AMERICAN CULINARY FEDERATION PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release

Media Contacts: Stacy Gammill, (904) 484-0213 [email protected] Karen Mathis, (904) 484-0247 [email protected]

American Culinary Federation National President Thomas Macrina, CEC, CCA, AAC, Receives Worldchefs President’s Medal ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA., October 17, 2016 —Thomas Macrina, CEC, CCA, AAC, American Culinary Federation’s (ACF) national president, received the Worldchefs President’s Medal at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo in Thessaloniki, Greece. Macrina was recognized by Worldchefs, formerly, the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS), for his leadership and dedication to promote the advancement of the culinary arts and profession in the U.S. The Worldchefs President’s Medal is awarded at the sole discretion of the WACS president. Only 10 recipients are selected each year. Worldchefs is a nonpolitical, professional organization dedicated to maintaining and improving the culinary standards of global cuisines through education, training and professional development of its international membership. As an authority and opinion leader on food, Worldchefs represents a global voice on all issues related to the culinary profession. “Chef Macrina has provided long-term, unwavering support to the Worldchefs organization,” said Charles Carroll, CEC, AAC, HGT, Worldchefs president. “He has worked tirelessly to bridge certification programs between ACF and WACS to enable WACS to recognize ACF certified chefs and provide them with expanded membership opportunities.” “I am extremely humbled and honored to receive the Worldchefs President’s Medal,” said Macrina. “On behalf of all ACF members, I am proud of our hard work and progress to make the culinary industry the respected profession it is today.” - MORE-

Macrina, of Philadelphia, is a Certified Executive Chef® (CEC), Certified Culinary Administrator® (CCA), and a member of the American Academy of Chefs® (AAC), an honor society for chefs. He is an executive chef/product specialist manager for US Foods, Bridgeport, New Jersey, and is a “Food Fanatic” chef for the company. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, his experience includes executive chef at the Downingtown Inn Resort, Downingtown, Pennsylvania, and executive chef at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, Malvern, Pennsylvania. Macrina was elected to the position of ACF national president in 2013 for the 2013-2015 term and was re-elected as national president for the 2015-2017 term. In 2011-2013, he served on ACF’s national board of directors as secretary. ###

About the American Culinary Federation The American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF), established in 1929, is the standard of excellence for chefs in North America. With more than 17,500 members spanning more than 150 chapters nationwide, ACF is the leading culinary association offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and programmatic accreditation. In addition, ACF operates the most comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United States, with the Certified Executive Chef®, Certified Sous Chef®, Certified Executive Pastry Chef® and Certified Culinary Educator® designations accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. The American Culinary Federation Education Foundation is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the United States in major international culinary competitions, and to Chef & Child, founded in 1989 to promote proper nutrition in children and to combat childhood obesity. For more information, visit www.acfchefs.org. Find ACF on Facebook and on Twitter.