The Culinary Insider - May 25, 2009 (Vol. VII, Issue 11)

ACF National Convention Promises MORE


Attend the 2009 ACF National Convention at the Orlando World Center Marriott, July 11–14, Orlando, Fla., to learn solutions for your business and career challenges, and to broaden your understanding of current trends and cutting-edge techniques. ACF promises to deliver informative seminars presented by industry leaders, culinary demos by some of the industry’s most talented chefs, and exciting competitions.

Patrick O’Connell, proprietor/chef of The Inn at Little Washington, Washington, Va., will present his approach to American cooking emphasizing the use of fresh local ingredients in refined versions of American dishes at General Session, sponsored by the American Lamb Board. O’Connell will be followed by ACF Master Chefs John Kinsella, CMC, CCE, WGMC, AAC, and Peter Timmins, CMC, and Noreen Kinney, author, chef, and pioneer of the New Irish Cuisine Movement, for a demonstration of their favorite Irish fare.

Early registration entitles you to convention & accommodation discounts.

New Durable Retail Price Computer Scales


The OHAUS RA and RE Retail Price Computing Scales combine durability with NTEP (legal-for-trade) certified weighing for retail use from 15 to 60 lbs. Both incorporate easy-to-clean designs, thick stainless steel pans and cast aluminum weighing platforms, rated to 150% of capacity. Weigh and price/lb information are displayed on dual LCDs. The RA offers 24 Price Lookup memories, the RE 100 PLUs (24 via the keyboard using preset keys).

For more information, call Carl Pugliese at (800) 672-7722, ext. 7021.

Top 10 Dessert Trends


The Food Channel® released its Top Ten Dessert Trends for 2009. Research was conducted in conjunction with the World Thought Bank and the International Food Futurists™. Learn more.

  1. Ice cream as the star
  2. Sippable desserts
  3. Sharing comes into the open
  4. Out of the ordinary presentation
  5. Interactivity
  6. Nostalgia
  7. Portability
  8. Novelties
  9. International and unusual flavors
  10. Go seasonal and local

Test of a Professional—New CEC Exam

A new certified executive chef (CEC) written exam will be implemented at the 2009 ACF National Convention, July 11–14, Orlando, Fla. Learn more about the job analysis that determined the composition of the new exam.

Job Hunting in Today’s Economy

From executive chef, sous chef and pastry cook to club manager and educator, ACF is here to help you in your job search. Visit our Career Center for the latest opportunities in the culinary industry. You can search for jobs or post your résumé for potential employees.

ACF Culinary Career Expo by Chartwells


The 2009 ACF Culinary Career Expo, presented by Chartwells, takes place July 12 during the ACF National Convention Trade Show. The expo is designed to provide culinary students and professionals with insight on various career paths, while sharing tips and advice from experts in the hiring and recruiting fields. It is not a job fair, but a venue for developing personal marketing skills, résumé writing and interviewing techniques while learning the positive and negative aspects of today’s competitive job market.

ACF Culinary Team USA Manager Named


Steve Jilleba, CMC, CCE, AAC, corporate executive chef at Unilever Foodsolutions, Lisle, Ill., will serve as ACF Culinary Team USA manager for the 2009–2012 term. He is one of only 61 ACF-certified master chefs in the world, and has amassed numerous accolades, awards and competition gold medals. His experience as competitor, manager and judge in both national and international culinary competitions is extensive, and he is currently chair of the ACF Culinary Competition Committee.

As team manager, he will oversee the ACF Culinary Team USA program, as well as directly manage the national team. Alex Darvishi, CEC, AAC, executive chef at Houston Country Club, Houston, has been named ACF Culinary Youth Team USA manager.

ACF Certification Commission

The ACF Certification Commission is working hard to add value and credibility to ACF’s certifications. Review the overview of the Certification Commission to learn more about the mission, members, subcommittees, and policies and procedures.

New ACF Chapter Medallions Unveiled


The newly designed ACF chapter medallions are prestigious and elegant. The collection was expanded to include chef educator, pastry chef and student chef of the year, thereby allowing ACF chapters to model their local awards after the ACF regional and national awards. For more information or to purchase medals, chapter officers should contact ACF Events Management at (800) 624-9458 or e-mail events@acfchefs.net.

AAC Events You Don’t Want to Miss


The Orlando World Center Marriott is the setting for many American Academy of Chefs (AAC) events at the ACF National Convention. The 38th Annual AAC Induction Dinner, July 10, features delicacies from the Marriott’s Executive Chef Jon Espelage. Patrick O’Connell, proprietor/chef of The Inn at Little Washington, will kick-off our dining with his first course of Caviar & Crab-Tin of Sin. Tickets are $150 and are only available to AAC members.

The AAC Spouses’ Luncheon, July 11, at Epcot Center’s France Pavilion, Orlando, Fla. Jerome Bocuse, son of legendary chef and restaurateur Paul Bocuse and general manager of Chefs de France at Epcot, is our host, and Remy, from DISNEY-PIXAR’s Ratatouille, will be available for pictures and autographs. Tickets are $20.

The RSVP deadline for both is June 1. Register online, by mailing in your RSVP, or by calling the Academy at (800) 624-9458, ext. 102.

One-Pot Win A Lot Competition


ACF and Riviana Foods, Inc. are holding a One-Pot Win-A-Lot Cooking Competition at the ACF National Convention Trade Show, July 12, with the winner receiving a $1,000 cash prize. Recipe submissions are due by June 1, of which four will be selected to compete. Download the rules and an application.