February 7–9, 2009
Westin Waterfront
Boston
2009 ACF Northeast Regional Conference
Our Northeast Regional conference held in Boston the first weekend in
February was a success. ACF Epicurean Club of Boston, was our host
chapter. I want to personally thank Denise Graffeo, chapter president,
and Rico DiFronzo, regional chairman, and all of the chapter members for
their coordination and organizational efforts. The conference ran
smoothly and was packed with pertinent, timely and beneficial seminars,
demonstrations, competitions and more. View the photos.
Additionally, I would like to thank ACF’s national office, Tony
Graffeo and his mass of volunteers, Jeff Bar and his
“ambassadors,” Dr. Henry B. Wainer and Boston University for
without the expertise, energy, manpower and location, the conference
would not have been possible.
Our trade show was well received and well attended. Thank you to our
sponsors and exhibitors, without whom we would be hard-pressed to
provide the quality programs, seminars and meal functions you all have
come to expect from an ACF event.
Twenty-two chapters received Chapter Achievement Awards, four chefs
received president’s medallions, ACF Pittsburgh Chapter was named
Chapter of the Year, and Pierre Rausch received the Hermann G. Rusch
Chef’s Achievement award. Ming Tsai, chef/owner of Blue Ginger in
Wellesley, Mass., gave an entertaining, amusing and informative
demonstration.
Congratulations all of our award
winners, teams and competitors. Please join me in wishing our
regional winners “good luck” as they prepare for the
national competition in Orlando, Fla. I have sent a letter to all
chapter presidents, hoping they can help as these chefs and students
begin the journey to the finals in Orlando.
The 2010 regional conference will take place in Hershey, Pa., and
registration has already begun. We look forward to a “sweet”
conference and plenty of chocolate.
See you in Orlando.
Mark Wright, CEC, AAC
ACF Northeast Region Vice President
