American Academy of Chefs Application

Please Note:
The application deadline for induction into the American Academy of Chefs for 2009 is December 31, 2008. Please contact the Academy office if you have any questions at (800) 624-9458, ext. 102 or academy@acfchefs.net.

Introduction

To obtain an official American Academy of Chefs application, an applicant must have an Academy Fellow request an application on the individual's behalf from the AAC National Office at (800) 624-9458, ext. 102. An applicant may not request his or her own application, and all applications must be received by the national office by December 31st of the year preceding induction.

Before the application is mailed, a $35 non-refundable application fee will be collected. A check for the induction fee in the amount of $325, made payable to the American Academy of Chefs, must then be submitted with the application and all application materials. The induction fee includes the AAC medal, ribbon, diploma, pin, wall plaque and a shadow box of the dinner plate at your induction dinner. The induction fee does not include the cost of the Induction Dinner ticket.

Application Information for Election as a Fellow

The formal application for election into the American Academy of Chefs consists of six parts:

1. General biographical information, including place of employment.

   
   

2. Verification for the fulfillment of seven mandatory requirements, including:

1. A statement of intent to attend the Annual Academy Dinner and Medal Ceremony, as well as the morning Induction Ceremony.

2. Letters of sponsorship from two voting AAC Fellows in good standing signed and dated within one year. Note: Voting Academy Fellows can sponsor only one applicant within one year.

   
   

3. Verification of the fulfillment of at least 10 of 20 Elective Attainable Goals (listed below).

   
   

4. One copy of the Culinarian's Code, signed and dated.

   
   

5. The Chapter's Verification of Application form signed by all officers of the candidate's chapter. Note: A chapter may sponsor an unlimited number of qualified candidates.

   
   

6. A notarized statement of formal application signed by the candidate.

Submit applications no later than December 31st of the year preceding induction to:

The American Academy of Chefs
180 Center Place Way
St. Augustine, FL 32095

Applications are valid for only one year (i.e. if an individual requests an application for induction in 2009 and fails to submit it by December 31, 2008, he or she must request a new application). Also, all requirements must be met prior to submission of application; if not, the application and induction fees will be returned and must be submitted another year. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission. The induction fee of $325 will be returned if the applicant is not selected for induction into the Academy.

Mandatory Requirements

All requirements must be met prior to submission of application.

1. Must be certified as an ACF master chef, master pastry chef, executive chef, executive pastry chef and/or culinary educator for no less than two years. Must continue to renew certification as required by ACF as of 1987.

   
   

2. Must be in the culinary profession as a cook, working chef, or culinary educator at an accredited school for no less than 15 years. Ten of the 15 years must have been as an executive chef at a full-service restaurant. A culinary educator must have served five years as an executive chef in a full-service restaurant.

   
   

3. Must be a member of the American Culinary Federation a minimum of ten consecutive years. Must be a member in good standing and remain so to retain AAC Fellowship.

   
   

4. Must have attended any combination of four ACF regional conferences and/or national conventions.

   
   

5. Applicant must show intent to attend Annual Academy Dinner and Induction Ceremony.

   
   

6. Must be sponsored by two voting Academy Fellows. An Academy Fellow is permitted to sponsor one new applicant per year. Academy Fellows must submit a written recommendation of at least 100 words on the applicant's behalf.

   
   

7. Must submit a complete, typed resume which will cover all the above requirements. Must submit two 5"x7" photos, color or B & W, in white toque and white chef's coat taken within the past year. Digital photos are preferred. Photos may be in .jpg, .tif, or .eps format and must be at least 300 dpi and no smaller than 5"x7". You may submit digital photographs on CD-ROM or by e-mail to academy@acfchefs.net.

Elective Attainable Goals

Candidate must complete a minimum of 10 prior to submission of application.

1. A member of a national ACF or ACFF approved committee for a full term (24 consecutive months).

   
   

2. An ACF national convention or regional conference chair, co-chair or approved committee chair.

   
   

3. A competing Culinary Team member, coach, or manager of a national ACF or WACS approved competition.

   
   

4. A chapter president for two years, who has participated in the Board of Governors meeting for two years.

   
   

5. An elected chapter officer for two years, other than president.

   
   

6. A chair of an approved local chapter standing committee for two years.

   
   

7. A chair or co-chair of a successful local, regional or national community service fundraising event (it must contribute and benefit continual improvements geared towards real life gains).

   
   

8. Responsible for bringing in at least ten new Professional Culinarians & active chapter members within the last ten years.

   
   

9. The sponsoring chef responsible for training and graduating any ACF registered apprentice who completes a full two- or three-year program.

   
   

10. Has graduated from an accredited culinary school or culinary arts program with either an associate's or bachelor's degree, has graduated from an ACF apprenticeship program or an internationally recognized school or apprenticeship program.

    
    

11. Voluntarily participated in regional or national culinary demonstrations within the past ten years.

    
    

12. Voluntarily served as the chair of an advisory board or served as a member of the board of trustees for a local culinary program other than your place of employment.

    
    

13. A recipient of a local ACF Chapter Chef of the Year or a local ACF Chapter Chef Professionalism Award.

    
    

14. Participated as a chair or co-chair of an ACF approved Accreditation Educational Facilities Site Visitation. Four separate visits are required.

    
    

15. A chair of a culinary art salon, cold-food competition or hot-food competition that has been pre-approved by the ACF national office or WACS.

    
    

16. Winner of an ACF or WACS gold, silver, or bronze medal in a culinary competition.

    
    

17. Participated as an evaluator three times in an ACF approved apprenticeship graduation examination.

    
    

18. An ACF-certified culinary judge.

    
    

19. The executive chef or executive pastry chef who is indicated on a featured "Gastronomique Menu," the menu of an Academy dinner, Les Amis d'Escoffier dinner, Chaîne des Rôtisseurs dinner, or any Academy-style dinner. Please refer to the Academy Bylaws for dinner criteria.

    
    

20. A recipient of an ACF regional or national award, i.e. Chef of the Year, Chef Professionalism, President's Medallion, etc.

NOTE: Verification of the listed requirements and goals is the responsibility of the applicant prior to sending the application to the national screening committee. The committee that reviews the applications will not be responsible for researching required information/documentation that is not already provided--if certain information is needed, the applicant may be able to obtain records from seven or fewer years back through the ACF Membership Department. Falsifying documents will automatically exclude a candidate from the Academy for life.