September 2019

Greetings American Academy of Chefs Fellows!

  Greetings to all. It appears that fall has arrived, which reminds us that we now only have three short months remaining to receive applications from chefs who would like to be inducted into the AAC® in 2020. If you know of members in your chapters or other colleagues who are working on their applications, I ask that you kindly assist them. You may also remind them that they always have the option to contact our AAC® Regional Directors, who are eager to offer their assistance. I have enclosed a link to the list of our AAC® Regional Directors’ email addresses for you to use and share. Click here

 In addition, I am including a link to the AAC® application that you may share with members of your chapter. Click here

At this time Joe and I would like to introduce our new AAC® board and committee members. We would like to extend our thanks to each of them for volunteering so that they may work towards advancing the mission of the Academy.

Ambassador
John Minniti, CCE®, AAC®, HBOT, HOF
Past Chair Council
Fritz Sonnenschmidt, CMC®, AAC®, HOF
John Minniti, CCE®, AAC®, HBOT, HOF, Chair
Thomas J. Macrina, CEC®, CCA®, AAC®, HBOT, HOF
Stafford DeCambra, CEC®, CCE®, CCA®, AAC®
Mark G. Wright, CEC®, AAC®
Chair Honorary Board of Trustees
Honorary Board of Trustees
John Folse, CEC®, AAC®, HOF, HBOT
Thomas J. Macrina, CEC®, CCA®, AAC®, HBOT, HOF
Ferdinand Metz, CMC®, AAC®, HOF, HBOT
John Minniti, CCE®, AAC®, HBOT, HOF
Harold S Small, HAAC®, HBOT, JD
James Doherty, HAAC®, HBOT, HHOF, Emeritus
Dr. Michael J. Martello, HBOT, HAAC®, Emeritus
Jim Singerling, HAAC®, HBOT, HHOF, Emeritus
Chair Culinary Hall of Fame
Culinary Hall of Fame
Roland E. Schaeffer, CEC®, AAC®, HOF
Wolfgang D. Geckeler, CEC®, AAC®, HOF
John Kaufmann CEC®, AAC®, HOF
Walter W. Leible, CMC®, AAC®, HOF
Regional Academy Directors
Central Region
Northeast Region
Southeast Region
Western Region
Military Regional Director
Sergeants-at-Arms
Committee Chairs
Public Relations and Marketing
Scholarship Committee
Eloise Fernandez, CEC ®, CCE ®, AAC ®, Western Regional Member
Richard M. Hoffman, CEC ®, CCA ®, AAC ®, Northeast Regional Member
Peter F. Vossenberg, CEC®, CCE®, CCA®, AAC®, Southeast Regional Member
Senior Chefs Committee
Vincent Blancato, Southeast Region Member
Murat Day, CEC®, AAC®, Western Region Member
Jim Douglas, CEC®, CCE®, AAC®, HOF, Past Chair Advisor
Charles Duit, CEC®, AAC®, Central Region Member
Anthony Graffeo, CEC®, AAC®, HOF, Northeast Region Member
Denise Graffeo, CEC®, AAC®, HOF, Northeast Region Member
Fellowship Committee
Nominations and Elections Committee and Special Projects
Lifetime Achievement Committee
Jim M. Tinkham, CEC®,CCA®, AAC®, - Advisor

In last month’s Academy Connection, I inadvertently did not recognize one of our AAC® Fellows who had received an award at the ACF National Convention. Please join me in congratulating Chef Richard M. Hoffman CEC® , CCA® , AAC® on being awarded the 2019 Dr. L. J. Minors Chef Professionalism Award.

The Academy was founded in 1955, which means that next year we will be celebrating our 65 th anniversary. In preparation, during the next several months we will be working on updating the AAC® ’s web pages, which includes incorporating a fresh look into them. These pages are an important part of the AAC® , serving as a window into the work of the Academy. They supply information and history, as well as allow the world to view the great work of this honor society of the ACF, including the scholarship program that strongly supports our next generation of Chefs. We are able to show now more than ever, that we honor our past, as Fellows of the AAC® and share through these pages our efforts to help the future of our industry, giving a glimpse into just a few ways that we are fulfilling our mission every day. I have also seen that many AAC® Fellows are giving back via Facebook, and therefore we will be setting up in Facebook an AAC® group within the ACF’s Facebook page. This will provide another way to show the work of our Fellows, as well as to give you the opportunity to post some of your great work, which will inspire others. In addition, we will also be setting up an Instagram page so we can share some of the exciting photos of our Regional and National AAC® dinners.

Another great event is coming up in 2020. Let’s congratulate and recognize the ACF Culinary Youth Team USA, who will be headed to Stuttgart Germany this February and will proudly represent all of our younger ACF members, the ACF and the USA as they go for the gold! I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to all who have purchased copies of the Inspire book and who have made donations to the fund. Because of proceeds from the book and donations, the AAC® is able to financially support the ACF Culinary Youth Team USA in covering the cost of their travel to the Culinary Olympics. I feel we should give recognition to the Inspire Book Fund for helping to get the team on their way next year! Joe and I are also asking for your kind support in helping us in giving one more push by making a donation to the ACF Culinary Youth Team USA. On that note, during the next few months, we would like to move out the last of the Inspire books therefore we will be offering the following special deals:  buy one book for $15.00 with free shipping , buy 2 books for $25.00 with free shipping or buy 2 cases of books (which is 24 books for only $150.00, plus shipping). This effort would surely help build this fund up again, so that in 4 years’ time, we will once again be able to help our 2024 Youth Team ge t to the Culinary Olympics and show the world what the ACF youth can do!

ACF Culinary Youth Team
Elijah Luck, CSC ® , Team Captain
Melissa Dodd
Torian Jenkins
Charlotte McCale, CFC ®
Ellianna Pageler
Bailey Sargent
Madison Woods
Edward Adel, CEC ®, Team Coach


In closing, Joe and I would like to share a few “thank you” messages we have received from some of the ACF student members who were supported by the AAC® in 2019. Fellows, keep up your great work!

Warm regards,
Rico

Rico DiFronzo, CEC® , CCA ® , AAC®
Chair, American Academy of Chefs

*****
Hello,
Thank you for awarding me the $210 to put towards my culinary education. Preparing to participate in the Knowledge Bowl required hours of studying and practicing. It was rewarding to gain the culinary information and succeed at the regional competition. This award is an additional and unexpected reward. Although I have already completed my A.S. in culinary arts and my baking and pastry certificate last May, I will use the funds to renew my ACF membership and complete the recertification needed for my CPC. The opportunity to attend both the Northeast region and nation ACF convention was also quite enriching. I have appreciated my experience at both Knowledge Bowl competitions.

Thank you,
Julie L. Marolf, CC, CPC
Pastry Cook III
The Hotel Hershey

*****

Hello Chefs,
I wanted to take a moment to say a big Thank You to the American Academy of Chefs for their generous donation of student grants to our team. The students at the Culinary Institute of Michigan are very appreciative of the $400 grant they received from the AAC. We wanted to make sure you knew that we received the checks and the grant money will definitely be put to good use to further their education. The grant money was a very motivational tool for our team specifically and we can never thank you enough for the generous donation and the huge motivational piece to our national championship win. Thank You again.

Very Respectfully,
Amanda N. Miller, CC, CPC
Culinary Arts/Baking & Pastry Arts Instructor
Culinary Institute of Michigan – Muskegon
A Division of Baker College

*****

Hi Chef, 
I just wanted to thank you for the grant which was awarded to myself and my fellow Knowledge Bowl Team members! I am so grateful for the grant. This will assist so much with my schooling expenses and allow me to spend more time focusing on my schoolwork. Thank you so much for your generosity! 

Best Wishes,
Caitlin West
*****

Chef Rico DiFronzo, 
My name is Erin Jones. I am the captain of the UVU Culinary Arts Knowledge Bowl team. I was under the impression that only the winning team was awarded their highest-scoring game in grant money. Imagine my surprise and my delight to find out that wasn't the case. Thank you for such a generous offering. Being a student is very expensive and each semester brings new expenses. This grant money will help alleviate that burden. Thank you for helping further my culinary education. I appreciate it so much. 

Thank you, 
Erin Jones



2019 AAC Induction Dinner

Sunday, August 4, 2019


A great time was had by one and all. Click on the link to revisit a FUN & FABULOUS evening!!!

Find your favorite memories or maybe some you don't remember. Click here

Start planning your trip to next years dinner in Dallas, TX. Don't miss out on the fun.


National Convention Dallas 2020

Sunday, July 19, 2020 to Thursday, July 23, 2020
Hilton Anatole
Early Bird Rate Deadline: March 16 2020

The fun was only getting started.


Monday had the AAC Spouses heading to Isleworth Country Club for the annual Spouses Luncheon . The spouses had time to mix, mingle and have an amazing lunch. Some even found that they had grown up in the same neighbor and had the mutual childhood friendships. What a small world we live in!!

Click on the link to view the event
They say work hard and play harder.



The AAC ® Chefs and friends did just that. Wednesday evening held the Annual Golf Outing . The rain tried to slow us down but we prevailed!!!

Golf, food and fun was the name of the game!
Congratulations to all the winners


The winning team is:

John Kukucka, AAC ®
Rocco Paradiso (not pictured)
Gerry Pressinger
Darrell Thomason
Mens Closest to the Pin: Geoff Jones

Mens Longest Drive: Fernando Mojica, CEC ®

Womens Longest Drive: Julie A. Kilgore


Click on the link to view the event



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 Plaza 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
Chicago Chefs
And
The American Academy of Chefs ®

Cordially invite you and your guests to attend

The Thirty-Eighth Annual Chicago Chefs, AAC ® Gala Dinner

Honoring Steven Jilleba, CMC®, CCE® AAC®
Saturday, November Second,
Two Thousand and Nineteen
At Six O’clock in the Evening

Hosted by
 
Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile
20 East Chestnut Street
Chicago IL 60611

Rosemary, Ticket Chair
Cell Phone (630) 254-1049
Email: worldstiti@yahoo.com
or mail to; 9450 Keystone Ave, Skokie, IL 60076
AAC ® Applications

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

Invite an ACF Member to Join

The "Prestigious Honor Society" of the American Culinary Federation, The American Academy of Chefs ® , offers a unique way to honor those who have worked hard and risen through the ranks of the culinary field. 

A successful application for acceptance as an AAC ® Fellow will serve as the culmination of years of involvement in the grand profession, and as an ACF member.

An Academy Fellow must request an application for a potential inductee by sending an email to  academy@acfchefs.org.  


INSPIRE


It’s a book with style all its own, something for both young and old, professional and amateur, apprentice and seasoned chefs.   Inspire  is a collection of professional photos, footnotes, recipes and ideas provided by students, mentors, and the AAC ® Fellows.  Inspire  will challenge, stimulate, motivate and encourage all of us! Let’s all get continue to help support ACF Culinary Youth Team USA to 2020 IKA, also known as the “Culinary Olympics,” in Germany, and beyond!
Special Pricing!!

Start your shopping early!!! It's a great holiday gift. Christmas is only 98 days away. Don't be left out in the cold. Have a keepsake of great memories from the American Academy of Chefs.

2 Cases (24 books) $150.00 plus $40.00 shipping)
1 Book (includes shipping) $15.00
2 Books (includes shipping) $25.00


Get yours today. While supplies last!!!!
The American Academy of Chefs ® would like to thank the following for their generous donations this past month (August 18 - September 9):


David Leo Banks, CEC ® , AAC ®
Jim Churches, CEC ® , CCA ® , AAC ®
John Miller, CEC ® , CCA ® , AAC ®
Addiemae Rolle Farrington, CEC ® , HAAC ®
Hans J. Schadler, CEC ® , AAC ®
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!
Through the Academy Connection e-newsletter, the American Academy of Chefs provides members with news and information on products and services offered by the AAC ® , its partners and American Culinary Federation. 

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