As the Tampa chapter of the American Culinary Federation looks forward to the New Year our board would like to share our chapters’ local community service for 2020. The chapter will install new board members for the next two-year term while safely celebrating at their annual holiday event. Events of sharing with the Tampa-Metro are for 2020 include:
- A fifteen (15) week program donating Family produce meal boxes to Metropolitan Ministries of 1,440 meals each week for a total of 21,600 meals overall
- Our ACF Chef and Child Mentors continue to work with 3rd graders at two (2) local schools on the maintenance and harvesting of their gardens and celebrating “Child Nutrition Day” while educating the students with samples of their gardens’ bounty
- One of our Senior Chefs works continuously with Gigi’s Playhouse, providing education and teaching the necessary Culinary Arts skill for students with down syndrome
- Partnered with “A Kid’s Place” to donate $2,000 in gift cards, unwrapped toys and food from member Chefs and our Associate Members (Simplot, Smithfield and US Foods)
Outgoing chapter President, Rene Marquis, sharing his thoughts regarding the chapters’ continued community service efforts said, “The ACF Tampa Bay Chapter is proud of our accomplishments and what our chapter has been able to do even with the challenges of Covid-19. We always attempt to help someone or organizations annually and in 2020 were able to help more than usual. As 2020 finally comes to an end we wish each and every one of you a Happy Holiday Season, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year”!
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