A Message from your Central Region Vice President
It has been another amazing year for the American Culinary Federation Central Region. As always, it is my honor to represent the members of the Central Region. I would like to thank everyone for the vote of confidence in the recent election, I promise to do my very best to continue to serve you with integrity and pride. 
 
Cook. Craft. Create. ACF National Convention & Show at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort was a huge success. It was so inspiring seeing such great attendance along with so many first-time attendees. The ACF event staff along with the ACF Central Florida Chapter did an outstanding job with the organization, education and execution of all the festivities that week. Thank you to all who worked so hard to make the convention a success.
 
Congratulations to Chef Stafford T. DeCambra, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC, for being elected as our new ACF National President. 
 
I would also like to congratulate the rest of the newly elected ACF Board of Directors:
  • Secretary, Kyle Richardson, CEC, CCE, AAC
  • Treasurer, Christopher F. Donato, CEC, AAC
  • Northeast Region Vice President, Christopher J. Neary, CEC, CCA, AAC
  • Southeast Region Vice President, Kimberly Brock Brown, CEPC, CCA, AAC
  • Western Region Vice President, Carlton W. Brooks, CEPC, CCE, AAC
 
We had our first Board of Directors meeting in August and I have to say it was a very productive start to what I am sure will be an excellent term for this board. As always, if you have any questions, concerns or input please let me know. 
 
Once again, I would like to congratulate all of the Central Region members on their success this year and I look forward to seeing everyone at ChefConnect: Newport Beach, California, March 18-20, at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa.

Brian Hardy, CEC, CCA, AAC
Central Region Vice President
ACF Student Team National Champions
Chefs de Cuisine Association of St. Louis Inc.
Chefs de Cuisine Association of St. Louis team members are Sean Pham, Derek Kaliszewski, Nick Norton, Nick Wenz and Tim Polacek. Brian Bernstein and Scott Scheible coached.
This year's competition included an edible cold food buffet in addition to the hot-food competition. Team member Nick Wenz adjusts his team's platter.
Congratulations to all the Central Region winners and regional competitors. Photos from the convention are posted on ACF's Flickr page and available for you to download. Interested in competing in 2018? Click on the 2018 award applications below for more information and deadlines.
Hurricane Disaster Relief Efforts
The well-being of our members is very important to us and we want to lift the financial burden of those without food, shelter, power or employment due to the recent hurricanes. ACF members may be eligible for support from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) Disaster Relief Fund.
 
If you know a member who is in need of immediate financial assistance, please fill out the ACFEF Disaster Relief Fund Assistance Request form also located on the ACF Members Portal at www.acfchefs.org . For additional information, please call (904) 484-0220.

Disaster relief donations can be sent to ACFEF Disaster Relief Fund, c/o American Culinary Federation, 180 Center Place Way, St. Augustine, FL 32095.
ACF Young Chefs Club: Join Today!
The ACF Young Chefs Club wants to hear from 18- to 25-year-old members to learn their interests. A nswer the form below to get involved and share your ideas.

Have a question or suggestion for an activity? Email [email protected].
Stay connected with ACFYCC on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. Follow along for updates:
Facebook: @acfycc
Instagram: @acfycc
Snapchat: ACFYCC
ACFEF Apprenticeship Updates
Are you currently involved in an apprenticeship program or were you involved with one in the past? Share your experience with ACF! National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 13-19, is a nationwide event in which apprenticeships are recognized as a valuable career pathway. ACF will celebrate with a month-long event and publish members’ apprenticeship stories.
Important Dates and Announcements
ACFEF, through the Chef & Child initiative, will award a total of 30 grants at $150 each to support ACF chapters and chefs hosting nutrition outreach activities in celebration of Childhood Nutrition Day on, or around, Oct. 16 . Apply today at www.acfchefs.org/CND .
Speaker proposals are being accepted for the 2018 ACF event series. All proposed sessions must demonstrate innovative trends, information or techniques of interest to the culinary profession. Submit your proposed session title, description, learning objectives, preferred conference and a brief bio by Sept. 30 for consideration.
ChefConnect: Newport Beach, the Central/Western regional conference, will take place March 18-20 at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa. ACF is offering a payment plan option until Oct. 1. Call the ACF national office at (904) 824-4468 and ask to speak with an events team member to take advantage of this offer.
Be a Contributor
Sizzle magazine, ACF's quarterly digital magazine for culinary students and educators, is seeking submissions for 2018. If you would like to contribute as a subject-matter expert or provide a step-by-step demonstration, please click below.
American Culinary Federation, 180 Center Place Way, St. Augustine, FL 32095
(904) 824-4468 | Fax: (904) 940-0741

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