The Culinary Insider - April 13, 2009 (Vol. VII, Issue 8)

2009 ACF Western Regional Conference Spectacular


The 2009 ACF Western Regional Conference was a spectacular representation of the Pacific Northwest’s finest culinary and local offerings. A sincere thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors, and the ACF Washington State Chefs Association, our host chapter. Photos to come.

Congratulations to the honorees for their outstanding contributions and goodwill, and all the award competitors and winners, who were impressive. Much luck to our regional winners as they prepare to face off against their regional counterparts for the national title at the ACF National Convention in Orlando, Fla., July 11–14.

ACF Membership Stimulus Plan

Any professional or culinarian member who brings in two new professional or culinarian members will receive a one-year national membership extension on receipt of their local chapter membership dues. Both the sponsoring member and the new members will receive this one-year free national membership extension benefit.

Login to the ACF Web site and review the program guidelines and additional information under the Members Only section.

CAFE’s Summer Program for Professional Foodservice Trainers and Educators


CAFE offers 5 weekend events in 2009 delivering topics and trends critical to your successful professional development.

June

  • CAFE’s 5th-Annual Leadership Conference, J&W University, Denver
  • Front-of-House Operations, CIA, Hyde Park, N.Y.

July

  • Food and Breads of the World, Florida Culinary Institute
  • Global Cuisines, Kendall College, Chicago

August

  • Edible Art, Professional Culinary Institute, San Jose, Calif.

Earn ACF continuing-education hours! Click Events at www.CafeMeetingPlace.com for more information.

Scholarships Available for Students


The American Academy of Chefs is offering eight $5,000 scholarships through the generosity of the Charlie Trotter Culinary Education Foundation. The application deadline is May 1. Visit the ACF Web site to learn about other available scholarships.

The Foundation of the National Association of Catering Executives is seeking candidates for the Vince DeFinis Scholarship. This $15,000 scholarship will be awarded in the spring of 2009 to an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in hospitality or a closely related field. The application deadline is May 18.

Northeast Region Pastry Chef of the Year Competes in Food Network Challenge


Megan Ketover, CPC, pastry chef at Midwest Culinary Institute’s Bakery Hill, Cincinnati, will take part in an upcoming episode of the Food Network Challenge. As ACF’s Northeast Region Pastry Chef of the Year, she will bring her competition experience to the set for the show’s Cereal Bridges 2 Challenge filming April 30 in Denver.

Top Chef: The Tour

Bravo’s Top Chef kicked off a 21-day tour March 27 in New York. The tour, which allows fans and affiliate partners nationwide to interact, will feature a brand-new state-of-the-art customized traveling 18-wheeler semitruck, with an expansive space to accommodate more fans for each on-site demonstration. View the Top Chef tour dates.

ACE Training Opportunities

The ACF Certification Commission has expanded the number of Approved Certification Evaluators (ACE) Trainers resulting in additional opportunities for this specialized training. ACE Training locations are being scheduled now. Learn about the requirements for hosting.

You Eat With Your Eyes…


Edward Leonard, CMC, AAC, in his book, You Eat with Your Eyes: The Simplicity & Elegance of Presenting Food (LTD Publishing 2008), shares his passion for all things culinary and demonstrates how the statement “you eat with your eyes” can come to life. The book is available to members at a discounted rate of $25 plus shipping through our ACF e-store, but you must login to receive the discount.

One-Pot Cook A Lot Competition


Sponsored by Riviana ACF and Riviana Foods, Inc. will hold a One-Pot Win-A-Lot Cooking Competition at the ACF National Convention Trade Show, Orlando, Fla., July 12. Competitors will use a Dutch-style pot to prepare a dish with 10 ingredients, including a Riviana rice product, in 15 minutes. The first-place winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

Interested competitors should submit an application and a recipe in a standard four-serving format by June 1. Four competitors will be selected from the recipes received to participate in the competition. Download rules and an application. Contact mshrader@acfchefs.net if you have questions.