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. Smith, AAC
Denny Trantham, CEC, CCA, MBA ACF North Carolina Chapter Sponsored by: Thomas J. Macrina, CEC, CCA, AAC; Jeff Bacon, CEC, CCA, AAC
Peter F. Vossenberg, CEC, CCE, CCA ACF Central Florida Association Sponsored by: Roger W. Newell, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC; Joseph J. Hardiman, HAAC
CENTRAL Anthony D. Haacke, CEC Chefs de Cuisine Association of St. Louis Inc Sponsored by: Brian A. Hardy, CEC, CCA, AAC; Christopher A. Desens, CEC, CCA, AAC
John Reed, CEC, CCA Chefs & Culinary Professionals of Chicagoland Sponsored by: Michael H. Garbin, CEC, AAC; John Kaufmann, CEC, AAC, HOF
Jim M. Tinkham, CEC ACF Greater Kansas City Chefs Association Sponsored by: Mark E. Webster, CEC, CCE, AAC; Paul Santaularia, CEC, CCE, AAC
WESTERN Richard A. Reilly, CEC, CCA ACF Orange Empire Chefs & Professional Cooks Association Sponsored by: Michael L. Minor, CEC, AAC; Murat Day, CEC, AAC
2017 American Academy of Chefs Honorary Candidates for Induction Jim Binner National Director of Sales Lactalis Culinary Buffalo, New York Sponsored by Louis Venezia, CEC, AAC, HOF
Jorge F. Estela Southeast Division Manager Zonin 1821 North Miami Beach, Florida Sponsored by: Rene Marquis, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC
Paul S. Haar, JD Chancelier des États-Unis, La Confrérie de la Châine des Rôtisseurs Immigration Counsel, PLLC Washington, DC Sponsored by: Michael Ty, CEC, AAC
Johan T. Meinke, CEC Executive Chef - Retired Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Sponsored by: Richard R. Chene, CEC, AAC, and Timothy E. Tain, CEC, CCE, AAC
Claude D. Mongeau, CEC Senior Chef - Retired Saint Albans, Vermont Sponsored by: Thomas J. Macrina, CEC, CCA, AAC
Jan Osipowicz Executive Chef Tucson,Arizona Sponsored by: Michael H. Garbin, CEC, AAC and Elizabeth B. Mikesell, CEC, AAC
Steven Senick Retired Executive Chef Winter Springs, Florida Sponsored by: Reimund D. Pitz, CEC, CCE, AAC
2017 Academy of Chefs Awardees Chair's Medal Rajeev V. Patgaonkar, CEC, AAC Executive Sous Chef - Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center at Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan ACF Capital Professional Chefs & Cooks Association of Greater Lansing
Joseph Amendola Award Gerard M. Molloy, CEPC, AAC Pastry Chef Instructor, Monroe College New Rochelle, New York ACF Long Island Chapter
Chef Good Taste Award Ewart G. Jones, CEC, AAC, PhD Executive Chef - Retired League City, Texas ACF Texas Chefs Association
Sharing Culinary Traditions Award Jacqueline L. Hamilton, CEC, AAC Senior Executive Chef - U.S. Olympic Committee Colorado Springs, Colorado ACF Pikes Peak Chapter, Inc.
Lt. General John D. McLaughlin Award Brandon W. Parry, CEC, AAC, Senior Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy (Retired) Executive Chef, Lasher Co. Las Vegas, Nevada ACF Chefs Las Vegas
Lawrence A. Conti, CEC, AAC, HOF, Chair's Achievement Award Roger W. Newell, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC Retired Senior Chef Saint Cloud, Florida ACF Central Florida Chapter
Culinary Hall of Fame ™ Celebrated Chef Norman Van Aken Norman's Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes; 1921 by Norman Van Aken, Mount Dora "In the Kitchen with Norman Van Aken," Miami ACF National Member
2017 AMERICAN ACADEMY OF CHEFS CULINARY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
John D. Folse, CEC, AAC, HBOT The ACF of Greater Baton Rouge Sponsored by: Bert Cutino, CEC, AAC, HOF, HBOT
Denise S. Graffeo, CEC, AAC ACF Epicurean Club of Boston Sponsored by: Americo S. DiFronzo, CEC, CCA, AAC
Frederick A. Robinson, CEC, AAC ACF Philadelphia Delaware Valley Chefs Association Sponsored by: Michael K. McCombe, CEC, CCE, AAC
Honorary Culinary Hall of Fame
Jess Barbosa, CEC, AAC ACF Greater Kansas City Chefs Association Sponsored by: Michael Ty, CEC, AAC
Posthumous
Roger S. Kelly, CEC, AAC ACF Philadelphia Delaware Valley Chefs Association Sponsored by: Thomas J. Macrina, CEC, CCA, AAC
2017 ACF & AAC Event Dates - Mark your calendars!
Cook. Craft. Create. Orlando July 9th to 13th, 2017 - 2017 - Senior Chefs Meeting Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
The Cook. Craft. Create. Convention schedule is now available on the ACF Website (click here).
AAC events are as follows:
Sunday, July 9th: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. --- AAC Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, July 11th: 9:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. --- AAC Fellows Meeting 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. --- AAC Reception & Dinner - on site
Wednesday, July 12th: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. --- AAC Spouses' Brunch 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. --- Senior Chefs Meeting. Please call Faith Rose for details. 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. --- 9 holes shotgun start / 4 man best ball tournament. Please contact the Events Department to register for this tournament at (800) 624-9458 x506
Please contact Faith Rose, Academy Administrator, at the Academy office, (904) 484-0202, [email protected], if you have any questions. The event was held on June 2nd, 2017, at the Historic Ballroom at the Town and Gown, Los Angeles, California. The Chef was Eric Ernest of USC.
The American Academy of Chefs Dinner Hosted by the Chef De Cuisine Association of California & the American Academy of Chefs,with the University of Southern California Hospitality & Mission Community Hospital Partnership,in support of the 27th Annual Chef De Cuisine of California Scholarship Fundraiser in Los Angeles June 2, 2017
USC Hospitality and Chefs de Cuisine Association of California
AAC dinner Awards for service and appreciation
CCAC Cutting Edge awards presented by Robert Philips in recognition of their Leadership and service to the culinary profession. Gina Christian` Svante Johnson Rico DiFronzo Richard Reilly Mark Garcia Daniel Munro Rossi Chip Halpin Steve Solomon Thaddeus Thorne John Zinck
CCAC Presidential Appreciation Awards recipients are recognized for their unique and outstanding contribution to the culinary Industry in our Los Angeles community over the past year. Carlton Brooks Mark Spelman Sheri Coleman Brandon Parry Martin Gilligan James Thiering Dave Murphy
AAC Service Pins - presented to Academy Fellows who demonstrate participation, service and dedication to the Academy, the ACF and the Culinary profession. Dr Eloise Fernandez Daniel Drum Lake, Luis Martinez, Lucien Salama
AAC silver coin and certificate of appreciation, the limited edition coin with AAC and ACF logo is presented to an AAC Fellow or ACF member who has dedicated his service to the Academy, ACF, and the profession, they also demonstrate with high honor and involvement in the AAC and ACF and have been recognized by the Chair and Vice Chair, their regions AAC director and their Chapters.Coin #23 to Richard Morgan ( nominated by Bert Cutino) for his 70 years of ACF membership, his outstanding contributions to the "food" scene in Los Angeles and for his time at the Brown Derby where he invented the classic Cobb Salad.
Coin #24 and #25 to Chef Eric Ernest and Mark Aliano for their passion, drive and skills that have been evident for years in the culinary community. They collaborated for tonight's dinner, and orchestrated with Chef Philips and the USC community a dinner to remember and a substantial donation to our young Culinarians and the Academy.
A sample place setting at this elegant dinner.
Mark your calendars
Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner
Jess Barbosa CEC, AAC Honorary Inductee - 2017 - into the American Academy of Chefs, Hall of Fame & founding member of the ACF Greater Kansas City Chapter
A gala dinner honoring Chef Jess with the Lifetime Achievement Award will be held on:
Date: Sunday, September 24th Venue: Downtown Kansas City Marriott Further details to follow
American Academy of Chefs Board 2017 Scholarships & Grants
The American Academy of Chefs gave a $1,000 grants to the following Student Team Regional Champions to assist the team with expenses to travel to Cook. Craft. Create. Orlando 2017 to compete in the National competition. Central Region ACF Chefs de Cuisine Associationof St. Louis, Inc Central Region Student Culinary Team Western Region ACF Honolulu Chapter/Kapi'olani Community College Western Region Student Culinary Team Northeast Region ACF Cooks and Chefs of the Catskill Mountains SUNY Student Culinary Team
American Academy of Chefs Board, Officers and Committees. For a listing of the AAC Board and Committee members, please click here
This notable group consists of some new diverse members and some of our incumbents. Their expertise, experience and enthusiasm is heartfelt and we are sure they will represent you well and the Academy in all their endeavors. Please Directors for assistance, they can answer questions about upcoming events and dinners,and help with your chapters, and with Academy applications from your colleagues.reach out to your Regional
PHOTO GALLERIES OF PAST EVENTS
ACF Culinary Team USA at IKA, 2016 The 2016 Internationale Kochkunstausstellung (IKA) was held in Erfurt, Germany, in October, 2016. For photos of the ACF Culinary Team USA,please click here
Cook. Craft. Create 2016 Photo Gallery For a large selection of photographs of this event, please click here
ENJOY!
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS
Donations made to the American Academy of Chefs (AAC), the ACF Culinary Team USA, and Scholarship and Memorial Funds are tax deductible, as these entities are part of the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF), a 501(c)3 organization.
Donations, as many as you choose to make in any given year, are welcome at any time. On behalf of the entire Academy family, we thank you again for your generous support. Donations may be made by check mailed directly to the Academy Office, online, or via credit card by contacting Faith Rose, Academy Administrator, at the Academy office, (904) 484-0202. Please contact Faith if you have any questions.
CHANGES TO AAC POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Please go to the AAC website (click here), to see the AAC policies and procedures document which was revised by the AAC Board of Directors in July, 2016. This new version will be effective January 1st, 2017, with one exception: the deadline for nominations of national AAC officers is now December 1st, to fall in line with ACF election policies and procedures. See "Nominations for Elected AAC Office 2017-2019" section below, and in recent issues of the Academy Connection.
Content and wording of the AAC policies and procedures document are regularly
reviewed by the AAC Board of Directors. Changes are made as necessary at the annual Board meeting in July.
American Academy of Chefs Candidates for office - term 2017-2019
In accordance with American Academy of Chefs (AAC) Policies & Procedures, election results have to be announced by July 1, 2017. The elections for Chair and Vice Chair were unopposed. Per AAC policy, theAAC Nominations and Elections Committee Chairman Frank Leake, CCC®, CCE®, AAC® cast one vote per candidate and is pleased to announce that:
Mark Wright CEC®, CCE®, AAC®, has duly been elected National Chair of the American Academy of Chefs for the term of 2017-2019. Americo "Rico" DiFronzo, CEC®, CCA®, AAC®, has duly been elected National Vice Chair of the American Academy of Chefs for the term of 2017- 2019. If you have any questions, please address them to Frank Leake, CCC®, CCE®, AAC® at [email protected]
American Academy of Chefs
INDUCTION APPLICATION - NEW DEADLINE in 2017 FOR INDUCTION IN 2018
Effective January 1st, 2017, the new deadline for submission of AAC Induction applications will be December 1st, for induction into the Academy the following year. This deadline will apply for applications for induction into the Academy in 2018.
Also, two new criteria have been added to the Elective Goals section of the application form:
A host practical exam site administrator who successfully administers six local, regional or state certification exams. Responsible for bringing into the ACF within the last 10 years at least 10 new professional culinarians who are active national and chapter members.
The revised 'Elective Attainable Goals' list is already on the website. Click here In line with past practice, the full AAC induction application form will not appear on the website. For the process of obtaining a copy of the new application form, please go to the website - please click here - or contact the Academy office at [email protected], or the Foundation Administrator, Faith Rose, at [email protected], direct line (904) 484-0202.
PLEASE UPDATE YOUR PROFILE! 46 Academy Fellows do not receive birthday cards, because our database system does not have a note of their birth dates. In addition, the Academy office has over 30 returned letters and membership cards and, despite attempts to contact these individuals via telephone and email, it appears we have lost touch. On average, one out of every 5 Fellows with whom we speak has changed a home or work address, an email address or a phone number during the last 2 years. Please go online to the ACF website, log in to your account and check and update your profile. If you have difficulty accessing it, please do not hesitate to contact Faith Rose at (904) 484-0202 for assistance.
2017 American Academy of Chefs Applications Membership - Connection - Involvement
The "Prestigious Honor Society" of the American Culinary Federation offers a unique way to honor those who have worked hard and risen through the ranks of the culinary field. A successful application for acceptance as an AAC Fellow will serve as the culmination of years of involvement in the grand profession, and as an ACF member.
For guidelines on how to obtain an application form for a potential nominee, go to the acfchefs.org website: AAC Application (please click here)
An Academy Fellow must request an application for an individual potential inductee. Candidates will need two sponsor letters/letters of recommendation from voting Academy Fellows. An Academy Fellow is permitted to sponsor one new applicant per year, as is a Regional Director.
Applications must be returned by December 1st, 2017 (the new deadline date), for induction in 2018; timely and well documented applications are greatly appreciated.
Contact your Regional Academy Directors, Chapter Academy Committee Chairs, or the Academy Administrator, Faith Rose at [email protected], or at direct line: (904) 484-0202,if you have any questions.
Through the Academy Connection e-newsletter, the American Academy of Chefs provides members with news and information on products and services offered by the AAC, its partners and American Culinary Federation.
If you do not wish to receive the e-newsletter, please SafeUnsubscribe.
American Culinary Federation, 180 Center Place Way, St. Augustine, FL 32095