ACF Today, Vol. IV, No. 21
October 01, 2006


In this edition...

  • Plan Now to Attend the 2007 American Culinary Federation Regional Conferences
  • ACF Introduces Professional Development Program
  • Attention Competition Show Chairs and Chapter Presidents
  • Apply Now for ACF Culinary Youth Team USA
  • Want to Propel Your Culinary Career to New Heights?
  • Nominations Open until December 31 for American Academy of Chefs Elected Positions
  • Free Crisco Professional® Pan Release Sample!




Plan Now to Attend the 2007 American Culinary Federation Regional Conferences


Whether you want to sharpen your skills at a workshop, earn certification points by attending a lecture or make invaluable business contacts with accomplished culinary professionals, the table is set for you. Downloadable registration forms are available at http://www.acfchefs.org/download/downloads.cfm, so register early and save!


The 2007 schedule is as follows:
Northeastern Region, March 2-4, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Central Region, March 25-27, Milwaukee, Wis.
Western Region, April 15-7, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Southeastern Region, April 29-May 1, Nashville, Tenn.


No other gathering has such a variety of professionals and personal development opportunities, industry networking, vendor supplies, and much more. With awards ceremonies, chefs' dinners and culinary competitions, these shows promise to satisfy even the largest of appetites. For more information on the regional conferences, go to www.acfchefs.org/Content/Events/RegionalConferences/default.htm.







ACF Introduces Professional Development Program


In order to reach the education objectives of the American Culinary Federation, a Professional Development Program has been developed to improve the professional knowledge of ACF members, demonstrate and sharpen their skills, provide opportunities for certification and support post-secondary culinary education programs. ACF will utilize its four annual regional conferences and national convention as a forum to provide the opportunities.


The ACF Professional Development Program consists of the following:


Educator Development Series (EDS) - Formerly known as educator's clinics, the EDS is a collection of instructional courses designed to help educators hone the skills needed to demonstrate proficiency in educational theories, teaching and learning processes and human dynamics while emphasizing competency in:


- Curriculum Planning & Development
- Evaluation & Testing
- Teaching Methodology
- Education Psychology


While the program was developed for culinary educators seeking ACF certification, the components address the disciplines common to professional educators at all levels. Anyone in this field is encouraged to attend.


Career Development Series (CDS) - Focusing on the areas of nutrition, food safety and sanitation and supervisory management, this series of seminars, lectures and workshops includes refresher courses needed to maintain certification points, or to improve one's overall knowledge and skill base, marketability within the foodservice industry and personal and professional growth. The CDS replaces the nutrition, food safety and sanitation and supervisory management refresher courses.





Attention Competition Show Chairs and Chapter Presidents


Effective October 1, 2006, there will be a change to the ACF medal ordering policy. All orders for medals made prior to the competition date may only be made by credit card. Deposit of 50% of the total amount is still in effect. All unused medals and certificates not returned within 30 days of the last day of competition will result in the remaining balance being charged to the credit card. Medals ordered post-competition may still be purchased by credit card or check for the full amount.


In addition, the current and correct competition score sheets are available on the ACF Web site at www.acfchefs.org/download/downloads.cfm. As a reminder, there was a complete overhaul of the student competition score sheets with the implementation of the new guidelines which became effective at the national convention in July. In addition, there was a change to the showpiece score sheet. This is also available for download from the site.


For any competition, please be sure that you have the current and correct guidelines, current score sheets and all appropriate paperwork. Please contact the ACF Events Management department at (800) 624-9458 if you have questions.







Apply Now for ACF Culinary Youth Team USA


Applications and selection guidelines for the ACF Culinary Youth Team USA are now available online at www.acfchefs.org/Content/ACFPrograms/CulinaryTeamUSA/guidelines.htm, or by calling the ACF Events Management department at (800) 624-9458 ext. 146. The deadline to submit an application is November 1, 2006.


Tryouts will be held in January and February 2007 at locations to be determined once all applications have been received. The finals will be held at the 2007 National Convention in Orlando, Fla. in July. Competing at the international level as part of a student team in the Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung (IKA) is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. IKA is commonly referred to as the International Culinary Olympics, and is held in Erfurt, Germany, every four years. Don't miss your chance to represent the USA. Sign up today!



Want to Propel Your Culinary Career to New Heights?


Buy Culinary Fundamentals and Baking Fundamentals
and visit chefcertification.com today!


An indispensable book for every culinary student, ACF's Culinary Fundamentals is a comprehensive, technique-based cooking-principles text. Included is a DVD with more than three hours of original video highlighting 26 benchmark recipes.


Baking Fundamentals explores the basics of baking and pastry using real-life examples, learning activities, and four founding principles?ratios, sequence, time and temperature?and how these factors impact all quality-baked products.


Visit www.acfchefs.org or call (800) 624-9458 to buy your books.


CHEFCERTIFICATION.COM is your online source for ACF certification courses. It provides user-friendly courses for ACF initial or renewal certification that can be taken whenever and wherever and on your time schedule!

CHEFCERTIFICATION.COM for aspiring chef!



Nominations Open for American Academy of Chefs Elected Positions


Nominations are open for the national chair and national vice chair positions of the American Academy of Chefs (AAC). Nominations will remain open until December 31. To nominate a candidate, you must be an active Academy Fellow in good standing. Please submit your nomination in writing to the AAC office at 180 Center Place Way, St. Augustine, FL 32095.


All nominations must be postmarked no later than December 31 to be valid. All candidates accepting nomination are required to respond in writing. Acceptance letters should also be sent to the AAC office, and must be postmarked no later than December 31.






Free Crisco Professional® Pan Release Sample!

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©2007 American Culinary Federation

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