July 2019


Greetings, Academy Fellows:
It’s with a heavy heart I’m reporting the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Michel Bouit. Michel passed away peacefully on July 7 with Liz by his side. Michel was more than just a friend to me. He was a mentor, a confidant, and a partner. Rico and I owe a great deal to him with regards to our tenure as Academy officers. I grew accustomed to his weekly calls and looked forward to his always-positive outlook (which was present even when something wasn’t going our way). I know Michel will be missed by many of you and, of course, the ACF. Our supporters and sponsors were very important to him. He had a unique way of making each one of them feel special. Maybe it was that French accent, his friendly smile, or the quick step in his walk. Most of all, his genuine enthusiasm and noteworthy energy were contagious. After hearing of his passing, Rico and I wanted to find a special way to honor him. It was decided to give Michel posthumous recognition as a member of the Academy Hall of Fame. I have no doubt he would say, “It’s not my time; there are others more deserving,” but we believe this meaningful gesture is a fitting way to honor him for his many years of service to the ACF and the Academy. Please join us in remembering a talented Chef and a very kind man. God bless you, Michel.
Our annual induction dinner is fast approaching, and we are looking forward to a fantastic affair at the World Center in Orlando. If you have not made your reservations yet, please do so as soon as possible. If you have specific tables arrangements you would like made, please use the link: https://www.acfchefs.org/ACFSource/AAC/DinnerSeating.aspx. Rico, Karen, and I, along with help from the rest of the ACF staff, will be working on the seating arrangements. Please note our Spouses Lunch at the Isleworth Country Club is sold out! Thanks, everyone, for making your reservations so early. It will certainly prove helpful when planning for the necessary transportation.
Next on our agenda is getting some of you out on “the course” for a fun night. We will be playing nine holes, so get your foursomes together (or we can assist you). Prizes and refreshments will be served on the course, and a get-together afterwards will include snacks and drinks. The date is Wednesday, August 7 and the time is 5:30 p.m. Additional information can be found in this issue. You can register by contacting Karen at the national office (904) 484-0202.
Since this will be my last letter to you as Chair of the Academy of Chefs, there are a lot of people to thank for the four wonderful years. First, I’d like to thank my wife, Eileen, and my children, who have put up with all my traveling. They have been incredibly supportive and very understanding. Next would be my colleagues at SUNY Erie (Jackie, Rob, Eric, and all the adjunct faculty members) who have supported me as Chair and Vice Chair over the years. They’re a dedicated bunch of Chefs and Instructors who are all ACF members and who have ACF blood in their veins. I am proud to call them both co-workers and friends.
Special thanks to our office staff including, and especially, our Administrators--Sylvia, Michelle, Faith, Michelle, Kaitlynn, Michelle, and now Karen. All have done their share to make my tenure a truly great experience, especially Michelle Whitfield who is the “Marino Riveria of Administrators” (pull her from the bull pen for relief and you will have scoreless innings).
Please know I have found it to be incredibly rewarding to serve as Chair. I’ve met many talented and dedicated individuals during my tenure, including Academy fellows from all over the country and abroad. I’m humbled to have had the privilege of serving as a member of the Board of Directors and the opportunity to represent ACF and the AAC on many different levels. I’ve also enjoyed traveling to distant lands including Taiwan and, most recently, Japan where I served as an ACF ambassador, evaluator, and judge for international competitions. Special thanks to Chef Bill Sy, by the way, who was extremely instrumental in setting up these very memorable and meaningful trips.
The Academy is continuing to build a special relationship with the Chaine des Rotisseurs. The Chaine continues to generously donate to our Scholarship fund and actively recruits and secures new members both for the Chaine and the ACF. We continue to support their activities via participation in the Young Chefs Competition. Last year, the Pittsburgh Chaine and ACF Chapter hosted the Young Chefs competition. ACF members acted as floor and kitchen judges. Next year, the Buffalo Chaine and SUNY Erie will host this exciting competition. In addition, we continue to be involved with our neighbors to the North, the Culinary Federation of Canada. Many of our members have been inducted as “honorary members” as well as members of their Honorary Society. It is, without a doubt, a small world!
Over the years I’ve enjoyed meeting many truly gifted Chefs from some extraordinary chapters. Special thanks go to the St. Louis Chapter and their many hospitable members who made me feel right at home at their annual Academy Dinners. I’ve attended eight fantastic dinners and have been absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity and fellowship provided by their Chapter members.
I would like to thank Chef de Cuisine of California and other chapter members have been extremely generous to the Academy and continue to fundraise on our behalf. They are an exceptional ACF group with many dedicated members. Chicago chefs continue to impress as well with their dinners, fellowship, and noteworthy generosity—thank you very much for your efforts. Congratulations to all of them!
Philadelphia, sometimes called “my home away from home,” has a Chapter that deserves recognition for their ongoing work and munificent giving, and our Columbus, Ohio Chapter is another outstanding group whose many efforts are greatly appreciated. Our Chapter in Reno, Nevada continues to represent us very well (and it was one of the first chapters I visited when I became Chair—thanks, again!). There are many other chapters that have honored, and continue to honor, the Academy and their chapter fellows with significant testimonials and very special dinners. These include Kansas City, Baltimore, Seattle, Rhode Island, and Windsor, Ontario. The Epicurean Club of Boston (what a group!) are also great friends and generous colleagues. It’s important, as well, to take a moment and say, “Congratulations, Rico!” I have no doubt he will continue to improve the Academy and instill in our young colleagues the legacy of the Academy and the ACF!
Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t extend my heartfelt gratitude to my home chapter--the ACF of Greater Buffalo. During my tenure, the Buffalo Chapter has been extremely encouraging and I know they will always “have my back.” They continue to grow, mentor young chefs, and move our chapter forward. Thanks goes to our recent President, Jackie Bamrick, and our current President, Dorothy Morton, for your valuable support which helped make my participation in many out-of-town events possible. Your assistance truly was and is greatly appreciated.
At the time of this writing the election results have not been finalized. Congratulations to Joe or Rajeev on their election as Vice Chair of the Academy. I trust we will be in very capable hands. To Rico DiFronzo, “Congratulations and thank you,” for all you have done to make my time as Chair both pleasant and rewarding. Your guidance, companionship, and friendship will never be forgotten. I wish you all the best and will continue to support your efforts to move the Academy forward.
As I close, I’d like to say what a genuine honor and distinct privilege it has been to represent the Academy and, of course, the ACF these last four years. Little did I know when my chef, 48 years ago, said, “You need to join the Chefs Club,” I would someday represent the prestigious honor society of the ACF. I look forward to humbly serving our distinguished organization now and in the future, as one who not only values who we are, but where we’re headed. In doing so, I will do my utmost to live up to the honorable reputation so many of you have graciously bestowed upon me.

Thank you,
Mark

 
Mark Wright, CEC®, AAC® 
Chair, American Academy of Chefs 
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Don't be left out in the rain!!



Hotel Reservation Deadline is
Friday, August 12, 2019



2019 ACF National Conference!

RESERVE NOW!!


Sunday, August 4–Thursday, August 8, 2019
Orlando World Center Marriott
Orlando, Florida


ACF Event Registration:

American Academy of Chefs
Induction Dinner

is now OPEN to ALL ACF Members
Sunday, August 4, 2019
6:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Orlando World Center Marriott
Orlando, Florida


Gather to welcome new inductees and congratulate AAC Fellows receiving awards at this year's AAC Reception and Dinner. 


Annual AAC Induction Dinner Seating Request Form
Please complete the form by July 15 to make your seating request.  Click here .
2019 AAC Inductees

The American Academy of Chefs, the honor society of the American Culinary Federation, recognizes those ACF members who have met rigorous requirements and whose culinary achievements and involvement in ACF qualify them for Fellowship in this prestigious society.

Jeremy J. Abbey, CEC, CEPC, CCE, CCA
ACF Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association

Kerry J. Beadle, CEC, CCA
ACF Syracuse New York Chapter

Robert E. Brantly, CEC
ACF Myrtle Beach Chapter

Paul G. Brennen, Ed.D., CEC, CCA
ACF Middle Tennessee Chapter

Paul N. Brown, CEC, CCA
ACF Nation’s Capital Chefs Association

Jim Churches, CEC, CCA
ACF Chefs de Cuisine Association of California

Richard J. Crisanti, CEC, CCA
ACF Caxambas Chapter of Southwest Florida

Johnny W. Curet, CEC
Texas Chefs Association

Alexandra Alfano Higgins, CEC
ACF Chefs de Cuisine Association of California

Maria B. Iacovitti, CEPC
ACF of Greater Buffalo New York

Richard R. Kugelmann, CEC, CCA
American Culinary Federation Chefs of Charlotte Inc .
 
Kurt A. Kwiatkowski, CEC, CCA
 ACF Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association

Gary T. Lyons, CEC
ACF Fox Valley Chapter

Robert W. Marilla, CEC
American Culinary Federation Chefs of Charlotte Inc

Ray J. McCue, CEC
ACF Rhode Island Chapter

John Miller, CEC, CCA
ACF Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association

Andreas Proisl, CEPC
ACF Central Florida Chapter

John Selick, CEC, CCA
ACF Cleveland Chapter Inc

Ben Simpkins, CEC, CCA
ACF Palm Beach County Chefs Association

Robert Walljasper, CEC, CCE
ACF Big Apple Chapter

2019 Honorary AAC Inductees
Honorary Fellowship in the Academy is conferred upon individuals in recognition of their dedication and service to the culinary profession, as well as for their enhancement of the culinary arts through their unique accomplishments.
 
John Burson
Membre du Conseil Magistral
Chaîne des Rôtisseurs
Toledo, Ohio

Luis Del Cid
Director
Academia Culinaria de Guatemala
Henderson, Nevada

John Johnstone, CMC
Vice President, Food & Beverage
The Broadmoor
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Scott R. Paul
Southeast Regional Sales Manager/Corporate Chef
BelGioioso Cheese Inc.
Indian Trail, North Carolina

Mary Petersen
President
Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education
Annapolis, Maryland

Craig Youdale
Dean
Canadian Food and Wine Institute
Niagara College
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

James T. Young, CCC
Executive Chef
Retired
West Yarmouth, Massachusetts
2019 Culinary Hall of Fame Inductees  
Joe G. Aiello, CEC, AAC

Luigi G. Baretto, CEC, AAC

Michael L. Minor, CEC, AAC

Frank J. Setera, CEC, AAC (honorary)

Michel D. Bouit, CEC, AAC (posthumous)

Christopher J. Neary, CEC, CCA, AAC (posthumous)


2019 Culinary Hall of Fame Celebrated Chef

Gale Gand  

2019 Award Recipients 


2019 Chair’s Medal 

Linda S. Musch, CCE, AAC



2019 Lawrence A. Conti, CEC, AAC, HOF, Chair's Achievement Award

William J. Tillinghast, MBA, CEC, AAC



2019 Joseph Amendola Award 

Garry W. Waldie, CEC, CEPC, CCE, AAC



2019 Lt. General John D. McLaughlin Award 

Jeffrey P. Lein 



2019 Chef Good Taste Award

Deborah A. Bando-Duit, CEC, AAC



2019 Sharing Culinary Traditions Award Recipient

Costa N. Magoulas, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC


AAC Lifetime Achievement Award
Honoring
Chef George A. O’Palenick CEC, CCE, AAC, HOF
October 27, 2019
Crowne Plaza Warwick, RI

The AAC Members of the Rhode Island Chapter will be Honoring Chef George A. O’Palenick CEC, CCE, AAC, HOF with the AAC Lifetime Achievement Award on October 27, 2019 the Crowne Plaz a Warwick, RI (host of the 2014 Northeast Regional Conference). Hotel accommodations at either Crowne Plaza or Holiday Inn Express. For more information contact Linda Musch CCE, AAC (401) 787-5116 or  linda_musch@verizon.net
AAC Applications

are now available. Deadline for submittal is December 1, 2019. Requirements for induction can be found on the AAC website:

Tax-Deductible Donations


 
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. Please contact the Academy Administrator at   academy@acfchefs.net   if you have any questions. 
 
THANK YOU to all of our 2019 Donors!


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