Awards

2027 ACF Awards

ACF is now accepting applications for the 2027 ACF Awards.

Deadline to submit an application is January 31, 2027. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The 2027 ACF National Convention will be held July 12–15, 2027, in Orlando, Florida.

You must be present to receive your award.

2026 Award Winners

2026 ACF Lifetime Achievement Awards

ACF Lifetime Achievement

  • Michael J. Beriau, CEC, AAC
  • James F. Connolly, CEC, CCA, AAC
  • Ernst W. Gruch, CMC, AAC
  • Wiley Newbold, CEC, AAC
  • Louis Perrotte, CEC, AAC, HOF

Hermann G. Rusch Achievement Award National Recipient

  • George A. O’Palenick, CEC, CCE, AAC, HOF

L. Edwin Brown Leadership Award

  • Novirah Lone, CC

Chef and Child Award

  • Vanessa Marquis, CEC, AAC

2026 ACF Chapter Awards

ACF Large Chapter of the Year

  • Texas Chefs Association

ACF Small Chapter of the Year

  • ACF Metro Mobile Chefs & Cooks Association

A World of Thanks

  • ACF Greater Grand Rapids Chefs Association

ACF Local Chapter Membership Awards

  • Most Members Gained- ACF Caxambas Chapter of Southwest Florida
  • Highest Growth Percentage- ACF Cape Cod Islands Association

2026 Dr. L.J. Minor Chef Professionalism Award

Central Region and National Winner

  • Kurt A. Kwiatkowski, CEC, CCA, AAC

Northeast Region Winner

  • William Rogers, CEC, CCA

Southeast Region Winner

  • Noralyn A. Galdiano, CEC, AAC

Western Region Winner

  • Jerald “LJ” Klinkenberg, CEC, CCA, AAC

2026 Emeritus Judges and Achievement of Excellence

2026 Emeritus Judges

  • Raimund W. Hofmeister, CMC, AAC
  • Rene J. Marquis, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC
  • Helmut Franz Josef Holzer, CMC, AAC
  • Alan J. Neace, Sr., CEC, AAC
  • Derek Spendlove, CEPC, CCE, AAC
  • Dr. Frank Costantino, CEC, CCA, CCE, CEPC, AAC
  • Reimund D. Pitz, CEC, CCE, AAC, HOF

Achievement of Excellence Recipients

  • Mancy’s Steakhouse
  • Martini Modern Italian
  • Aramark
  • 1901 Marketplace
  • Savor Restaurant at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute

2026 ACF Industry Partner and Sponsor Awards

Industry Partner of the Year

  • RAK Porcelain

Sponsors of the Year

  • ZWILLING J.A. Henckels
  • Jones Dairy Farm
  • CookUp Group Inc.
  • Kent Worldwide
  • The Middleby Corporation
  • Gordon Food Service

2026 ACF Presidential Medallion Recipients

  • Patrick S. Artz, CEC
  • Jonathan Bastianello, CEC, CCA
  • Chris Bugher, CEC
  • Denise L. Chapel, CCC
  • Frank Costantino, CEC, CCA, CCE, CEPC, AAC
  • David J. Durante, CEC, CCA, AAC
  • Timothy L. England, AAC
  • Lidia E. Felix
  • Natalie R. Feltz, CC, CPC
  • Spyridon Giannakoulopoulos, CEC, CCE
  • Brian Hay, CEC, CCE
  • Wook Kang, CEC
  • Jason E. Knapp, CEC, CCA, AAC
  • Eric LeBlanc, CEC
  • Ryan Marquis, HAAC
  • Gaton D. Merideth, CEC
  • Xiomara F. Mora-Rivera
  • Bruce M. Ozga, CEC, CCE, AAC
  • Alvin F. Recopuerto
  • Alexander Sapp, CEC, CCA, CEPC, PCEC
  • Philippe Striffeler
  • Chrystal L. Tatum, CEC
  • Shayne M. Taylor, CEC, CCA, AAC
  • Carmelo Vadacchino
  • Melissa B. Trimmer, CEPC, AAC
  • Kenneth M. Watt, CEC

2026 ACF Cutting Edge Award Recepients

  • Bryant Alden, CEC, AAC
  • Jason G. Avelson, CEC, CCE, CCA
  • Sheila Begay, CSC, CWPC
  • David Bressler, CEC, AAC
  • Haley M. Conant
  • Charles DeVries, CEPC
  • David W. Franklin, CEC
  • Christopher A. Galarza, CEC, CCA
  • Bouakhanh Greene, CEC
  • Daniel G. Hugelier, CMC
  • Travis R. Johnson, CEC, AAC
  • Melvina Jones, CWPC
  • John Kukucka, CEC, AAC
  • Geoffrey S. Lanez, CMC
  • Christopher J. LaVecchia
  • Isamar Leal
  • Harry Linzmayer, CEC, HAAC
  • Josh Meeker, CEC
  • Efthymia (Effie) Noifelt
  • Deniz Orhun
  • Douglas J. Overes
  • Michael W. Riggs, CEC, CCA
  • Gabe Rosado, CEC, CCA, AAC
  • Kara Terreault-Triplett
  • Rusty Weatherly, CEC, CCE