The American Academy of Chefs Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination Packets

Objective

To help promote and facilitate an annual high profile and upscale fundraising event which benefits the scholarship fund of the American Academy of Chefs and to honor an individual who has dedicated their career to all aspects of the culinary profession.

Criteria for the Award

The American Academy of Chefs Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to an individual who has been a member of the ACF for a minimum of 20 years and a member of the Academy for a minimum of 15 years. The individual should be regarded as an industry trendsetter and possess an unflagging commitment to excellence—providing leadership, motivation, and inspiration to colleagues and the youth of the culinary industry. The individual will have devoted much time to the American Culinary Federation, the Academy of Chefs, community service and willingly share their knowledge and ideals with all who seek it. The award recipient must also be an icon of high cooking standards and be highly respected in the foodservice industry and by the Academy. Past Recipients

Selection Committee

Three past previous Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, two Lifetime Achievement Award national co-chairs and the American Academy of Chefs national chair and vice chairman.

Award Relevance

This award is specifically created to raise funds for the Academy scholarship fund and to recognize an Academy member who has shown outstanding dedication to our profession. Therefore it should only be given to an active or a retired Academy member.

Process

Candidates cannot apply themselves. The individual must be nominated by an AAC local director, ACF local chapter president, or ACF/AAC board member. Applications can be requested at the Academy national office. The nomination package must be submitted to the Academy national office by January 31 of each year. The committee will review the applications and select the most qualified individual by February 28. The nominating individual will then serve as the Chairman of the Dinner along with the supporting chapter and will be responsible for hosting the dinner in October of that year. Proceeds will benefit the AAC national scholarship funds.

Nomination Package:

A complete nomination package includes:

  • The completed application form
  • Letter of recommendation from sponsor (approximately 200 words) that lists the candidate’s accomplishments
  • A professional resume and biography of the candidate, not to exceed two pages
  • A letter of commitment from the sponsor agreeing to host the Lifetime Achievement dinner, if selected
  • Documentation of achievements
  • A high resolution, digital, color photograph of candidate in white chef’s coat and toque. The digital photograph must meet the following requirements: 300 DPI in .tif or .jpg format, and at least 1200×1600 pixels. Picture can be emailed to academy@acfchefs.org.

Candidates will provide all needed material for the application and selection process before the dead line of January 31. Applications received after the deadline will be returned to the candidate for submission the following year.

Contact Information

Lifetime Achievement Committee

Dale L. Miller, CMC®, AAC®
James G. Rhoads, CEC®, AAC®

Academy Administrator

American Culinary Federation
6816 Southpoint Pkwy Ste 400
Jacksonville, FL 32216
academy@acfchefs.org
(904) 484-0202