Awards

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, CEC, CCA
  • 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