American Culinary Federation

Established in 1929, the "American Culinary Federation (ACF)" is the largest professional chefs' organization in North America.

ACF, which was the progeny of the combined visions of three chefs' associations in New York, comprises more than 18,000 members in 240 chapters across the United States, and is known as the authority on cooking in America. Its mission is to make a positive difference for culinarians through education, apprenticeship and certification, while creating a fraternal bond of respect and integrity among culinarians everywhere. One of ACF's defining historical moments remains the ACF-led initiative that resulted in the upgrade of the definition of chef from domestic to professional in 1976. [Michael Baskette and Brad Barnes] The ACF is a member of the World Association of Chefs Societies.

Culinary Competitions

Culinary Competitions are a vital and evolving branch of the American Culinary Federation. Some competitions are single events taking place at ACF chapters. Whereas other student and professional competitions that include individual and team events engage in a rigorous qualifying process that begins at the local ACF chapter level, advances at the AFC Regional Conferences and culminates with the finals at the ACF National Convention. Regardless of the level, the purpose is the same-to continually raise the standards of culinary excellence in the USA while promoting camaraderie and educational opportunities among culinary professionals. [American Culinary Federation, "ACF Culinary Competitions ...The Ultimate Challenge"]

American Culinary Federation Chef & Child Foundation

Founded in 1989 The Chef & Child Foundation seeks to "foster, promote, encourage and stimulate an awareness of proper nutrition in preschool and elementary school children", as well as fight against childhood obesity. Children benefit from the financial support which the foundation gives to other organizations which support childhood nutrition and obesity causes. They also support a yearly Chef & Child Day, where the ACF chapters from across the United States participate in local and national events to support children's causes.

The American Culinary Federation Chef & Child Foundation, Inc., focuses on the nutritional development of all of America's children in all economic segments. All children should learn how to cook and choose healthy foods. With many children living in homes with a single parent or with both parents working, children are cooking for their little brothers and sisters, and even for themselves and their parents.
[American Culinary Federation, "American Culinary Chef & Child Foundation"]

ACF Culinary Team USA

ACF Culinary Team USA, a program of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), is the official representative team of the United States in major national and international culinary competitions. ACF Culinary Team USA comprises one national team of six members, two regional teams of five members each, and a youth team of five members less than 23 years old. The regional teams, considered a training ground for the national team, work with and assist the national team when they are not competing. ACF Culinary Team USA competes in many competitions including three major international culinary competitions: Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung International Culinary Art Competition also known as the "Culinary Olympics;" The American Culinary Classic; and Culinary World Cup. [Leonard]

List of ACF Past Presidents

* 2005-Present John Kinsella, CMC, CCE, AAC
* Edward G. Leonard, CMC, AAC
* Noel Cullen, CMC, AAC
* Reimund Pitz, CEC, CCE, AAC
* Tim Ryan, CMC, AAC
* John Folse, CEC, AAC
* Michael Ty, CEC, AAC
* Keith Keogh, CEC, AAC
* Jack F. Braun, CEC, AAC
* Baron H. Galand, CEC, AAC
* Ferdinand E. Metz, CMC, AAC
* Richard Bosnjak, CEC, AAC
* Amato Ferrero, AAC
* Jack L. Sullivan, AAC
* John Bandera, CEC, AAC
* Willy Rossel, AAC
* C. Orby Anderson, AAC
* Peter Berrini
* Eugene Ertle
* Pierre Berard
* Paul Laesecke, AAC
* Charles Scotto [American Culinary Federation, "Office of the President"]

External links

* [http://www.acfchefs.org ACF home page]
* [http://www.acfchefs.org/Content/Events/Competitions/Calendar/default.htm ACF Culinary Competitions Calendar]
* [http://www.acfchefs.org/Content/ACFPrograms/ChefandChild/default.htm American Culinary Federation Chef & Child Foundation]

Notes

Works Cited

*American Culinary Federation, (2007) "ACF Culinary Competitions ...The Ultimate Challenge" Retrieved on April 6, 2007 from http://acfchefs.org/Content/Events/Competitions/default.htm
*American Culinary Federation, (2007) "American Culinary Chef & Child Foundation" Retrieved on April 6, 2007 from http://acfchefs.org/Content/ACFPrograms/ChefandChild/default.htm
*American Culinary Federation, (2007) "Office of the President" Retrieved on April 6, 2007 from http://acfcm5.advsolconsulting.net/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Office_of_the_President&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=982
*Leonard, Edward G., "American Culinary Federation’s Guide to Culinary Competitions". New York: Wiley, 2005
*Michael Baskette and Brad Barnes., "The American Culinary Federation's Guide to Culinary Certification". New York: Wiley, 2005