The Tampa chapter of the American Culinary Federation recently celebrated their annual awards dinner hosted by the Ft. Harrison Hotel in downtown Clearwater, FL. The chapter annually recognizes those members, associates and partners who demonstrate their commitment to professionalism in the culinary arts and in the support of those efforts.
The award categories span across a spectrum that recognizes each recipients’ achievement and dedication to the culinary profession, community and chapter. This honor is memorialized by the chapter offering an officially designated, sequentially numbered Presidential Medallions or “challenge” coins (example below) to each recipient. This is one of the highest honors the Tampa chapter can bestow upon their Chef-members and our culinary partners and supporters. This year’s awards recipients include:
George Pastor Award – Chef Michael Priola, Executive Sous-Chef of the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel honoring his service to the chapter as a founding member and past officer.
Presidential Medallions:
#35 – Lynn Juillerat, Director of Marketing for Cheney Brothers, for her support of the chapter’s culinary programs through gifts and equipment and dedicated support to the USA Culinary Team as they practice for the 2020 Culinary Olympics.
#36 – Cori Van Wagoner, of Smithfield Foods in support of the chapter’s educational seminars and generous offering of food, gifts and educational materials to the chapter.
#37 – Nancy Howe, founder of Know-Howe a public relations firm and the Tampa Bay Newswire for her continued support of communicating the chapter’s many educational programs and community service efforts through her service to the chapter as a media liaison.
#38 – Fred and Pat Lucardie for their continued and long-term support of chapter members seeking to elevate the professionalism of the culinary field.
#39 – Steve Marano, of Louis Wohl & Sons, Chapter Partner of the Year, for his continued and unselfish dedication to the chapter through supporting meetings and offering equipment for raffles to raise chapter funds, a true professional and good friend to the chapter.
#40 – Sophia VanGelder, Chapter Student of the Year, recognized as the student who best personifies dedication and professional standards through continued support of the chapter by assisting with meetings, mentoring students and participation in Serv-Safe certifications.
#41 – Chef Rick Eppers, of Acosta Food Service and Custom Culinary, Chapter Member of the Year, for support of the chapter through sponsorship of culinary competitions so that members may hone their skills or learn new techniques as they compete in culinary salons.
Tampa Chefs 2018 Annual Awards – Cont’d
#42 – Chef Daniel Brule, of Bridges International in Bradenton, FL, Chapter Educator of the Year, Chef Instructor at Bridges of Bradenton where he teaches and mentors women felons in the FL Dept. of Corrections in the ACF Culinary Skills Fundamental Apprentice Program where he imparts life and work skills to thirty (30) female inmates annually offering them opportunity upon release. He also teaches the FL Serv-Safe program and is a “Certified” instructor for that program insuring that food service personnel understand how to safely prepare food for consumption by the general public and how to maintain the standards of safe food preparation.
#43 – Executive Chef Barry Reid, of the Ft. Harrison Hotel, as Chef of the Year, for stepping up and going beyond in his support of the Tampa ACF Chapter, maintaining a training platform for the ACF Team USA as they practice for the upcoming 2020 Culinary Olympics, promoting and supporting the local chapter of the Chaine D’ Rotissieurs and serving as a role model for our members and his staff in upholding the standards of culinary professionalism and tradition.
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 chapter supports education of local area students seeking careers in the hospitality industry through our charitable and scholarship events.
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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