Chef Vince Blancato, as part of the ACF Chef and Child program, visited Northwest Elementary School in Hudson, FL on Friday, March 1st. to share with students how chocolate is manufactured. Chef Blancato met with students in the 3rd. grade and special education classes who also maintain the vegetable garden at the school as part of the Chef and Child program about healthy eating choices.
Sarah Velasquez of Swiss Chalet Chocolates donated a variety of chocolate confections for the students to sample. The students also viewed a film on the chocolate making process from beans to nibs to cocoa butter with the opportunity to taste the product “in process” in the form of cocoa powder and touch the cocoa butter.
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.
Chapter Information:
Tampa Chapter American Culinary Federation
Chapter Contact:
Tim Nicholson