The Culinary Insider - May 20, 2013 (Vol. XI, Issue 10)

ACF’s National Officer Elections

Vote

Voting for ACF’s 2013–2015 national officers started May 6 and ends May 27. Your email ballot should have arrived May 6 with the subject line ACF OFFICIAL PROXY BALLOT FOR THE ELECTION OF THE 2013–2015 ACF NATIONAL OFFICERS. In addition, reminder emails will be sent today, May 20, and May 26. If you still did not receive a ballot, email administration@acfchefs.net. Let your voice be heard and vote.

All ACF voting members who vote in advance of the meeting by proxy ballot are invited to attend a meeting Tuesday, June 11, at 10 a.m. EDT at ACF’s headquarters at 180 Center Place Way, St. Augustine, Fla. 32095. The proxy ballots will be cast and election results announced at the meeting by Mark Kent, CEC, AAC, chair of the ACF Nominations & Elections Committee.

ACF Certification Commission Seeks Nominations for New Members

Chef

To maintain comprehensive and diverse representation, chefs with either a Certified Executive Pastry Chef® or Certified Chef de Cuisine® credential will be added to the ACF Certification Commission to serve a three-year term. The goal of the Commission is to strengthen and build the value of ACF Certification. There are two in-person meetings a year and required subcommittee work. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity or would like to be considered, please email your resume and questions to certify@acfchefs.net no later than Friday, May 31.

Volunteer Chef Needed in El Salvador

Bpeace

Put your culinary experience to work in a way that will change lives. The non-profit Bpeace is seeking an experienced international chef to volunteer to mentor a woman-owned catering business based in San Salvador, El Salvador. The business wants to learn Asian and other international dishes for its menu and discover new methods for cooking and presenting food to meet the increasingly diverse interests of its clients. PDF Learn more about the opportunity.

Dr. L.J. Minor Recognized with Renamed ACF Award

Minor’s In the spirit of recognizing one of the chef profession’s biggest champions and the founder of the MINOR’S® brand, the ACF Chef Professionalism Award has been renamed the Dr. L.J. Minor Chef Professionalism Award. Dr. Minor, a food scientist, developed the first refrigerated meat-first, food base that is used by professional chefs. In 1951, he founded the Cleveland-based L.J. Minor Company with $6,000 and a borrowed mixer. MINOR’s Corporation was the first manufacturer to hire chefs to sell food products. Dr. Minor stressed quality and customer satisfaction above all else, a principle that still applies today. Through his legacy, MINOR’S chefs continue to share his commitment to chef professionalism, continuing education programs and giving back to the upcoming generation of chefs. More

Ingredient of the Month: Mango

Mini Mango Cheesecake

The mango is considered sacred in India, its country of origin, and legend says that Buddha meditated under the cool shade of a mango tree. The fragrant golden-yellow flesh of a mango is soft and juicy with a sugary rich, slightly tart flavor. It can be eaten plain, but is also a great addition to fruit salads, smoothies, and salsas. Learn more about mangos and get the recipe for Mini Mango Cheesecakes in May’s Ingredient of the Month, provided through a partnership between ACFEF Chef & Child and Clemson University. More

American Academy of Chefs Awards

The American Academy of Chefs Congratulations to the following American Academy of Chefs Fellows that will be honored at the American Academy of Chefs Reception and Induction Dinner at the 2013 ACF National Convention, July 21–25, in Las Vegas. Learn more about the recipients and the awards.

  • Chair’s Medal: William Franklin, CMC, AAC
  • Joseph Amendola Award: Wolfgang Bierer, CMPC, CEC, CCE, AAC
  • Chef Good Taste Award: John Kukucka, AAC
  • Sharing Culinary Traditions Award: Bill Sy, CEC, AAC
  • Lt. General John D. McLaughlin Award: Mark Warren, CEC, AAC
  • Lawrence A. Conti, CEC, AAC, HOF, Chair’s Achievement Award: Fawzi Ottman, CEC, AAC

Casting for the Food Network’s New Show, Cutthroat Kitchen

Cutthroat Kitchen

Alton Brown and the producer of Top Chef have teamed up for Cutthroat Kitchen, a new cooking show on the Food Network. If you are a competitive chef willing to risk it all for a chance it win big cash prize, apply now. For more details, email your contact information, photo and why you have what it takes to be on the show to foodnetworkshowcasting@gmail.com.

National Restaurant Association Announces Winners of the 2nd Annual Operator Innovation Awards

National Restaurant Association The National Restaurant Association announced the winners of the second annual Operator Innovations Awards, with Kennesaw State University taking home the prestigious Innovator of the Year award. Selected by an independent panel of expert judges, the winners were recognized for their achievements in driving advancement in the foodservice industry. The innovative restaurant operators were revealed May 18 at the gala event for the 2013 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, in each award category of: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Menu Development, Sustainability, and Technology. Read More