Press Release

Norman Hart, CEC, CCE, AAC, Named 2008 ACF Toque to Toque Champion

St. Augustine, Fla., April 8, 2008 - Norman Hart, certified executive chef (CEC), certified culinary educator (CCE), American Academy of Chefs (AAC), of Depew, N.Y., was named the 2008 American Culinary Federation (ACF) Toque to Toque Champion at the 2008 ACF Northeast Regional Conference held at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Cincinnati, April 5-7.

Throughout the conference, there were several culinary competitions. The Toque to Toque Chefs Challenge, sponsored by the American Lamb Board, was a memorable highlight. The event took place at Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, where ACF National President, John Kinsella, CMC, CCE, AAC, is senior chef-instructor.

Hart, a culinary instructor at The International Culinary Schools at the Art Institute-Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa., and member of ACF Pittsburgh Chapter, went "toque to toque" against ACF Northeast Region Vice President Mark Wright, CEC, AAC, and earned the title of 2008 Toque to Toque Champion. Hart graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in 1973 with an associate degree in occupational studies in culinary arts. He is the reigning 2007 ACF Chef Educator of the Year and he received an ACF President's Medallion for excellence in educating students at the 2006 ACF Northeast Regional Conference.

Competitors utilized two identical studio kitchen stations and a common pantry of seasonings, bases, sauces and produce. They had one hour to complete three dishes featuring a common entrée item, provided by the American Lamb Board. A three-person panel selected by the ACF judged the dishes on taste, presentation and creativity.

Chosen for its big city vibrancy and small-town charm, Cincinnati was the location of the 2008 ACF Northeast Regional Conference hosted by ACF Greater Cincinnati Chapter. Bringing more than 500 chefs, cooks and foodservice professionals to the city, the conference provided attendees with numerous opportunities to advance their professional development and enhance their culinary skills through informative business seminars, forums, clinics and cutting-edge demonstrations. In addition, the conference offered participants the opportunity to learn about the latest cooking trends and techniques.

Sponsors of the 2008 ACF Northeast Regional Conference and national award sponsors include: American Lamb Board; Barber Foods; Badia Spices; Beef Information Center; Buckhead Beef Company; Butterball Farms, Inc.; Canada Cutlery Inc.; The Cheesecake Factory Bakery, Inc.; Contessa Premium Foods; Custom Culinary, Inc.; GFF, Inc./Girard's Dressings; John Morrell & Co.; La Brea Bakery; Lactalis Foodservice, Inc; Lobster Select; Maker's Mark Distillery, Inc.; Mann's Fresh Vegetables; MARS Foodservices; Mind's Eye Resource Management, LLC; Nestlé Professional; NEWCHEF Fashions; Nueske's Applewood Smoked Meats; Pearson Prentice Hall; Queensgate Foodservice; RC Fine Foods; Reinhart Foodservice; R.L. Schreiber, Inc., Rubbermaid Commercial Products; Snake River Farms; Splenda®; SYSCO Food Services of Cincinnati; Tyson Food Service; Unilever Foodsolutions; and Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.

The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in North America. With 20,000 members spanning more than 230 chapters nationwide, ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and accreditation. In addition, ACF operates the most comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United States. ACF is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the United States in major international culinary competitions, and also holds the presidium for the World Association of Chefs Societies, the largest international network of chef associations with more than eight million members globally. For more information, please visit www.acfchefs.org.

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Photos can be obtained by contacting Patricia Carroll at pcarroll@acfchefs.net or by calling (800) 624-9458, ext. 147.

Contact: Patricia Carroll
Communications Director
(800) 624-9458, ext. 147
pcarroll@acfchefs.net

• Norman Hart, CEC, CCE, AAC, Named 2008 ACF Toque to Toque Champion