The Culinary Insider - December 17, 2012 (Vol. X, Issue 26)

Local Sourcing and Healthful Kids’ Meals Top “What’s Hot in 2013”

Chef & children

The National Restaurant Association and ACF have partnered for the “What’s Hot in 2013” survey. The survey of more than 1,800 professional chefs, all ACF members, reveals that children’s nutrition and local sourcing will continue to be the hottest trends on restaurant menus. The chefs also said the best ways to address rising food costs are to change menus, adjust plate composition and explore sourcing options. Also included in the survey were questions about technology trends and nutritious recipes. More than half, 55 percent, of the chefs said they always make efforts to adjust dishes and recipes to be more healthful, while 37 percent said they cook with nutrition in mind, but that not all recipes are easily adjusted. More

ACF National Officer Nominations Closed

Election 2013

Nominations for ACF national officers for the 2013–2015 two-year term closed Dec. 1, 2012. The ACF Nominations & Elections Committee is in the process of vetting the final candidates. Read about the candidates who have already been vetted. Please contact ACF Nominations & Elections Committee Chair Mark Kent, CEC, AAC, at (330) 972-2349 if you have any questions concerning the election.

ACF Nominations & Elections Committee Members

  • Mark S. Kent, CEC, AAC, Committee Chair
  • Jesse W. Cobb, CEC, Central Region
  • Kenneth J. Bucholtz, CEC, AAC, Northeast Region
  • Brian D. Knecht, CEC, CCA, ACE, AAC, Southeast Region
  • Brian Dragos, CEC, CCE, AAC, Western Region

Knives That Put Comfort & Safety First

Chefs Sharp knife by Happy Chef

Chefs Sharp professional cutlery is better prepared to make your cooking easy and efficient. Ergonomically contoured, anti-slip handles keep your skin in constant contact for a more secure grip. You'll feel the difference immediately#&8212;with less hand fatigue and a better cutting experience. Learn more about Chefs Sharp professional tools—watch the video now.

ACF Member Discount at NAFEM

The NAFEM Show ACF members are eligible for free registration at the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) Show, Feb. 7–9, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla. ACF members may also apply for a scholarship for up to $600 to offset travel and lodging expenses to/from the show. To receive free registration and apply for a scholarship, register online by Jan. 5 and select ACF13 as the source code.

Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAFÉ)

CAFE “20/20 Vision”
Inaugural “Retreat” for Postsecondary Deans/Directors
February 22–24, 2013
Kendall College, Chicago
An “issues-driven” program!

“Connecting with the Future”
9th-Annual CAFÉ Leadership Conference
June 20–22, 2013
Johnson & Wales University and Miami-Dade College

ACF continuing-education hours awarded! Visit www.CafeMeetingPlace.com for agenda, registration and hotel information.

**Subscribe for weekly programming updates**

Act now! Deadline for CAFÉ’s special rate at the DoubleTree Hotel is 9/17.

Women’s Foodservice Forum SOAR Award Nominations

Women's Foodservice Forum The Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) is accepting nominations for the seventh Jackie B. Trujillo Outstanding SOAR Award, sponsored by YUM! Brands. This award, which stands for Standard-Setters for Opportunity, Advancement and Recognition of women, honors one foodservice company that is dedicated to attracting, educating and promoting women to the highest positions in the organization. Eligible organizations must be part of the foodservice industry and have at least 250 U.S.-based employees. Learn more and apply by the Jan. 25, 2013, deadline.

Calling all ACF Educators!

The Educators Resource Group (formerly FELC) is hosting our annual conference in Charleston, S.C., April 5–6, 2013. Join us for two days of fellow educator presentations, a student panel where you get to ask the questions, educator competition and workshops. You will also enjoy feasting, fun and networking. Go back to school energized with new ideas to implement and share!

Register now at http://edresourcegroup.eventbrite.com. For details about our conference visit www.edresourcegroup.org.

Follow us:
www.facebook.com/EducatorsResourceGroup
Twitter—@EducatorGroup

Kids Recipe Challenge

Kids Recipe Challenge: creating healthful options for kids one delicious recipe at a time!

Children’s nutrition is a top trend on restaurant menus. To shine the spotlight on the industry’s commitment to providing healthful menu options for children and to inspire others to adopt similar practices, the National Restaurant Association and McCormick For Chefs created the Kids Recipe Challenge. The Kids Recipe Challenge is a fun and creative way to showcase healthy menu options available when dining out. Participating restaurants and foodservice providers, submit your creative culinary creations from your kids menu for consideration for this award by the Jan. 7, 2013, deadline. More

ACFEF Disaster Relief Recovery

If you, or any ACF member you are aware of, need assistance because of Superstorm Sandy, please complete the PDF 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 more information, email disasterrelief@acfchefs.net.

ACF members who want to make a donation to the ACFEF Disaster Relief Fund can do so by logging into www.acfchefs.org/disasterrelief. Donations can also be mailed to the above address. Members who want to volunteer time or large quantities of food, email disasterrelief@acfchefs.net.