August, 2017 Volume XVII, Issue 6

Greetings American Academy of Chefs Fellow Chef , "Hey Mickey, you're so fine...♫♪♫♪" As a result of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and the wholegang being "so fine," the ACF and the Academy enjoyed anamazing week of networking, food and wine, as well as funand education at this year's annual meeting. TheCook.Craft.Create Convention and Show held at theCoronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida, was an

overwhelming success! Rico and I had the pleasure to introduce and induct 16 new Academy Fellows, 7Honorary Academy Fellows, 5 members to the Hall of Fame, and Norman VanAken into the Hall of Fame as our celebrated chef. Chef Van Aken continues to bea pioneer in the Florida area where he incorporated and blended Latin, Caribbean,and local ingredients creating a unique "Florida" cuisine. Chef's acceptance speechwas both eloquent and appreciative. The next day, Chef Van Aken's seminar was aSRO (Standing Room Only) event and was also very well received. Our annual Academy Board of Directors meeting was held during the show atwhich time we continued to update our Policies and Procedures, review ourfinancial statements and 2018 budget, and review the past year's activities. Ourregional directors reported on activities in their respective regions which includedreviewing prospective candidates, reaching out to local and regional sponsors, andcontinuing their tireless support of our Academy objectives. Discussion alsoincluded reports from the Chair of the Hall of Fame, Military Liaison, and theHonorary Board of Trustees. We would like to sincerely thank all of our"directors" for their service to the American Academy of Chefs. Our Honorary Board of Trustees (HBOT) met this year at the Coq Au Vinrestaurant, which is owned by Chef Reimund Pitz, an Academy member. Chair, BertCutino welcomed some notable guests at the meeting including David Tetrault,Administrator of La Châine des Rôtisseurs, Canada, and Thomas Gugler,President of the World Association of Chefs Societies. Meeting topics includedfundraising activities relating to our relationship with the Châine des Rôtisseurs.Chefs John Folse, Bert Cutino and Harold Small, Bailli Délégué/ U.S. National

2017 SPONSORS

Grand Platinum

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze

President, Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs of the United States, sharedinformation regarding a large fundraising opportunity that will be available duringour time in New Orleans next year, as near as possible to our annual meeting. Thisaffair is being billed as the "Dinner of the Century" and will be a collaboration ofthe Academy, the Châine, and the Master Sommeliers. Needless to say, it promisesto be most memorable and something you won't want to miss. Celebrity Chefs fromLouisiana and New Orleans will be participating. Additional details will beprovided as soon as they become available. Our annual dinner, held at the hotel, was certainly spectacular. We were greeted bysome beautiful ice carvings, appetizers, and, of course, our signature Tito 's Vodkacocktail. Logo Academy Ice carvings graced the tables along with our keepsakeplates which were provided by Libbey China, with everything accented by thecolorful linens. Chef de Cuisine Peter Daledda and staff provided us with animpressive menu paired with excellent Zonin wines, served professionally andpromptly by the staff at the Coronado Springs. During dinner, we presented ourannual awards to some very deserving Academy Fellows (they are listed below). Iwould be remiss, however, if I did not mention Rajeev Patagaonkar and hisexcitement and appreciation for receiving the Academy Chairs medal. After dinnerwe enjoyed wines, coffee, and a dazzling selection of delectable desserts providedby the hotel's Pastry Chefs. I hope those of you who attended enjoyed our cigarrollers, and, of course, a nice smoke after dinner, or later in the week. But wait, there was more! On Wednesday evening, 24 hearty souls "teed" off withus at the Magnolia Golf course for our Annual Golf Tournament, dubbed this yearas the "Magical Academy Golf Outing." The rain held off for the golfing, but camedown during our trip back. Chef Daledda was on top of it though, and moved ourBBQ under the portico. Sausages, hot dogs, burgers, assorted salads, and, ofcourse, some swing lubricants (we needed them earlier) were provided. Weawarded prizes to the First and Second-place teams, our Longest Drive winner, andClosest to the Pin. During the convention, we met with the Senior Chefs as we, the Academy, nowsupport them. We presented our agenda to the Senior Chefs at the meeting and thendiscussed some interesting ideas. Topics included proposals about finances aswell as suggestions for speakers who can share information about retirement funds,social security, and other matters for those who are retired and/or are nearingretirement. (I know you can't tell by my incredibly youthful appearance, butretirement is actually very close for me as well!) A hearty congratulations goes out to the new ACF board! Rico and I wish them allthe best during their terms. Thank you, as well, for the vote of confidence youbestowed upon Rico and me. Our re-election as Chair and Vice Chair is greatlyappreciated. We're looking forward with great excitement to serving you foranother two years. During our annual meeting, Rico and I were overwhelmed by the donations to theoperating fund, our scholarships, and for memorials for Chapter Fellows. Wereceived and officially accepted very generous checks from the California Chef deCuisine during the meeting including a $15,000 check to the operating fund, $5,000to team USA, and $5,000 to the Inspire fund. Thanks to all of the participants from

FriendsAll Regional Conferences

Empire Merchants

Heritage WineCellars

M Slavin & Sons

the CCAC who made this possible! Special thanks goes out to Michael Ty for his donation to the Operating Fund.Michael put out a challenge to those Fellows in attendance that he would matcheach individual's $1,000 donation up to $5,000. The challenge was accepted, andwe now have Michael's original donation plus the pledges. Again, kudos toeveryone for their tremendous contributions and the extraordinary work youcontinue to do on the Academy's behalf. A quick reminder to everyone. Please begin to seriously consider whom you maywant to sponsor for Induction in 2018. Carefully review the application and thecriteria which can be found on-line and, if you have questions, please reach out toyour region's Directors - or to Rico, Faith, and me. We would be happy to guideyou along. Next year we will meet in New Orleans. I can honestly say we should bein for a special treat as this great city is well known for its cuisine, parties, andgenuine fun. Congratulations to Chef Jess Barbosa! He will receive the American Academy ofChefs Lifetime Achievement Award based on his history with ACF, his many yearsas a Hotel Chef, and his noteworthy achievements over the 65 years he has been amember. We hope you will join us in congratulating Chef Jess at a dinner being heldin Kansas City on September 24. Details are in this month's Connection. I hope you will also join me in congratulating Faith Rose who continues to guideRico and me along the "straight and narrow." Faith has been a welcome addition tothe Academy family. As I'm sure you're already aware, our dinners and variousevents are successful as a result of the efforts put forth by many individuals. I'd liketo extend my sincere appreciation to both Michel Bouit and Liz Bergin for theirongoing assistance and help "behind the scenes." Their hard work and ongoingcommitment are noteworthy indeed. We appreciate and want to recognize, Amy and Jayme, our events staff, and theentire ACF staff who answer many questions professionally and with a smile. Aspecial "thank you" goes to Heidi who continues to keep all things in perspectivefor us as well. In closing, please continue to pray and remember the many Academy and ACFFellows who have passed away this year. We honor their dedication, we honortheir accomplishments, and we honor their commitment to the profession. For now, and until we meet again, "Go Bills!" Mark Mark Wright, CEC®, AAC®

Chair, American Academy of Chefs

Details of all 2017 American Academy of Chefs Inductees, Honorary

Inductees, Hall of Fame Inductees, Awardees & Celebrated Chef are now on the ACF Website.

AAC Inductees and Honorary Inductees: Hall of FameAwardeesCelebrated Chef

To view the AAC album and other albums from the 2017 NationalConvention, please go to:

ACF Flickr Photostream

Cook.Craft.Create. 2017 - Orlando. AAC Dinner, July 11th. Trumpeter, Mike Iapichino, of OrlandoEvent Bands, heralding each American Academy of Chefs inductee. Photograph by Robb Cohen Photography& Video LLC.

AAC dinner, centrepiece provided by IcePro. Photograph by Robb Cohen Photography & Video LLC.

One of the AAC dinner courses. Photograph by Robb Cohen Photography & Video LLC.

Speciality shot at the AAC Reception. Photograph by Robb Cohen Photography & Video LLC.

Cook.Craft.Create. Orlando 2017. AAC dinner, July 11th. From left to right: incoming American CulinaryFederation National President, Stafford T. DeCambra, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC; Americo "Rico" DiFronzo,CEC, CCA, AAC; American Academy of Chefs Chair, Mark Wright, CEC, AAC. Photograph by RobbCohen Photography & Video LLC.

Checks presented by the Chef De Cuisine Association of California with the University of Southern CaliforniaHospitality & Mission Community Hospital Partnership. Their 27th Annual Chef De Cuisine of CaliforniaScholarship Fundraiser was held in Los Angeles, June 2, 2017. From left to right at rear: Eric Ernest, CEC,CCA; Mark Wright, CEC, AAC, AAC Chair; "Rico" DiFronzo, CEC, CCA, AAC, AAC Vice Chair;Stafford T. DeCambra, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC, incoming ACF National President; Reimund D. Pitz, CEC,CCE, AAC; Thomas J. Macrina, CEC, CCA, AAC, outgoing ACF National Presdent. Front: Robert W.Phillips, CEC, CCA, AAC. Photograph by Robb Cohen Photography & Video LLC.

Cook.Craft.Create. Orlando 2017. AAC dinner, July 11th. From left to right: 2017 Celebrated Chef, NormanVan Aken, HHOF; John A. Minniti, CCE, AAC, HBOT, HOF, incoming AAC Ambassador. Photograph byRobb Cohen Photography & Video LLC.

Checks presented by members of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs at the AAC dinner, July 11th, atCook.Craft.Create. Orlando 2017. From left to right: Rene J. Marquis, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC; Harold S.Small, HAAC. HBOT, JD; Michael Ty, CEC, AAC, Past ACF President; "Rico" DiFronzo, CEC, CCA,AAC Vice Chair; Mark Wright, CEC, AAC, AAC Chair; Reimund D. Pitz, CEC, CCE, AAC; Thomas J.Macrina, CEC, CCA, AAC, outgoing ACF National Presdent. Photograph by Robb Cohen Photography &Video LLC.

Cook.Craft.Create. Orlando 2017. AAC Fellows Meeting, July 11th. Inductees pending their induction intothe American Academy of Chefs, 2017 Awardees, and members of the AAC and ACF Boards of Directorsand Committees. Photograph by Robb Cohen Photography & Video LLC.

Cook.Craft.Create. Orlando 2017. Honor Guard presenting colors at the AAC Dinner, July 11th. Photographby Robb Cohen Photography & Video LLC.

TIERNEY BAMRICKgave a presentation to the 2017

American Academy of Chefs® Spouses' BrunchAmerican Academy of Chefs® Spouses' Brunch on on

PRESENTATION TITLE: I'd rather watch Netflix: Why the arts

STILL matter

SUMMARY: Ms. Tierney Bamrick gave an interesting and amusing overview of the current "STATE of the ARTS" to theAAC Spouses' lunch attendees on July 12th, 2017, at Cook.Craft.Create. Orlando, 2017 Tierney Bamrick is a singer and arts administrator from Memphis, TN. She holds a master's degree in music(classical vocal performance) from Vanderbilt University and the University of Colorado at Boulder. Keenlyinterested in the business and sociology of the arts, Tierney made the transition from performance toadministration following the completion of her master's work. Since then she has become deeply involved inexploring the future of the classical arts industry, focusing on topics including community engagement,women in the arts, and equity & diversity. She was a member of the 2015 ArtsMemphis class of CommunityEngagement Fellows, which was lauded by organizations including Americans for the Arts. From her seat asMarketing Director at Opera Memphis, she is intricately involved in the creation and execution of thecompany's award-winning community outreach and engagement programs, including the upcoming McCleaveProject for equity and diversity.

2018 ACF & AAC Event Dates - Mark your calendars!

ChefConnect: Charlotte Sunday, February 25-Tuesday, February 27, 2018 TheWestin Charlotte Charlotte,North Carolina

ChefConnect: Newport Beach Sunday, March 18-Tuesday, March 20, 2018 Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa Newport Beach, California

Cook. Craft. Create. ACF National Convention & Show.July 15-19, 2018. Hyatt Regency New Orleans NewOrleans, LA

Chefs and Culinary Professionals of Chicagoland AndThe American Academy of Chefs

Cordially invite you and your guests to attendThe Thirty-Sixth Annual CCPC AAC Gala Dinner

Honoring Elizabeth Bergin, HAAC

DATE: Saturday, November Eleventh, 2017. At Six O'clock in the EveningVENUE: W Lakeshore. 644 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago Il 60611.$135.00 Per Person - Formal Dress Optional. Seating Limited to 120 Guests

Please RSVP before October 29, 2017 to Joanne Madura, Ticket Chair by Phone or Email (847) 867-7539JEMadura@me.com. A special room rate of $169.00 has been extended by theW Lakeshore.Call (888) 627-9034. Reservationsmust be made by October 10, 2017.

You are cordially invited to the 2017Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner

honoring

Jess Barbosa CEC, AAC, HHOF Honorary Inductee - 2017 - into the American Academy of Chefs, Hall of Fame

& founding member of the ACF Greater Kansas City Chapter

The gala dinner honoring Chef Jess with the Lifetime Achievement Awardwill be held on:

Date: Sunday, September 24th, 2017Time: 6:00 p.m. Reception then dinner Venue: Downtown Kansas City Marriott, 200 West 12th St, Kansas City, MO,64105

Cost: $95.00 per person - Black tie and medals required.

Please RSVP before September 18th, 2017. Phone or email Jim Tinkham at (816)-547-1820; tinkhamj@william.jewell.edu; Or go to GKCCA chapter website: www.kcchefs.org

For hotel reservations, please contact the hotel direct at: (816) 421-6800. A limitednumber of rooms are available for the night of September 24th, at a special roomrate of $160.00.

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

TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS Donations made to the American Academy of Chefs (AAC), the ACF CulinaryTeam USA, and Scholarship and Memorial Funds are tax deductible, as theseentities 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 atany time. On behalf of the entire Academy family, we thank you again for yourgenerous support. Donations may be made by check mailed directly to theAcademy Office, online, or via credit card by contacting Faith Rose, AcademyAdministrator, at the Academy office, (904) 484-0202. Please contact Faith if you have any questions.

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 Inductionapplications will be December 1st, for induction into the Academy the followingyear. This deadline will apply for applications for induction into the Academy in2018.

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 sixlocal, regional or state certification exams.Responsible for bringing into the ACF within the last 10 years at least 10 newprofessional culinarians who are active national and chaptermembers.

The revised 'Elective Attainable Goals' list is already on the website. Clickhere

In line with past practice, the full AAC induction application form will not appearon 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 atacademy@acfchefs.net, or the Foundation Administrator, Faith Rose, atfrose@acfchefs.net, direct line (904) 484-0202.

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR PROFILE!

46 Academy Fellows do not receive birthday cards, because our databasesystem does not have a note of their birth dates.In addition, the Academy office has over 30 returned letters and membershipcards and, despite attempts to contact these individuals via telephone andemail, it appears we have lost touch.On average, one out of every 5 Fellows with whom we speak has changed ahome or work address, an email address or a phone number during the last 2years.

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 aunique way to honor those who have worked hard and risen through the ranks of theculinary field. A successful application for acceptance as an AAC Fellow willserve as the culmination of years of involvement in the grand profession, and as anACF member. For guidelines on how to obtain an application form for a potential nominee, go tothe acfchefs.org website: AAC Application (please click here)

An Academy Fellow must request an application for an individual potentialinductee. Candidates will need two sponsor letters/letters of recommendation from

voting Academy Fellows. An Academy Fellow is permitted to sponsor one newapplicant per year, as is a Regional Director. Applications must be returned by December 1st, 2017 (the new deadline date), forinduction 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 frose@acfchefs.net, or at direct line: (904) 484-0202,if you have any questions.

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