AMERICAN CULINARY FEDERATION PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Catie Gainor: (610) 455-2780,
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Dan Boman, CEPC, Named 2017 Pastry Chef of the Year at the American Culinary Federation National Convention St. Augustine, Fla., July 26, 2017—The best pastry chef in the nation, according to the American Culinary Federation (ACF), is Dan Boman, CEPC, chef instructor, Art Institute of Phoenix. Boman received the title of ACF Pastry Chef of the Year and $5,000 after winning a national competition during Cook. Craft. Create. ACF National Convention & Show in Orlando, Florida, July 9-13. The ACF Pastry Chef of the Year award, sponsored by Plugrá® European Style Butter, was established in 2004 and recognizes a pastry chef who displays a passion for the craft, has an accomplished reputation in the pastry field and has helped educate others by sharing skills and knowledge. Four finalists from ACF regions competed at the national convention after first being nominated by colleagues and then winning their respective regional competitions. “I have won a few awards and I am especially elated about this one,” said Boman. “I know that there is someone better than me and that is what keeps me motivated and humble.” Pastry chefs had two hours and 30 minutes, to prepare and serve three items representing the designated theme Disney villains: a cold-plated dessert featuring key lime, strawberries and cream cheese; a signature cookie and showpiece at least two feet tall, composed 75 percent of either chocolate or sugar work. A panel of ACF-approved judges determined the winner. Winning Menu: Plated Dessert The Rum Runners Isle Cheesecake was in the theme of Pirates of the Caribbean: mojito key lime sorbet, vanilla chiffon sponge, strawberry thyme gelée, macadamia almond crunch, strawberry tartar, caramel sauce and strawberry foam. Cookie The cookie platter was derived from the Pieces of Eight Coin that Jack Sparrow possesses in the series. Its components included peanut butter bar with milk chocolate and graham cracker sandwiched between peanut butter cookies. -MORE-
Showpiece The Pirates of the Caribbean half man/half octopus villain “Davy Jones” inspired the “Release the Kraken” chocolate and pastillage showpiece. Boman’s previous experience includes chef instructor at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Scottsdale, Arizona; and executive pastry chef at Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. An avid competitor, Boman has competed in multiple culinary competitions, earning Best Chocolate Showpiece in the National Team Pastry Championship in 2009. Boman is a graduate of The Restaurant School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is a member of the ACF Chefs Association of Arizona, Inc. More than 1,100 chefs, cooks, students and foodservice professionals attended Cook. Craft. Create. ACF National Convention & Show. The event provided professional development through informative workshops and seminars, cutting-edge demonstrations, a trade show featuring 70 foodservice industry exhibitors, career fair and national culinary competitions. Visit the ACF Flickr page for high-resolution photographs. 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, Instagram and Twitter. ###
