Academy Connection, Vol. XVII, Issue 5
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Volume XVII, Issue 5 June-July, 2017 2017 SPONSORS Greetings American Academy of Chefs Fellow, Grand Platinum Fight On Rico and I, and many other Academy Fellows, had the pleasure to travel to Southern California as guests of the University of Southern California Hospitality Division and the Chefs de Cuisine Association of California few weeks back. We were overwhelmed with the passion, drive and skills of the Chefs that put together an awesome two days of hospitality and cooking. "Fight On" we were told is the buzzword at USC, and it is used by everyone from the academic departments, sporting teams and of course the Hospitality division. It was impressive to see the chefs, servers, captains, directors and the management teams perform their tasks with such enthusiasm. The ACF CCAC (Los Angeles) chapter lent their expertise and provided Platinum the USC Chefs with some added staff and encouragement. Chef Eric Ernest and his staff, and "Super Chef" Robert Philips along with the Chapter did an outstanding job putting together not only a delicious and well-prepared Academy style dinner, but one that will be remembered for many years to come. The dinner ran smoothly with Gold the help of Erika Chesley, a University public relations member. Amazing selection appetizers along with local and French wines were set in a very comfortable outdoor setting along with some fantastic Ice Carvings. The venue for the dinner was the storied "Town and Gown" ballroom, which was set beautifully by the staff, and the Silver glow from the candles and the lighting made it all look "royal". After an introduction by Chef Eric we got down to business, we awarded 3 Academy Chefs service award pins, I had the pleasure to honor 99 years young Chef Richard Morgan with our silver coin which is presented to AAC fellows who have and continue to represent the philosophy of the Academy of Chefs. Many other Chefs and supporters received recognition and were given awards at the dinner and they are listed in order in this issue but I would be remiss if I did not mention the "Tommy Trojan" award that was given to Stafford DeCambra, Michael Ty and myself - what an honor - and of course "Tommy Trojan" is the USC mascot and a bronze statue of a fighting Trojan warrior is situated on the campus's main quad. But wait, it gets better - during the dinner we were invited to the stage and received Bronze an incredible gift for the AAC operational fund, team USA and Inspire - I will not spoil Chef Eric and Chef Philips surprise and tell you the amount in this issue but hope you can all make it to the dinner where they will present these three major donations. Soon we will be getting together to induct 16 new Academy Fellows, 7 Honorary Friends members, 3 very remarkable new members of the Hall of Fame, and 1 Honorary All Regional Conferences member of the Hall of Fame. Please join us in Orlando at our annual fellows meeting and then later that evening our annual Induction and Gala dinner, which I guarantee will be an affair to remember. Please join Rico and me in welcoming, Norman Van Aken, master of Florribean Cuisine, restaurateur and our celebrated chef, Chef Van Aken has stated that this an honor to be celebrated by your peers. If you have not yet made your arrangements to attend any of our Academy functions Empire Merchants there is still time, please call or email Faith Rose, our Academy administrator in the office as soon as possible. Also do not forget our annual spouses get together and the "magical" Academy of Chefs golf outing and BBQ. During the convention, we will be meeting with the Senior Chefs, as we, the Academy, now have them under our umbrella. At the meeting we will discuss some interesting ideas we have for the group, the role of the group within AAC and ACF, Heritage Wine and we will also have some speakers who will share ideas about retirement funds, social security and other financial matters involving those of us retired and nearing Cellars retirement. (I know you can't tell by how young I look that retirement is very close.) The ACF Election results are in and I would like to congratulate all those who were so involved with this year's election. Special thanks to Chef Minniti for all his hard work. The candidates and to all of you who were involved and voted. Congratulations to the new board and Rico and I wish them all the best in their terms. Our election was very uneventful, Rico and I ran unopposed, so we are looking forward to serving as Chair and Vice Chair for another two years. Frank Leake, Academy nominations and election chair has the results posted in this issue of the Connection. Thank you all for the vote of confidence. We have our annual meeting of the AAC Board at the Convention, during that meeting we will present to the Board our updated Polices and Procedure's which M Slavin & Sons include changes in our election format, which will mirror ACF's, and will address what we experienced this year - an unopposed election - and other related items. We will continue to update other items that need to be updated and changes that will make the P and P's more in sync with our changing demographics. Again thank you all for being so understanding and patient as we make these changes. Thank you all for your donations to the operating fund, our scholarships and in memoriam to our many fellows. We would also like to thank the many ACF Chapters who have made donations and who continue to make the Academy the prestigious honor society of the ACF. Thanks to those fellows in Chicago who annually hold an Academy dinner and honor a deserving chef each year, this year they honored (finally) John Kaufman the perennial chair of the dinner with all the accolades this year, congratulations Chef Kaufman. Although he said he was retiring and letting John Reed continue in his role we all know that in the shadows he will be lurking making sure all the t's are crossed and I's dotted. In St Louis they continue the tradition, an Academy dinner is held each year at one of their very distinguished Chef's club or restaurant. The Chefs from St. Louis, like all ACF Chapters, continue the professionalism, camaraderie and passion. Proceeds for their dinner is placed in an "education" fund for which they use to send Hot Food and Knowledge bowl teams. Two chapters that also need to bb congratulated are the Delaware valley Chefs (ACF Philadelphia) and the South Jersey Chapter who continue to keep the Academy and ACF in the limelight in their areas. Again, kudos to you all for all the work you continue to do on the Academy behalf. A quick reminder to al: seriously begin thinking about 2018 and who you may want to sponsor for induction, review the application and the criteria, they are on line and if you need to ask questions please reach out to your regions directors, Rico, Faith or I and we will guide you along, next year we are in New Orleans, I can only say that we should be in for a treat in this great city for Cuisine, parties and fun. Congratulations to Chef Jess Barbosa who has been nominated for the American Academy of Chefs Lifetime Achievement Award. Chefs' Dale Miller and James Rhoads Chairpersons of these committee have reviewed his application submitted by his chapter, the ACF Kansas City Chefs, sent forward to Rico and to me with recommendations that Chef Barbosa be awarded this on his history with ACF, his many years as a Hotel Chef and his achievements over the 65 years he has been a member and a Chef. A dinner is in the planning stages and will be in early October. In closing, please remember in your prayers the many Academy and ACF Fellows who have passed away this year, we honor their commitment, we honor their accomplishments and we honor their commitment to the profession. Until Orlando, 'eat, Drink, and Fight On" Mark Mark Wright, CEC®, AAC® Chair, American Academy of Chefs 2017 Tentative American Academy of Chefs Inductees NORTHEAST Gloria M. Cabral, CWPC, CCE ACF Rhode Island Chapter Sponsored by: Linda S. Musch, CCE, AAC; Michael J. Harants, CEC, CCE, AAC MaryAnn P. Kiernan, CCC, CCE, MBA ACF Syracuse New York Chapter Sponsored by: Fritz Sonnenschmidt, CMC, AAC; Mark A. Mistriner, CEC, AAC Thomas Kiernan, CEC, CCA ACF Syracuse New York Chapter Sponsored by: Scott E. Steiner, CCE, AAC; William J. Tillinghast, CEC, AAC, MBA Richard A. Panzera, CEC, CCE ACF Pittsburgh Chapter Sponsored by: Byron J. Bardy, CMC, AAC; Arthurs S. Inzinga, CEC, CCE, AAC Gerard A. Prevost, CEC, CCE White Mountain Chapter of the ACF Sponsored by: Wilfred R. Beriau, CEC, CCE, AAC; Brian M. Coffey, AAC SOUTHEAST Bruce R. Christensen, CEC, CCA ACF Chefs of the Low Country Sponsored by: Ronald L. Andrews, CEC, AAC; Jean Yves A. Vendeville, CEPC, AAC Nancy L. Geddes, CEC ACF Virginia Chefs Association Sponsored by: Hans J. Schadler, CEC, AAC; Ted Kristensen, CEC, AAC Gary R. Klinefelter, CEC ACF Virgin Island Chefs and Cooks Association Sponsored by: James T. Thomas, CEC, AAC; Roland E. Schaeffer, CEC, AAC, HOF Lisa M. Ramsey, CEC, CEPC ACF Middle Tennessee Chapter Sponsored by: Stafford T. DeCambra, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC; Michael R. Osborne, CEC, AAC. Donald E. Sedivy, Jr., CEC ACF Palm Beach County Chefs Association Sponsored by: Dominick Laudia CEC, AAC; Roderick G.