On the Menu

Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. EST - Chef Deb Cantrell, who recently presented at Cook. Craft. Create., is hosting a live webinar and offering ACF members her free Business Success Toolkit. Aug. 29 - ACF Chef LaCretia Allen, CPC, owner of Indianapolis' Cretia Cakes, travels to HSN headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida, to pitch her Caramel Obsession Cake for a chance to be featured on HSN and in Good Housekeeping to discover America's next great entrepreneur. Wish Chef Allen good luck on her Facebook page!    Nov. 13 to 15 - Interested in attending HX: The Hotel Experience--Rooms to Restaurants 2016 in New York City? ACF members can save $50 by registering in advance for a free badge using promo code ACF2016. Register here.   Is your member profile up to date with your current position, email and home address? Sign in and click here to update your profile. And while you're at it, make sure your life insurance policy beneficiary is also up to date. Please contact the membership department at the national office with any questions at (800) 624-9458.   ACF members can receive discounts online or in store at Office Depot and Office Max. Use your FREE ACF store purchasing card and save up to 80% on your printing (including your menus), cleaning, supplies and furniture needs. Enjoy FREE next-day delivery on orders over $50. Log in here to access the deals!

New Certification Requirements The Certification Commission met on April 30 to finalize their strategic plan to review and adjust certification requirements for one level each quarter until complete. The Commission has two main goals:

1. To create a step-ladder of experience &

culinary skills that bridge the gap to CMC certification. 2. To create a practical exam market basket that adjusts to seasonal/regional availability, and increases the level of difficulty with specific and quality ingredients to create a more sophisticated menu. The CEC and CEPC changes will be effective Oct. 1, 2016, with a 90-day grace period. During this grace period, both sets of requirements will be honored to accommodate the chefs already in the certification process. Click here for more information.    

Call for Presenters ACF strives to provide seminars and demonstrations on the latest culinary trends and topics at ACF events. The sessions feature skilled and experienced chefs who are top in the industry. All sessions must demonstrate innovative trends and techniques and be delivered with the highest quality of expertise. We are currently accepting applications for our 2017 events. Click here for more information! 

  2017 Student Team Registration  

All student teams must register annually with the ACF national office and provide team member information.    To register for 2017 competitions, team managers must submit an Intent to Compete form by Aug. 30 to allow the ACF national office and Competitions Committee

to coordinate state-level competitions. Click here for the Student Team Classical Dish requirements.   

We Are Chefs - New on the Blog

Alaska Seafood: Tradition  Roll with the Punches & Transparency Tom Ciapi, CEC, CCE, CCA, We all have a role to play AAC, on certification and ensuring that sustainable seafood lands on our plate. networking. Read the article to earn CEHs!

American Lamb From Shepherd to Chef

When you menu local lamb, you support the nation's shepherds and their families. Read the article and earn CEHs.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Food & Media Arts Event Learn about branding techniques for your operation--what works, what doesn't and what's next.  Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2016 in Denver You'll hear from: Editors and publicists Bloggers Food photographers Experts in the art of presentation Experts in social media outreach Registration, agenda and hotel information at www.CafeMeetingPlace.com. Register by Sept. 1 to save $50! 

Featured Ingredient: Blackberries

Blackberries belong to the Rosaceae family, along with strawberries and raspberries, and grow on bushes. They get their deep purple color from anthocyanins, a plant compound that helps improve memory and acts as an anti-inflammatory. The flowers of blackberry bushes are good nectar producers that make a medium to dark fruity honey.   Complete the quiz to earn one hour of continuing-education credits toward ACF certification.

#ACFChefs on Instagram We want to see how you are plating, preserving, eating and imbibing your end-of-summer fruits and vegetables. Follow and tag @acf_chefs on Instagram to be

regrammed and keep up to date with what your fellow ACF chefs' are creating!

2017 ACF Awards Applications are now being accepted for all 2017 American Culinary Federation awards.  The honor of an ACF award proves skill, knowledge and professionalism in the culinary industry and can further your recognition as a qualified chef. These awards represent the highest honors ACF can bestow.   Categories are:  U.S.A.'s Chef of the Year™ Award, sponsored by Unilever Food Solutions Pastry Chef of the Year Award, sponsored by Plugrá® European-Style Butter Chef Educator of the Year Award  Dr. L.J. Minor Chef Professionalism Award, sponsored by Minor's ® Student Chef of the Year Award, sponsored by Custom Culinary ® Hermann G. Rusch Chef's Achievement Award  Chapter Achievement Award  The deadline for all applications is Sept. 30, 2016. © 2016. All Rights Reserved.     180 Center Place Way, St. Augustine, FL 32095 (904) 824-4468 | (800) 624-9458 | Fax: (904) 940-0741 www.acfchefs.org