The Culinary Insider - September 24, 2012 (Vol. X, Issue 20)

ACF Culinary Team USA and ACF Members on Road to “culinary Olympics”

In less than two weeks, more than 1,500 chefs representing over 45 countries will compete in the most prestigious culinary competition, the Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung International Culinary Exhibition, commonly known as the “culinary Olympics,” Oct. 5–10, in Erfurt, Germany.

Good luck to our ACF Culinary Team USA and ACF members as they represent the United States and American cuisine. If you are competing, please let us know at pr@acfchefs.net. Follow the journey on www.acfchefs.org/IKA, facebook.com/acfchefs, and Twitter @acfchefs, hashtag #ACF4Gold.

ACF Culinary Team USA Appreciation Reception

Join us Oct. 22 from 6–8 p.m. Eastern Time at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown located at 350 West Maryland Street, Indianapolis, to celebrate the teams of ACF Culinary Team USA (national, military, regional and youth) and wish them much success at the “culinary Olympics.” In addition, the managers for the 2016 program and youth team will be announced.

Tickets purchased before October 18 are $50, and tickets purchased on or after October 18 are $75. To purchase tickets and RSVP, email administration@acfchefs.net.

Buy an ACF-branded Executive Chef Coat

Purchase an officially licensed ACF Piped Front Executive Chef Coat to display your membership with pride. Available with bronze trim in black or white, this double-breasted coat features a prominent ACF logo on the right sleeve and an American flag on the back collar. See product details now….

2013 ACF Award Applications Available for Download…Deadline Nov. 16

Don’t delay! Award applications for 2013 are due Nov. 16, 2012, for U.S.A.’s Chef of the Year, sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions; ACF Pastry Chef of the Year; ACF Chef Educator of the Year; Dr. L. J. Minor Chef Professionalism Award, sponsored by Minor’s®; ACF Student Chef of the Year, sponsored by Custom Culinary, Inc.; and ACF Hermann G. Rusch Chef’s Achievement Award. The national U.S.A.’s Chef of the Year will recieve $5,000. The national Pastry Chef of the Year, Chef Educator of the Year and Student Chef of the Year winners will each receive $1,000. The national Dr. L .J. Minor Chef Professionalism winner will receive $2,500 and a $2,500 scholarship in his or her name will be donated to an American Culinary Federation Education Foundation accredited postsecondary program of his or her choice. Download an application or call (800) 624-9458, ext. 146, or (904) 484-0246 for information.

Ingredient of the Month: Leeks

Leeks are high in vitamins and minerals making them a nutritionally versatile vegetable. They can easily stand up to rich flavors and are often used to enrich soups or stews and are paired with potatoes, cheeses and fish. Learn more and get the recipe for Grilled Leeks and Portabella Quinoa Salad in September’s Ingredient of the Month provided through a partnership between ACFEF Chef & Child Foundation and Clemson University.

It’s VEGAS, Baby!

Sign up for Kraft Works and enter for a chance to WIN a VIP trip to Vegas to the World Food Championships. Or enter for a chance to WIN a trip to COMPETE at the World Food Championships in the best sandwich, burger or side dish category! Either way, take part in the highest-stakes competition at the World Food Championships in Las Vegas, Nov. 1–4. Get details here!

Three Chefs Appointed to ACFEF Leadership Positions

The American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF), the educational arm of the American Culinary Federation that oversees culinary program accreditation and apprenticeship, recently appointed three chefs to leadership roles. Bryan Frick, CEC, AAC, corporate executive chef for Nestlé Professional, Orlando, Fla., and a member of the ACF Central Florida Chapter, was appointed chair elect of the ACFEF Accrediting Commission. Kevin Clarke, CCE, JD, culinary director at Colorado Mountain College Culinary Institute, Dillon, Colo., and a member of the ACF Colorado Chefs Association, was appointed chair elect of the ACFEF National Apprenticeship Committee. Brian Peffley, CEPC, CCE, AAC, pastry arts instructor at Lebanon County Career and Technology Center, Lebanon, Pa., and a member of the ACF Harrisburg Chapter, was selected as the representative of the ACFEF Accrediting Commission’s Secondary Certification Subcommittee to the ACFEF National Apprenticeship Committee. More

Become an Honor Society Member

Do you know of a hardworking, dedicated and qualified ACF chef? Encourage him or her to apply to become a member of the American Academy of Chefs. Academy Fellows demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism within ACF, their communities and the foodservice industry. The Academy’s primary mission is to promote the education of culinarians by mentoring and awarding scholarships to students seeking a future in the culinary industry. Learn more or contact your regional academy director.

Inaugural “Science of Food” Workshop

Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAFÉ)
October 19–21, 2012
Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte

Highlights: sous vide, modernist desserts, flavor forecasts, aromas and flavor chemistry, nutrition and more! Featured presenters include Chef Joe Strybel of PolyScience and Dr. Marge Condrasky of Clemson University.

ACF continuing-education hours awarded!

Visit www.CafeMeetingPlace.com for agenda, registration and hotel information.

**Subscribe for weekly programming updates**

Organize your ACF Chapter’s Childhood Nutrition Day and You Could Win a Trip to the 2013 ACF National Convention

The ACFEF Chef & Child Foundation (CCF) is calling on all chefs and culinarians to sign up and hold Childhood Nutrition Day activities during October. The goal is to recruit 1,000 volunteers across the nation to participate in Childhood Nutrition Day and Lunch Break for Kids. You do not have to be an ACF member. Learn more and sign up.

Participating ACF chapters will have an opportunity to compete in the 10K Challenge with the chapter in each region winning $10,000 and an additional $10,000 at 2013 ACF National Convention. This challenge was made possible through a generous donation from Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® dressings & dips.

The volunteer coordinator from each of the four winning ACF chapters will receive a trip to the 2013 ACF National Convention, which includes roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations for four nights and full registration. Learn more and check out the toolkit.