The Culinary Insider - March 10, 2014 (Vol. XII, Issue 5)

ACF Western Regional Conference a Success

Martin Yan, HAAC, HHOF

The ACF Western Regional Conference, hosted by ACF San Francisco Chapter, at the Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, Calif., March 2–5, was a success, bringing hundreds of chefs, cooks and foodservice professionals to Oakland. More than 25 chefs, students and chapters were honored at the conference. Find out who were the competition winners and honorees and view the photos.

Attendees enjoyed culinary demonstration from Martin Yan, HAAC, HHOF, executive chef/owner of M.Y. China, San Francisco, Ben Vaughn from Food Network’s “Health Inspectors,” Chris Jones, director of culinary innovation, Hampton Creek Foods, and Sebastien Canonne, MOF, cofounder, The French Pastry School of Kennedy-King College at City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago.

WUSTHOF’S New PRO Line

One of the most recognizable names for quality in the food service industry, WUSTHOF introduces PRO series…their first stamped food service line since the company’s founding in 1814.

  • Razor-sharp high-carbon, stain-free steel blades for effortless cutting.
  • Unique, ergonomically designed soft-poly handles, which make prolonged use less taxing.
  • Designed and built exclusively for the tough day-to-day demands of the commercial kitchen.
  • Made in Solingen/Germany.
  • NSF Certified.

ACF Adds Health Care Benefits for Members

iCan You asked and ACF listened. In response to member requests for health care benefits and coverage, ACF is pleased to announce that the iCan Benefit Group is now available to assist ACF members with healthcare questions and options. The iCan Benefit Group, a national insurance agency, can answer your questions about the Affordable Care Act and options available to you. Their licensed agents are qualified to help you find the plan that best fits you and your lifestyle.

Review iCan’s products and services at nationwidehealthsuite.com/ACF, or call iCan on ACF’s dedicated toll free line at (800) 413-4642, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. EDT, and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. EDT.

Just for calling, you will receive a free prescriCaniption drug savings card that can save you money on generic and brand name medications. Simply bring the card to a participating pharmacy to start reaping your Rx rewards.

Center for the Advancement of CAFEFoodservice Education (CAFE)

CAFE 2014 Events for Educators
10th-Annual Leadership Conference
June 19–21
Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah

Includes full day of Educational Best Practices, Industry Connections Day, annual InfoFair, trends presentations, breakout sessions, more. Registration ($399) includes opening reception, breakfasts, lunches, refreshment breaks, transportation to/from hotel and ACF continuing-education hours. Optional CEUs from Johnson & Wales University. Two hotel choices, each with spacious rooms.

Visit www.cafemeetingplace.com/cafe-events/2014-leadership-conference for agenda, registration and lodging info.

Don Dickinson, CCA®, AAC®, Named ACF Certification Commission Chair

Don Dickinson, CEC, CCA, AAC

Certified Executive Chef® (CEC®) Don Dickinson, CCA®, AAC®, of Roseville, Calif., was recentDickinson, Donly named chair of the ACF Certification Commission. Dickinson, a member of ACF California Capital Chefs Association, announced that the commission’s focus will be on ensuring that ACF certification will continue to improve its program offerings and increase visibility of certification for professional chefs. Read More

Update Your Coat with the 2014 ACF Logo

Happy Chef Professional pride begins with a uniform. Happy Chef offers a full line of apparel that features the 2014 American Culinary Federation logo. The ACF Traditional Chef Coat provides a mix of style and performance with easy-care fabric in a double-breasted design. To see all of our coats, request a Happy Chef catalog today.

One Step Closer to Selecting ACF Culinary Youth Team USA

ACF Culinary Team USA Thirteen cooks have accepted the challenge and are trying out for a spot on 2016 ACF Culinary Youth Team USA during the 2014 ACF regional conferences. After the tryouts, five cooks and two alternates will be named to the youth team that will compete at the 2016 Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung in Erfurt, Germany. Learn more, meet the competitors and see the results after each regional conference.

Rachael Vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off Casting

Now Casting Rachael vs. Guy Kids Cook-off

Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off will be back for a second season and the show is now casting kids ages 8 to 13 years old who dream of being on the Food Network. The application is simple, with the most important question being, “What makes your child one of the most talented kid chefs in the country?” Apply