The Culinary Insider - November 5, 2012 (Vol. X, Issue 23)

ACFEF Disaster Relief for Storm Victims

ACF and the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) Disaster Relief Task Force are here to support those members affected by the recent devastating storm. We care about you and want to help as you deal with the difficult task of getting your lives back together. If you, or any ACF member you are aware of, need assistance due to this disaster, complete the ACFEF Disaster Relief Fund ACF Member Assistance Request form and return it to ACFEF Disaster Relief Task Force Fund, American Culinary Federation, 180 Center Place Way, St. Augustine, FL 32095. You may also fax the form to (904) 825-4758. For additional information, email disasterrelief@acfchefs.net.

ACF members wanting to make a donation to the ACFEF Disaster Relief Fund can do so by going to www.acfchefs.org/disasterrelief and logging into the ACF website at the bottom of the page. Donations can also be mailed to the above address. Members wanting to volunteer their time or large quantities of food should email disasterrelief@acfchefs.net.

Do you hire culinary school grads?

If you hire culinary school graduates, please tell us what they should know when they come to work for you and whether they do, in fact, know those things. Also, what skills will they need in the future, in your opinion? Please email your answers to Suzanne Hall at Hall1958@aol.com for an upcoming article in The National Culinary Review on the future of culinary education.

2016 ACF Culinary Team USA Managers Announced

American Culinary Federation (ACF) National President Michael Ty, CEC®, AAC®, in partnership with 2012 ACF Culinary Team USA Manager Steve Jilleba, CMC®, CCE®, AAC, and ACF Education Foundation Chair John Kinsella, CMC, CCE, WGMC, AAC, announced, Oct. 22, the 2016 ACF Culinary Team USA program and youth managers. Joseph Leonardi, CEC, was named ACF Culinary Team USA manager, and J. Kevin Walker, CMC, AAC, was named ACF Culinary Youth Team USA manager. Leonardi and Walker were selected from a group of qualified candidates after an extensive interview process. Leonardi will oversee the ACF Culinary Team USA program, as well as directly manage ACF Culinary National Team USA, while Walker will manage the youth team, ACF Culinary Youth Team USA.

Wear a More Distinctive Chef Coat

Make your culinary mark with our Cotton Classic Executive Chef Coat. Constructed with premium 100% cotton twill, this comfortable, double-breasted jacket stands out. Features turn-up cuffs, 2 convenient pockets, and exchangeable French knot buttons. See product details & pricing now.

2013 ACF Award Applications are Due Nov. 16, 2012

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 sponsored by Plugra European Style Butter; 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 receive $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.

2013 ACF Regional Conferences Registration Discounted

Register by Dec. 31, 2012, to attend a 2013 ACF Regional Conference and pay 2012 pricing on a full registration. More

ACF Southeast Regional Conference: Louisville, Ky.; March 1–4, 2013

ACF Northeast Regional Conference: Verona, N.Y.; March 17–20, 2013

ACF Western Regional Conference: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; April 12–15, 2013

ACF Central Regional Conference: Little Rock, Ark., April 28–May 1

Culinary Nutrition News: Going Greek

The Mediterranean Diet is described as being one of the healthiest diets in the world. U.S. News & World Report ranks it third among overall best diets. Greek cuisine is gaining more attention as researchers continue to link its authentic mix of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats and unsaturated fats to reducing risks of everything from heart disease to breast cancer. November’s “Culinary Nutrition News,” sponsored by French’s Foodservice and provided through a partnership between ACFEF Chef & Child Foundation and Clemson University, looks at some traditional Greek dishes, and how an added twist or two can further maximize flavor and nutrition.

Grants Awarded to Chefs Volunteering for Chefs Move to Schools

The American Culinary Federation Chefs Move to Schools Task Force has awarded $250 grants to 18 chefs volunteering for Chefs Move to Schools. The grants will help chefs fund activities that promote healthy eating and proper nutrition to students and families in their communities. More

Currently, ACF has awarded 30 grants, a total of $7,500, to support chef volunteers and schools promoting healthy eating to kids. Interested chefs can learn more about the grant and download an application from www.chefsmovetoschools.org or www.acfchefs.org/chefsmove. The ACF Chefs Move to Schools Task Force is able to provide the grants through a generous donation provided by the makers of Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® dressings & dips.

Restaurant Neighbor Award

The National Restaurant Association, together with the award’s founding partner, American Express, created the Restaurant Neighbor Award to help honor restaurants in the field of outstanding community service and involvement. Ninety percent of restaurants are actively involved in community activities and this award highlights the positive contributions restaurants make in their local neighborhoods each and every day. Four national winners receive $5,000 each to support their community efforts as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to receive their award during a gala awards dinner held in April 2013. Apply

Help Pick the MINOR’S® My Story Contest Winner

The finalists have been selected in the Minors® My Story Contest and three of them are ACF members. Read the written entries and then submit your vote for your favorite based on the importance of MINOR’S to the individual or operation, creativity/originality in storytelling, entertainment value and quality of the content. Limit one vote per day through Nov. 16. The winner will be announced Dec. 17. Best of luck to the ACF chefs:

• It’s a Sandwich in My Soup!, by Robert Reid, CEC, CCA, executive chef/director, San Diego Mesa College; San Diego; Chefs de Cuisine Association of San Diego
• Journey with MINOR’S, by Jeffery Bricker, CEC, CCE, AAC, hospitality program chair, Ivy Tech Community College; Indianapolis; ACF Greater Indianapolis Chapter
• My MINOR’S Story, by Aran Essig, CEC, CCA, executive chef, University of Northern California, Greeley, Colo.; ACF Colorado Chefs Association

MARS Chef Showdown Dessert Recipe Contest

Enter a dessert recipe featuring MARS chocolate candy brands through Dec. 14 in the MARS Chef Showdown Dessert Recipe Contest and you could win a trip for two to the South Beach Food & Wine Festival. Dessert entries must be made with M&M’S®, MILKY WAY®, SNICKERS®, TWIX® and/or 3 MUSKETEERS® Brand products as an ingredient or topping. All entrants will receive $20 in entertainment certificates. Learn more and apply.