As part of Child Nutrition Day, the students at Northwest Elementary School, Hudson FL, harvested sweet potatoes and radishes from the school’s vegetable garden that the ACF Tampa Bay Chapter sponsors. Chefs Ray Benton and Vince Blancato educate school children in a “farm to table” model whereby the student’s plant, care for and harvest the vegetables and the Chefs teach them how to prepare the produce in a healthy and appealing manner. On the menu for this cycle were radishes and sweet potatoes raised, cooked and enjoyed by the students. The Tampa ACF Chapter also supports a variety of community charity causes and events such as Tampa General Hospital’s “Operation Santa” and The Hard Rock Café’s Cancer Fundraiser.
About the ACF Tampa Bay Chapter:
Our chapter’s purpose is the advancement of the culinary profession and culinary awareness through education and certification of the membership and close interaction with other local organizations. The chapter membership is composed of chefs, cooks, culinary educators, students, and purveyors from Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas Counties and the surrounding metro area. Our primary local outreach program is the ACF Educational Foundation’s Chef & Child Initiative, an ongoing program whereby our chapter chefs educate children and families in understanding proper nutrition by providing tools and resources for community-based programs led by American Culinary Federation chef members.
About the American Culinary Federation:
The American Culinary Federation, Inc. is a professional, not-for-profit organization for chefs and cooks. It was founded in 1929 in New York City by three Chefs organizations: the Societe Culinaire Philanthropique, the Vatel Club and the Chefs Association of America. The principle goal of the founding chefs remains true to the ACF today – to promote the professional image of American chefs worldwide through education among culinarians at all levels, from apprentices to the most accomplished Certified Master Chefs. Successful culinarians know the value of belonging to the oldest and largest organization of chefs and cooks in the United States.
Contact for Information:
Tampa Chapter American Culinary Federation
Chapter Contact:
Tim Nicholson, Membership Chairman
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