AMERICAN CULINARY FEDERATION PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
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Yudelka Torres Named 2017 American Culinary Federation Northeast Region Student Chef of the Year St. Augustine, Fla., March 17, 2017—Yudelka Torres, student, The Culinary Institute of New York at Monroe College, New Rochelle, New York, was named 2017 American Culinary Federation (ACF) Northeast Region Student Chef of the Year. She received the title following a competition at the ACF Northeast Regional Culinary Salon held at The Culinary Institute of New York at Monroe College, New Rochelle, New York. At the regional competition, Torres prepared two portions of a main dish that incorporated the assigned protein, trout, for a panel of judges in 1 hour, 40 minutes. She received a silver medal for her dish: a tasting of farmed Idaho Brook Trout comprising seared filet, braised baby fennel, olive oil poached tomatoes, tourné potato and “Caldeirada” sauce; trout in puff pastry with spinach and mushrooms with lemon emulsion; and trout and bacon mousseline-stuffed shrimp, parmesan tuile and shrimp-flavored arborio purée. Torres will compete against her regional counterparts during Cook. Craft. Create. ACF National Convention & Show, Orlando, July 9-13, for the national title and $1,000 cash prize. The ACF Student Chef of the Year award recognizes an up-and-coming student who possesses a high degree of professionalism, culinary skill and passion for culinary arts. "Earning the Northeast Region Student Chef of the Year title is one of my greatest achievements as a young and growing culinarian,” said Torres. “Winning this title proved to me that when you dedicate yourself and you work hard for your goals, you can achieve anything. I would like to thank my coach and mentor, Chef Frank Constantino. Representing the Northeast Region at nationals is a huge honor. I will continue to work and practice to the best of my ability to make my region proud.” An avid competitor, Torres has won numerous medals in ACF-sanctioned competitions, including six gold medals and one silver medal in individual competitions. Torres was the team captain of The Culinary Institute of New York at Monroe College team that competed at 2016 Cook. Craft. Create. ACF National Convention & Show in Phoenix; the team earned a gold medal and second place. Torres is working toward earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration and hospitality management from The Culinary Institute of New York at Monroe College and her long-term goal is to open her own restaurant. She is a member of ACF Long Island Chapter. -More-
ACF Regional Culinary Salon Competitions are a part of ACF’s Signature Series, which provides educational and networking opportunities through ChefConnect events and competitions for culinary industry professionals and students. ACF believes that culinary competitions play a vital role in the development of the culinary craft by testing chefs’ and students’ knowledge and skills in a competitive format. Visit the ACF Flickr page to view competition photos. To learn more about ACF competitions, eligibility and rules, visit www.acfchefs.org/competitions. 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.
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