culinary Institute, Coos Bay, Ore.: Team Coach Randy Torres, CEC; Team Captain Edalyn Garcia; Laura Chandler; Maddie Cutts; Reilly Meehan; and Krista Nakamura. Learn more and visit the youth team’s website.

Military Team

The U.S. Army Culinary Arts Team (USACAT) has been competing in the “culinary Olympics” since 1976. Competing at local, national and international culinary competitions offers the military chefs the opportunity to sharpen and broaden his or her cooking skills. Learn More

The Team Behind the Team

The success of ACF Culinary Team USA depends on more than just the team members. Managers, coaches and advisors play a vital part. Learn More