Membership News and Updates
ACF 2017 Salary Survey now available to ACF members!
ACF is pleased to offer this survey as a FREE benefit to all ACF members. Login to access it in the member portal . You can download ACF’s 2017 Salary Survey to compare earnings across the country, based on responses from thousands of professional chefs.  
2018 What's Hot Culinary Forecast
Each year, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) surveys ACF members to predict food and beverage trends at restaurants in the coming year. The annual “What’s Hot” list gives a peek into which food, beverages and culinary concepts will be the new items on restaurant menus that everyone is talking about in 2018. Get the results.
ChefConnect Schedule Updates
The theme for ACF's 2018 events is Be The Change... Keynote speakers, presenters and chef demonstrations will guide you in the latest culinary techniques and inspire you to #BeTheChange in your kitchen.
Trendsetting Pastry Demonstrations
Savory Sweets
Explore unique flavor combinations for imaginative sweet endings by utilizing a variety of savory ingredients such as mushrooms, olives and herbs.
Asian-Accented Desserts and Flavors
Learn to create dynamic flavor profiles, textural differences and temperature contrasts, and how to include Asian flavors in your pastry repertoire.
Happy Holidays Events Sale
Give yourself the gift of education and networking to grow your career. 
Professional members who purchase a full registration for either ChefConnect by Dec. 31 will receive $100 off the standard rate and be entered into a drawing to win an iPad! Call the Events team at (904) 824-4468 to receive this offer.
Special Airline Offer from Delta
Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for American Culinary Federation in 2018. Visit the Hotel & Travel page for the event you plan to attend to get the meeting code and more information.
Career Fair
Is your company is looking for more great chefs? Registration is open for the 2018 Career Fair series. Join us at ChefConnect: Charlotte, ChefConnect: Newport Beach and the ACF National Convention and Show in New Orleans, or come for all three and get a discount.  Share this application with your HR department.
Certification News
To stay in the loop on ACF certification updates, join the ACF Chefs Certification Facebook group.
ACF is expanding practical exam sites by reaching out to administrators and chapters. Learn more.
A new Certification Evaluator handbook is in development for Certification Evaluators. Review the current policy.
Do you want to be involved in the certification conversation? 
The Certification Commission is looking for a new member, preferably from the Western Region, who holds a CCC or CSC certification. All submissions will be reviewed and vetted by the Certification Commission Executive Committee. Please submit a letter of intention, resume and letter of chapter support to certify@acfchefs.net .   The deadline to submit is Friday, Dec. 15, 2017.
Chefcertification.com Supports ACFEF Chef & Child  
Chefcertification.com now offers 10% off courses plus a $5 donation to ACF Education Foundation’s Chef & Child initiative when you register using keycode: CCFtci17 . Courses are pre-approved by ACF for continuing education hours for initial and recertification requirements. The funds donated help ACFEF to provide tools and resources for community-based education in proper nutrition and the dangers of childhood obesity. 
Upcoming Deadlines
December Social Media Contest
ACF wants to see how you use cardamom in your kitchen. Enter the December Ingredient of the Month social media contest and you'll be entered into a drawing to win cool prizes. Contest ends Dec. 31.
Read the article and then complete the quiz to earn one hour of continuing education credit toward ACF certification.
Knowledge Bowl
The Knowledge Bowl is a battle of culinary wits! Face off against student teams to prove your chapter/school is the best in the nation! The deadline is extended to Dec. 15.
ACF Culinary Youth Team USA
ACF Culinary Teams are the official representative of the U.S. in international culinary competitions. The deadline for youth team applications is extended to Jan. 1, 2018. Click here for more details.
Presidential Awards
The deadline to nominate a colleague or restaurant for a presidential award is Dec. 31. These awards represent the highest honors ACF can bestow.

ACF Chefs in the News
ACF chefs are in the news and make a positive impact in their communities. Share your chapter's news with ACF by sending clips to pr@acfchefs.net .
Florida Technical College is launching a culinary-arts diploma program fully taught in Spanish. The program started Nov. 27 at the Kissimmee campus, but similar programs may start soon at the DeLand campus.
Congratulations to Chef Jean Vendeville, CEPC, Chair of Savannah Technical College's Culinary Arts Institute, who received two massive honors: France's Academic Palms - established by Napoleon in 1808 - as well as recognition by Savannah Tech. Chef has spent his life in the kitchen - half of that spent teaching others how to cook.
Trends, Techniques and Tastes
Where would you rather be?
Enacting positive change is the best way to encourage people to join the kitchen for a lifelong career.

5 "Killa" Takeaways on Southern Food
Take a sneak peek at Chef Grandinetti’s demo at ChefConnect: Charlotte. He also shares his famous hoecakes recipe!

Simply Beautiful: 4 Tips for Fruit and Vegetable Sculpting
Chef Stephan Baity has four tips for aspiring fruit and vegetable carvers.

American Culinary Federation, 180 Center Place Way, St. Augustine, FL 32095
(904) 824-4468 | Fax: (904) 940-0741