National Culinary Review

ACF CULINARY TEAM USA
A Closer Look at ACF
Culinary Military Team USA

By Michelle Whitfield The United States Army Culinary Arts Team (USACAT), the national military culinary team representing the United States, is part of ACF Culinary Team USA. It recently competed, along with ACF Culinary National Team USA, in the Villeroy & Boch Culinary World Cup 2010, held Nov. 20-24 in Luxembourg. Though competing in different categories, the teams supported each other and successfully brought home three gold medals and one bronze medal.

“After years of training, we are excited
to take home a gold medal from this
prestigious competition,” said Chief Warrant
Officer Russell Campbell, CEC, USACAT
manager. “The team was honored to
represent the United States and proud to
show off the U.S. Army’s culinary skills.”
Nine teams competed in the national military
category. USACAT won gold for its cold-food
table, which consisted of seven three-course
meals displayed cold. Sgt. Trent Skinner of
the U.S. Army Reserve, the team’s sculptor,
won one gold medal, five silver medals
and one bronze medal for his sculptures
that accompanied the meals on the cold-
food table. The military team experienced
unforeseen issues in the kitchen during the
hot-food competition, resulting in a bronze
medal. USACAT placed sixth overall in the
national military team category.

USACAT member Master Sgt. Mark Morgan represented the United States as pastry chef on ACF Culinary National Team USA for this competition. The team received gold medals in both cold-food and hot-food competitions, and placed third overall in the national team category.

ACF Culinary Team USA is getting ready for its next competition, the American Culinary Classic, presented by the American Culinary Federation July 24-25 during the 2011 ACF National Convention at the Gaylord Texan, Dallas. International teams will compete in the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) edible “Gourmet Challenge” category.

USACAT members, left to right, Master Sgt. Jesus Camacho III (captain), Sgt. Monique Sorrell, Sgt. Billy Daugette, Senior Chief Food Service Specialist Justin Reed, CEC, Staff Sgt. Josh Spiess, CEC, and Sgt. Michelle Kashiwagi receive their medals at the Villeroy & Boch Culinary World Cup.

Gold
Silver

Bronze
Cobalt

Copper

JOIN THE JOURNEY Make a $50 donation to ACF Culinary Team USA and become part of a 5x6-foot canvas of chef profiles and landmarks highlighting ACF’s 2011 event series. Jennifer Garant, famous for her Signature Chefs, will complete the painting during the 2011 ACF National Convention in Dallas, July 23-26. It will be auctioned off, and proceeds will support ACF Culinary Team USA. E-mail a high-resolution photo to academy@acfchefs.net and donate online or send a check to ACF Culinary Team USA, 180 Center Place Way, St. Augustine, FL 32095.