Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award is considered the most prestigious and regarded honor given by the President of the American Culinary Federation. It is presented in recognition to the “best of our best.” This individual exemplifies the ACF fundamental principles, including superior strength of character and continued contributions to ACF and/or the culinary industry as a whole.

2026 Award

Applications for the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award are now being accepted. Deadline for all applications is January 31, 2026. Award recipients will be announced during the 2026 ACF National Convention.

• Application

2025

• Wilfred R. Beriau, CEC, CCE, AAC
• Byron J. Bardy, CMC, AAC
• Denise S. Graffeo, CEC, AAC, HOF
• O. Siegfried Krauss, CEC, AAC
• Paul E. Sorgule, AAC

2024

• Paul C. Jensen Sr., CEC, AAC
• Ferdinand E. Metz, CMC, AAC, HOF
• James G. Rhoads, CEC, AAC
• Gilbert J. Sidella, CEC
• Fritz H. Sonnenschmidt, CMC, AAC, HOF