American Academy of Chefs Culinary Hall of Fame™
The founding of the American Academy of Chefs Culinary Hall of Fame™ was inspired in 1988 by then Academy Chair Jon Greenwalt, CEC®, AAC®, HOF at the ACF National Convention in Las Vegas.
“The Culinary Hall of Fame was unanimously accepted by the Academy members.
Its concept is to honor those men and women who, because of their outstanding attributes,
have won the respect and love of their professional guild. Therefore, they are so honored by
their peers as a positive reflection to all those in this profession who seek achievement!”
— Hermann G. Rusch
2022 American Academy of Chefs Culinary Hall of Fame™ Inductees
Alex R. Darvishi, CEC, AAC
Alex R. Darvishi, CEC, AAC, has been an active member of the American Culinary Federation since 1982 and an Academy Fellow since 1998. He was the recipient of the ACF Hermann G. Rusch Chef’s Achievement Award in 2000, the ACF Central Region Hermann G. Rusch Chef’s Achievement Award in 2018 and the AAC Chef Good Taste Award in 2007. He was a member of World Cup Champion 1990 ACF Culinary Team USA, competed at a total of four Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung, also known as the “culinary Olympics,” and was winner of seven gold medals including a perfect score in 1988. He was the Youth Manager in 2012 winning a gold medal. Chef Darvishi was a member of the Culinary Competition Committee from 2013–2017. He continues his love of competing by serving as an ACF certified judge since 1993. He is currently the chef advisor for ARD Culinary Enterprise, Inc.
David A. Goodwin, CEC, CCA, AAC
David A. Goodwin, CEC, CCA, AAC, is currently retired after many years as a successful executive chef, caterer and successful owner of two restaurants. He has been an active member of the American Culinary Federation since 1984 and an Academy Fellow since 1993. Chef Goodwin is the recipient of the ACF Presidential Medallion in 2007 and 2015, the Western Region Chef Professionalism Award in 2007 and the AAC Service pin in 2014 and 2016. He has served on the ACF Board of Trustees and the ACF Board of Directors from 2011–2015, Sergeant-at-Arms from 2005–2009 and multiple ACF committees and task forces. Chef Goodwin is an active member of ACF Kona-Kohala Chefs Association having held several chapter positions.
Garry W. Waldie, CEC, CEPC, CCE, AAC
Garry W. Waldie, CEC, CEPC, CCE, AAC, has been an active member of the American Culinary Federation since 1981 and was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs in 1999. Chef Waldie has served and continues to serve on various ACF boards both locally and nationally. He served as AAC Western Regional Director from 2006–2015. He was the recipient of the Presidential Medallion in 2008 and 2014, the AAC Joseph Amendola Award in 2019, the AAC Sharing Traditions Award in 2005 and the AAC Service Award Pin in 2011. Chef Waldie is committed to the ACF Certification and Accreditation programs serving as an approved certification examiner, assisting with accreditation site visits and other various ACF subcommittees. Currently he is serving as treasurer for the ACF Arizona Chapter.
Honorary
John W. Zehnder, CEC, AAC, has been an active member of the American Culinary Federation since 1988 and was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs in 1997. Chef Zehnder is the recipient of the Central Region and National Hermann G. Rusch Chef’s Achievement Award in 2011, the Central Region Dr. L.J. Minor Chef Professionalism Award in 1995 and the AAC Lawrence A. Conti, CEC, AAC, HOF, Chair’s Achievement Award in 2016. Chef Zehnder served as the ACF Central Region Vice President from 2001–2005 and is an active member of ACF Flint/Saginaw Valley Chapter having served on numerous committees. Chef Zehnder is currently retired after almost fifty years as Executive Chef of Zehnder’s Restaurant in Frankenmuth, Michigan.