Press Release
Kelly Conwell Represents U.S. Well in
International Cooking Competition
St. Augustine, Fla., February 1,
2010—While the world’s economic leaders met in
Switzerland last week, the world’s culinary leaders met at the
34th annual World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) Congress, Jan.
24–28 in Chile. There 22-year-old Kansas native Kelly Conwell got
the once-in-a-lifetime chance to represent her country in the Hans
Bueschkens World Junior Chefs’ Challenge. Although she did not
place in the top three, she did an outstanding job representing the U.S.
among a pool of talented competitors. In the end, New Zealand took home
third place, Malaysia took second place and a young chef from Canada won
first place and the title of “Best Young Cook in the
World.”
“The Hans Bueschkens World Junior Chefs’ Challenge
brought together 14 of the best young cooks in the world, and it was an
honor to have Kelly represent our country and its cuisine,” said
Michael Ty, CEC, AAC, ACF national president. “Although she did
not place in the top three, she made the U.S. proud by demonstrating
extreme talent, determination and passion for the culinary
arts.”
Conwell, supported by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and
Custom Culinary, Inc., won the right to represent the U.S. on the world
stage after winning the title of 2009 ACF Student Chef of the Year in
Orlando, Fla., in July 2009. Conwell graduated from Johnson County
Community College (JCCC), Overland Park, Kan., in May 2009, and has
spent the past six months studying abroad in Germany.
In the “mystery basket” competition, 14 competitors
developed their menus from a predetermined list of ingredients and
created a three-course meal for eight people in three-and-a-half hours.
The meal consisted of a starter, main course with appropriate sauce, a
starch and vegetable, at least two, and a dessert.
The awards were presented at the Congress President’s Dinner,
Jan. 28. Canada took home the international title of “Best Young
Cook in the World,” the Hans Bueschkens Memorial Trophy, a gold
medal and a certificate.
About the American Culinary Federation
The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the
premier professional organization for culinarians in North America. With
more than 22,000 members spanning 230 chapters nationwide, ACF is the
culinary leader in offering educational resources, training,
apprenticeship and accreditation. In addition, ACF operates the most
comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United States. ACF
is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the
United States in major international culinary competitions, and to the
Chef & Child Foundation, founded in 1989 to promote proper nutrition
in children and to combat childhood obesity. For more information, visit
www.acfchefs.org.
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To arrange an interview or for a high-res photo, contact Leah Craig
at (904) 484-0213, or email lcraig@acfchefs.net.
Contact: Leah Craig
Communications Manager
(904) 484-0213
lcraig@acfchefs.net