The Culinary Insider - August 17, 2009 (Vol. VII, Issue 18)

ACFEF Apprenticeship Program Receives $481,200 Grant

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) a grant in the amount of $481,200 August 5 for the ACFEF Apprenticeship Program to advance the growing needs of apprenticeship in the 21st century. As the Department of Labor’s only provider of apprenticeship training for the culinary industry, the further development of the ACFEF Apprenticeship Program will be instrumental in providing industry-sanctioned training for chefs in high demand in areas that lead to a high-wage career path. Learn more.

Be a Part of ACF Culinary Team USA 2012

Apply today for ACF Culinary Team USA 2012 and experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will take your career to the next level!

ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative team of the U.S. in major national and international culinary competitions, is comprised of a six-member national team and five-member youth team. Team USA competes in competitions that include the Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung International Culinary Exhibition, also known as the “culinary Olympics,” the American Culinary Classic, and the Culinary World Cup.

ACF and U.S. Army Join Ranks

Sergeant First Class Clinton W. Francis III, a chef with the U.S. Army, will be stationed at the ACF national office in St. Augustine, Fla., for the next 12 months as the Industry in Training Representative. He will be focusing on implementing the ACFEF apprenticeship program for the U.S. Army with a trial group of 1,000 soldiers at Fort Lee, Va. Clinton will also be working closely with ACFEF accreditation, and coordinating ACF certification testing at Fort Lee.

ACE Training Seminars

Become an Approved Certification Evaluator (ACE) by attending a free two-day ACE training seminar. The first day is classroom training detailing the evaluation process. ACE candidates apprentice actual practical exams on the second day. If you are interested in attending an upcoming ACE Training seminar, complete the ACE Training Registration Form and return it to the ACF national office. For more information e-mail acooper@acfchefs.net or call (800) 624-9458, ext. 150.

Sept. 11–13, 2009: Desmond Hotel & Conference Center, Malvern, Pa. (ACF Northeast Regional Educational Forum)
Oct. 17–18, 2009: Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Atlanta
Oct. 17–18, 2009: Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, Iowa
Jan. 14–15, 2010: Johnson & Wales University, Miami, Fla.

Support Those Who Support ACF

More than 60 companies joined together at the 2009 ACF National Convention to provide education and product donation. Their participation was vital to our success, so please consider these sponsors for your future needs, as they continue to support ACF.

Praise an ACF partner for its commitment to our organization by e-mailing your accolades to mshrader@acfchefs.net.

Numerous beneficial opportunities exist to underwrite the 2010 ACF Event Series. If you would like to sponsor an upcoming ACF event, visit the ACF Web site to learn about available opportunities.

Top Chef Returns with ACF Chef

Season six of Bravo’s award-wining series premieres Aug. 19 with Top Chef: Las Vegas. Included in the group of 17 chef’testants is ACF member Ron Duprat of the Fort Lauderdale ACF, Inc. chapter. Duprat is executive chef at the Hollywood Beach Marriott, Hollywood, Fla., and is known for his Haitian Creole influences with French-Asian fusion cuisine.

Age Has Its Privileges

If you are an ACF certified chef age 62, or 55 and retired from the industry, you could qualify for lifetime certification. Contact certify@acfchefs.net for more information.

Cooking with America’s Championship Team

This book reflects the dedication, hard work and aspirations of ACF Culinary Team USA at the 2008 Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung International Culinary Exhibition, commonly referred to as the “culinary Olympics,” with award-winning recipes. Order your copy from the ACF e-Store. ACF members, login to receive your discount.

Calorie Countdown

Examine calories, portion sizes, energy density and volumetrics through Calorie Countdown, August’s Culinary Nutrition News, available through a partnership between ACF Chef & Child and Clemson University.

Make It Fabulous with Fillo Recipe Contest

Submit a recipe prepared with Athens Fillo Dough & Athens Mini Fillo Shells. Weekly and monthly winners will be selected. Review the contest rules and enter today.