ACF Southeast Regional Conference

[Chefgordon]

More than 300 people experienced Southern hospitality at its best at the 2010 ACF Southeast Regional Conference, hosted by ACF Birmingham Alabama Chapter, at the Sheraton Birmingham, April 24-26. The event offered an array of professional-development, networking and food functions, as well as provided numerous opportunities for camaraderie and connection. The trade show featured exhibits by purveyors from across the U.S.

Donald Barickman, chef/owner of Magnolia's, Charleston, S.C., teamed with Regional Vice President Jeff Bacon, CEC, CCA, AAC, and demonstrated several of Magnolia's signature dishes during General Session. The demo illustrated the nuances of Lowcountry cuisine for which Barickman is considered the area's foremost expert.

More than 100 attendees made the trip to The Club, Birmingham, for the American Academy of Chefs Dinner. The beautiful and historic venue sits high above the city overlooking the downtown scene.

A sincere thank you to our sponsors and exhibitors, whose support was instrumental to our success, and to the AAC for donating $1,000 to the ACF Southeast Region Student Team winner to assist with national convention travel expenses. Congratulations to all the award recipients and competitors.

Chef of the Year, Sponsored by Unilever Foodsolutions
Jonn Nishiyama, garde manger chef, Cherokee Town and Country Club, Atlanta; ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter Inc.
Pastry Chef of the Year, Sponsored by Splenda®
Andreas Proisl, executive pastry chef, Isleworth Country Club, Windermere, Fla.; ACF Central Florida Chapter
Chef Educator of the Year
Kenneth "Ken" Bourgoin, CEC, chef-instructor, Valencia Community College, Orlando, Fla.; ACF Central Florida Chapter
Student Chef of the Year, Sponsored by Custom Culinary, Inc.
Daniel Gorman, line cook, Cherokee Town and Country Club, Atlanta; ACF National Chapter

Chef Professionalism Award, Sponsored by Minor's®
Michael Rosen, CEC, executive chef, The Speedway Club at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C.; ACF Inc. Charlotte Chapter
Hermann G. Rusch Chef's Achievement Award
Donald McMillan, CEC, AAC, chef-instructor, The Stocked Pot Cooking School, Winston-Salem, N.C.; ACF Triad Chapter
Student Team Regional Championship, Sponsored by R.L. Schreiber, Inc.
ACF Chefs of the Low Country, Savannah Technical College; Valarie Barnes, Zebulon Berry, Elizabeth Estes, Alexander Jabr, Kevin Jump; and coach Jean Vendeville, CEPC
Baron H. Galand Culinary Knowledge Bowl, Sponsored by American Technical Publishers
Lincoln Culinary Institute, ACF Palm Beach County Chefs Association: Hitesh Arora, CC, CPC; Andrew Croney, CPC; Glendon David; Francois Leonce; Jami Yaccarino; and coach Steve Sitnick
ACF Central Region Chapter of the Year
ACF Inc. Charlotte Chapter

ACF Central Region Chapter Achievement Awards
ACF Central Florida Chapter
ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter Inc.
ACF Inc. Charlotte Chapter
ACF Tampa Bay Culinary Association Inc.
ACF Triad Chapter NC
ACF Central Region President's Medallions
Anthony Lauri, CEC, AAC, executive chef, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla.; ACF Greater Miami Chapter Epicurean Club
Philip Lloyd, CEC, executive chef, Country Club of Salisbury, Salisbury, N.C.; ACF Inc. Charlotte Chapter
Roger Newell, CEC, CCE, CCA, culinary-arts instructor, Technical Education Center Osceola, Kissimmee, Fla.; ACF Central Florida Chapter
David Pantone, CEC, CEPC, CCE, AAC, dean of culinary education, Lincoln Culinary Institute, West Palm Beach, Fla.; ACF Palm Beach County Chefs Association

Cutting Edge Awards
Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) Robert Sparks, CEPC, food advisor, U.S. Army, Fort Lee, Va.; Old Dominion ACF Chapter
ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter Inc.
ACF Tampa Bay Culinary Association Inc.

Joseph Amendola Outstanding Member Award
Jeffrey Rotz, CEC, CCE, AAC, culinary educator, Eustis High School, Eustis, Fla.; ACF Gulf to Lakes Chefs & Cooks Association Inc.

One-Pot Win A Lot, sponsored by Riviana
Louis Chatham, CEC, AAC, executive chef, PCI Gaming, Atmore, Ala.; ACF Choctaw Chapter
Make-It-Mini Dessert Trio, sponsored by MARS Foodservice
Kyongran "Alex" Hwang, assistant pastry chef, Cherokee Town and Country Club, Atlanta; ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter Inc.