U.S.A.’s Chef of the Year™ Award
In 1963, ACF created the Chef of the Year Award to acknowledge Walter Roth, AAC, for his tireless efforts to promote and elevate the profession. The award has grown in prestige, and today is the highest honor annually bestowed by ACF.
The U.S.A.’s Chef of the Year™ award recognizes an outstanding culinarian who works and cooks in a full-service dining facility. This person has demonstrated the highest standard of culinary skills, advanced the cuisine of America and given back to the profession through the development of students and apprentices.
Regional finalists compete in a culinary competition at the national convention, where a panel of distinguished judges will select the national winner.
2021 Regional Finalists
Central
Northeast
- Lionel Hughes, CEC
- Matthew O’Connor, CEC
- Michael J. Shannon, CEC
Southeast
- Lance S. Cook, CEC, CCA
- Stephen P. Perkins, CEC, AAC
Western
- Christopher C. Emerling
- Brandon S. LaVielle, CEC
Military
- Hiram R. Carrion Rodriguez, CCC (SSGT US Army)