ACF Today, Vol. II, No. 16
June 18, 2004

 
 In this edition . . .

* The 33rd-annual Academy of Chefs dinner is closed
* Framed original watercolor of ACF Culinary Team USA 2004 to be auctioned in Orlando
* Convention deadlines are fast approaching!
* Certification practical testing offered at national convention
* ACF's 2004 member-recruitment drive offers incentives through July 9
* Bring the kids to the ACFCCF/Culinary Team USA fund-raiser at SeaWorld
* The National Culinary Review asks, "Do you have an unusual job?"
* The National Culinary Review asks, "Have you beaten an addiction?"

Seating for the American Academy of Chefs Dinner in Orlando Is Closed

Seating for the 33rd-annual Dinner and Induction Ceremony of the American Academy of Chefs, July 17, 2004, at the Caribe Royale Resort and Hotel in Orlando, Fla., is now closed. Tickets, at $135 each, are only available in the event of cancellations. To be placed on a waiting list, contact Barbera Stockton at (800) 624-9458, x102, or visit the Academy registration desk at the Orlando World Center Marriott prior to the dinner.

Watercolor Celebrating Culinary Team USA to Be Auctioned at Convention

An original watercolor of three scenes of ACF Culinary Team USA members at work will be auctioned at the 2004 ACF convention during the general session on Saturday, July 17. The framed size of the work is 28 inches x 36 inches. The painting was created by Ariadna Leonard as her gift to Culinary Team USA. Reed S. Miller, Jr., of Chefs de Cuisine Association of St. Louis will be the auctioneer.

Poster-size prints of the artwork, with "ACF Culinary Team USA 2004" printed on them, as well as postcards in sets of 10 and boxed notecards with envelopes in sets of 15, will be available in the ACF convention store at the Orlando World Center Marriott. The large poster will be printed again, with the IKA logo and the Team USA logo, for sale at the Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung (IKA) International Culinary Art Competition in Erfurt, Germany, in October.

The team will be available to autograph posters at the convention store on Tuesday, July 20, at 2:30 p.m. All proceeds from the auction and sale of posters and other items imprinted with the images will support Culinary Team USA.

Deadlines for Convention Are Approaching!

To reserve lodging at the host hotel: June 24. The convention rate is $149/night plus applicable taxes at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Lodging incentives include a seventh night free with six paid nights. This special ACF rate is not guaranteed after June 24. Call (800) 621-0638 or visit www.acfchefs.org/events/natcon04/ntl.cfm.

For chapters to submit raffle-ticket monies from CCF/Culinary Team USA fund-raiser sales: June 30. Chapters may keep all monies in excess of $750. Contact Beverly Stuart for details, (800) 624-9458, x108, or bstuart@acfchefs.net.

To select seating for the President's Grand Ball online: June 30. Seats will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Go to www.acfchefs.org, choose EVENTS/2004 NATIONAL CONVENTION from the main menu, and click on SEATING on the convention menu. You must have your convention-registration confirmation number to reserve your seat. All tickets purchased on a single confirmation will be assigned to the same table. To reserve group seating, gather the required confirmation numbers and designate one of your group to register everyone at the same time. You can only register online once. After June 30, seating must be selected on-site in Orlando prior to the dinner.

To vote for the national Hermann G. Rusch Chef's Achievement Award: July 1. Each ACF chapter in good standing has one vote. Completed ballots should be faxed to (904) 825-4758 or mailed to Tracy Smith at 180 Center Place Way, St. Augustine, FL 32095, to be received no later than July 1 to be counted. For more information, e-mail events@acfchefs.net or call (800) 624-9458.

To visit ACF's new headquarters following the convention: at earliest convenience. A bus trip is planned following the board of governors meeting Wednesday, July 21. To plan properly, ACF would like as accurate a count as possible, as early as possible. Buses leave the Orlando World Center Marriott mid-afternoon and return that evening. Call (800) 624-9458 or e-mail events@acfchefs.net.

Take the Certification Practical Exam During ACF Convention

A practical exam for all levels of ACF certification (except CMC and CMPC) is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20, at the Orlando (Fla.) Culinary Academy/Le Cordon Bleu. The fee is $50 for members, $100 for non-members. Space is limited; availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. To register for the exam or for more information, contact Belinda Fieldhouse at (800) 624-9458, x138, or bfieldhouse@acfchefs.net.

Children Under 3 Attend the CCF/Culinary Team USA Fund-raiser for Free

In honor of ACF's 75th Anniversary, a 1975 Pontiac Trans Am in mint condition will go to one fortunate winner in a raffle to benefit the ACF Chef & Child Foundation and ACF Culinary Team USA 2004, to take place at SeaWorld Adventure Park during the 2004 ACF National Convention in Orlando, Fla., on Sunday, July 18. Ticket holders have the opportunity to win one of the vacation packages, as well as other prizes. You do not need to be present to win.

Doors of the newly renovated Sea Harbor Pavilions open at 7 p.m. for the event. The first bus will leave the Orlando World Center Marriott at 6 p.m., with staggered departures and returns throughout the evening. (Attendees must travel to SeaWorld by bus to be allowed entrance to Sea Harbor Pavilions.) Proceeds from admission fees of $75 for adults and $40 for children under 12 will support ACF Culinary Team USA 2004 and the ACF Chef & Child Foundation. Children under 3 enter free. Tables of 10 may be purchased for $700 - a savings of $50.

Guests will have full access to all of SeaWorld's shows and attractions. A buffet dinner will be served from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Sea Harbor Pavilions. Spirited entertainment and the raffle of choice items and prize packages are set for 10 to 11:30 p.m. To view a picture of the vintage Trans Am online, visit www.acfchefs.org/ccf/ccfnews.html.

You may register for the SeaWorld event on-site at the Orlando World Center Marriott prior to the event. For more information, contact ACF at events@acfchefs.net or (800) 624-9458.

The National Culinary Review Asks, "Do You Have an Unusual Job?"

The National Culinary Review seeks chefs who work outside traditional venues for a future feature story. Maybe you or a chef you know cooks at a logging camp or on the edge of danger to feed wild-fire fighters. Or perhaps your stove is in a galley on a commercial barge or a Windjammer catering to adventure travelers. Other "outside the box" jobs might include executive chef on a private island or jet or personal chef to a star. Journalist Suzanne Hall wants to hear from you. E-mail her directly at hall1958@aol.com.

The National Culinary Review Asks, "Have You Beaten an Addiction?"

The National Culinary Review received very few responses to the question asked on May 14, "Does your habit help you cope?" Let us rephrase it: "Have you beaten an addiction?" The intent is not to sensationalize bad habits of chefs, but rather, to offer real advice that may assist others, advice not found elsewhere. The National Culinary Review explores addictive behavior in the form of habits you've kicked - or you're having trouble licking. Respondents may remain anonymous. NCR seeks real stories from chefs who have suffered or continue to suffer from abuses of alcohol, drugs, eating, gambling, sex, etc., and how you feel about it. The journalist compiling the feature will approach the subject with sensitivity. To indicate your willingness to share your experiences, e-mail Kay Orde, editor-in-chief, at korde@acfchefs.net.

©2007 American Culinary Federation

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