Hello, friends!

It has been a long time since many of us have seen each other and I hope you all are doing well. I would like to apologize for being silent over the past ten months or so. Like many of you, I have spent my days doing what I can to keep my team employed and our doors open to guests. Though it has been tough, we are continuing to push forward, and I know that we will weather this storm. I would like to share a few items with you about our chapter and ACF as a whole.

This past year our chapter, The Washington State Chefs Association, was named ACF ‘Chapter of the Year’ at the Virtual National Convention! Thank you to all of our members, officers, and volunteers! Cheers! 

Our chapter is only as good as our committees, and we have a few open positions.

Please email Chef LaVielle at [email protected] if you are interested or have any questions! 

We currently have three Practical Exams scheduled at Renton Technical College for 2021.

Dates: February 6th, May 15th, and October 2nd

Visit the Certification page for more info. You can register online or submit the Practical Exam Candidate Registration Form. If you have ANY questions about certification, please reach out any of our board members, other chapter-certified chefs or to me personally and we will walk you through the process.

Late last year ACF launched ‘Chef’s Table’, connect, collaborate and be part of the ACF Family. Visit now for the latest discussions, answer questions and learn best practices. Our chapter has it’s own page so feel free to start a discussion with fellow members or engage with others across the country. Here is the link to our page: ACF Washington State Chefs Association Community

ACF recently launched a promotion for complimentary 90-day memberships. Invite your friends and colleagues to check out this promotion. Have them get familiar with the acfchefs.org website and engage in some of the free educational courses that are offered or log on to Chef’s Table.

The Washington State Chef's Association Foundation has multiple scholarships available for culinary students and apprentices. Please visit the WSCA Scholarships page to view the scholarships and apply.

I have been alerted recently of scam artists sending emails pretending to be me and are asking for money, gift cards, credit card numbers and checks. THESE ARE SCAMS! If you receive an email from me that is asking for any of these things, please reach out to me via phone immediately. My contact info is listed below.

2020 brought many of us one of our worst years yet. With businesses forced to close, lost jobs, and over 400,000 of our fellow citizens losing their lives, our hope is that brighter days are ahead. We have also witnessed and been surrounded by the largest civil rights movements in our Nation’s history. I have wondered how I wanted to word this part of the newsletter as I am a man of great empathy. My friend, colleague and fellow Chapter President, Susanne Grier from Indianapolis, Indiana has some great words, and I would like to share them as well as echo what Chef Grier says.

“When I reflect on what ACF means to me, I think FAMILY. As we are faced with challenging times, we can and should offer support to one another as a family. To those looking for work, please reach out. To those in a dark place or just feeling stuck, please reach out. To those feeling unsafe, please reach out. To those who are hungry, please reach out. To those looking for support in your recovery from drugs or alcohol, please reach out. We are here for YOU.

Our membership family includes every array of background and character. We might not understand each other's life experience, but we can stand next to each other in solidarity. We do not always have to agree but we can be a source of support for each other. As a chapter and national organization, we do not tolerate discrimination of any sort. We celebrate what each other can bring to the table. We are united as brothers and sisters of this great federation.

Regardless of political affiliations or philosophies, breaking bread brings people together. My true hope is we can once again break bread together soon and exchange ideas.

As an educator, these past few months have been difficult, and I am sure it has been hard for you all as well. Online learning and not being with my students has been heartbreaking. Two of my passions in life are being an educator and chef. Engaging in those passions with the current situation is personally challenging. I did not get to hug my Seniors goodbye or tell my students that I am leaving my current career center to start a new program at Center Grove High School. I share my experiences and challenges not to garner sympathy, but to demonstrate being open within the membership of this organization.

As a chapter, we support YOU. We support you through the Covid-19 challenges we are all facing. Most importantly, we stand united with our brethren during this civil and racial unrest, because we recognize all lives matter but right now Black Lives Matter. Unified we are stronger and together we make a family.”

Join us on FACEBOOK and visit our website:

Washington State Chefs Association Website 

Brandon S. LaVielle, CEC, WCEC

President, Washington State Chef's Association

(206) 639-5605

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”