ANNUAL CONVENTION LIFTOFF
Manufacturers/companies can sponsor a
tee, a foursome or a tee-box kitchen. For
more information, call Lana Manning at
the ACF national office, (904) 484-0231.
One of the best ways to start the
convention is to participate in Chefs
Outreach to the Community. Come ex-
perience pride and camaraderie as we
join forces Friday at the Boys & Girls
Clubs of Central Florida, Universal
Orlando Foundation Branch, to help
educate area children and their families
on the value of good nutrition. Also on
Friday, small hands-on workshops on
sugar pulling, pickles and preserves, and
working with chocolate are scheduled.
Sign up early, as classes are limited.
We’ll close this busy day with our
opening network reception, with a “Pirates
of the Floribbean” theme. Dress up as one
of your favorite pirates and be ready for
great food and entertainment as we kick
off the first day of our national convention
in the Sunshine State.
Saturday is our opening General Session
breakfast at 7 a.m.; the closing General
Session is Monday at 10 a.m. Each session
is filled with up-to-date news, special
events and recognition of your peers.
This is “culinary Olympics” year,
and we recognize your ACF Culinary
Team USA teams that will compete at
the Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung
(IKA), Oct. 5-10, in Erfurt, Germany.
Support the national, military, regional
and youth teams in their quest for gold.
ACF Culinary National Team USA will
host the First Annual Foundation Reception
Saturday evening. Team members will
man cooking stations to raise funds for
their trip to the IKA. Up to six student
culinarians will each assist one national
team member, and information on how to
In July, we meet in Orlando, Fla., for our annual national convention. I realize that many of us have been to Orlando for previous conventions, and some are saying, “Orlando again?” So why have we chosen the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort as a convention destination five times in the last 10 years? This self-contained property affords us the best package. It’s one of the few properties where we are able to provide you with a great room rate, a culinary team on the cutting edge of cuisine, and a trade show under the same roof. This equates to savings for everyone. I believe in
loyalty to those partners that provide
us with excellent customer service and
associates who appreciate our business
and welcome us back. This is the Orlando
apply for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
is at www.acfchefs.org.
World Center Marriott.
Another reason we like Orlando is that
it’s considered, next to Las Vegas, a premier family destination. We are planning a
family outing to the Kennedy Space Center,
as well as offering discounted passes to
The American Academy of Chefs
Reception and Dinner will be held
Sunday at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando,
and the AAC spouses outing is Monday,
at Isleworth Golf & Country Club,
Windermere, Fla.
Disney and Universal attractions.
So, what to expect at the 2012 ACF
National Convention? First, join us in the
Members Hospitality Lounge Thursday
and Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the International Suite, 28th floor. You can relax
while you wait for your room, or just
enjoy refreshments and conversation
with your colleagues.
Members of ACF Central Florida
Chapter have been working diligently
to provide convention attendees with a
great experience. I would like to thank
Nora Galdiano, CEC, ACE, chapter president, and her team for being an integral
part of our program this year.
Avid golfers will want to sign up for
the ACFEF Golf Tournament, which begins
Friday at 7 a.m. at the resort’s Hawk’s
Landing Golf Club. There’s a chance to
win a brand-new car with a hole in one
on a par three, as well as other fabulous
prizes. The registration fee is $80 per golfer.
Finally, I want to emphasize the value
of the Member Rewards Rate program.
It’s back, and prices remain the same as
for the last two years. Check page 64
for registration options; a registration
form is on page 65, or register online at
www.acfchefs.org.
I look forward to seeing you this
summer in the land of the Gators for
educational opportunities, networking with
friends and colleagues, and an exciting
national convention in Central Florida.
TOP RIGHT: Michael Ty, left, with Farmer Lee Jones, co-owner, The Chef’s Garden, Huron, Ohio, at the Western
Regional Conference in Sparks, Nev., March 12-14.
