Press Release

American Culinary Federation Receives Humanitarian of the Year from World Association of Chefs Societies in Dubai

2005 Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts Recognized by Chefs Worldwide

St. Augustine, Fla., May 16, 2008 - The American Culinary Federation (ACF) was awarded the Honorary President Humanitarian of the Year Award at the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) Congress in Dubai, May 12-15, for its 2005 Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

In response to the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the ACF Board of Directors established the ACF Disaster Relief Task Force. ACF called on its more than 20,000 members and 230 chapters to donate money to the ACFF Disaster Relief Fund. The money raised, along the proceeds from the inaugural Certified Master Chefs dinner held at the 2006 ACF Annual Convention, was used to help the thousands of victims and fellow ACF members from the area affected by Katrina. In addition, ACF, through its foundation, donated $5,000 to Leah Chase, a renowned New Orleans chef, author and television personality, to help her reopen Dooky Chase Restaurant after she was forced to temporarily close due to damages from Katrina.

ACF members also donated 800 tons of food to past ACF National President John Folse, CEC, AAC, HBOT, executive chef/owner of Chef John Folse & Company, Gonzales, La. Fosle set up a feeding station in the outlying affected communities and served three meals a day to more than 500 people in a shelter.

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 8 million members globally. For more information, please visit www.acfchefs.org.

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

• American Culinary Federation Receives Humanitarian of the Year from World Association of Chefs Societies in Dubai