ACF Culinary Team USA
Tryout Requirements

Becoming a Member of ACF Culinary Team USA

ACF Culinary Team USA represents the United States on the global stage, showcasing American chefs, cuisine and products to the world. Team members will enhance their skills in the kitchen under pressure, better themselves both professionally and personally, and push themselves toward excellence.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with knowledgeable and talented chefs. It’s a chance to watch, work with and learn from established culinarians from all over the world. Team members are exposed to a number of new techniques and ideas, inspiring chefs to do their best work and raise the standard of culinary skills.

Who Should Apply?

Do you have what it takes to become a member of ACF Culinary Team USA? You are passionate about cooking and dedicated to your profession. You have invested time and money in education and certification, and you practice and refine your skills to achieve perfection. You know from experience that competing against other accomplished chefs is one of the best educational tools available. You promote your profession at every opportunity and are motivated to share your skills with others.

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, N.C.

  • 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.

Joseph Leonardi, CEC, team manager, is available to answer questions and discuss all aspects of international culinary competition. He can be reached by email at leonardi.joseph@yahoo.com.

Please note, ACF Culinary Team USA tryouts are not a venue in which to learn for first-time competitors. Experience and knowledge in the craft of cookery at a skilled level is essential, as is being able to produce garde manger food and hot cuisine at the highest possible level. View tryout requirements.