Press Release

Nine Student Teams Compete in the Western Region Baron H. Galand Culinary Knowledge Bowl in Seattle

St. Augustine, Fla., March 19, 2009—The American Culinary Federation (ACF), Inc., will host its Western Region Baron H. Galand Culinary Knowledge Bowl, sponsored by Pearson Education, Saturday, April 4, from 8 a.m. to noon at the 2009 ACF Western Regional Conference, held at the Seattle Doubletree, Seattle.

Nine student teams will compete in the “Jeopardy”-style tournament and answer challenging culinary questions drawn from five nationally published textbooks for culinary professionals that cover topics such as nutrition, safety and sanitation, and the art of modern cooking. The competition is open to student teams from ACF chapters, apprenticeship programs and accredited schools. The winning team will advance to the national competition held at the 2009 ACF National Convention in Orlando, Fla., in July. Here are the candidates:

ACF California Capital Chefs Association
The following students from The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California–Sacramento, Stockton, Calif., will compete: Nicole Birky, of Sacramento, Calif.; Sarah Bonar, of Lincoln, Calif.; Macey Crist, of West Sacramento, Calif.; Randy Davis, of Fair Oaks, Calif.; and Steffany Vang, of Olivehurst, Calif. The team is coached by Carol Thomas.

Alaska Culinary Academy
The following students from Alaska Culinary Academy, Seward, Alaska, ACF Alaska Culinary Association, will compete: Amber Felger, of Kasilof, Alaska; Brian Foley, of Metlakatla, Alaska; Jamie Fredrickson, of Seward, Alaska; Jacquelyn Frenzl, of Seward, Alaska; and Robert Mackey, of Seward, Alaska. The team is coached by Elizabeth Fackler, CEPC, CCE.

Bellingham Technical College
The following students from Bellingham Technical College, Bellingham, Wash., ACF Washington State Chefs Association, will compete: Alex Adriance, of Everson, Wash.; Brianna Burkett, of Lynden, Wash.; Christine Castillo, of Bellingham, Wash.; Kristen Knight, of Bellingham, Wash.; and Ashley Spendiff, of Friday Harbor, Wash. The team is coached by Michael Baldwin, CCE.

Broadmoor Hotel and Resort
The following students from Broadmoor Hotel and Resort, Colorado Springs, Colo., will compete: Katharine Allen, of Manitou Springs, Colo.; Mikki Butler, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Lucas Glau, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Jacquelyn Gundelfinger, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Kendra PeregrinRobert Huckels.

Inland Northwest Culinary Academy at Spokane Community College
The following students, all of Spokane, Wash., from Spokane Community College, Spokane, Wash., Sylmar, Calif., ACF Chefs of the Inland Northwest, will compete: Karen Berube; Emily Chapman; Tammy Douglas; Melanie Goulette; and Jayme Sorenson. The team is coached by Julie Litzenberger and Curtis Smith.

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California–Los Angeles
The following students from The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California–Los Angeles, Sylmar, Calif., ACF Chefs de Cuisine Association of California, will compete: Maximillian Cavaleri, of West Hills, Calif.; William Lansing, of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.; Adil Tajgeer, of Walnut, Calif.; Jeffrey Thatcher, of Los Angeles; and Sharon Widjaja, of Los Angeles. The team is coached by Daniel Drumlake, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC.

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California–San Diego
The following students from The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California–San Diego will compete: Marcia Brown, of Escondido, Calif.; Tara Duddy, of Poway, Calif.; Edith Huffman, of San Diego; Alexis Nichols, of San Diego; and Kristin Podgurski, of San Diego. The team is coached by Kelly Funes and Michael Zonfrilli.

Pikes Peak Community College
The following students from Pikes Peak Community College, Colorado Springs, Colo., will compete: Katherine Benjamin, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Christine Gaccetta, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Stephanie Van Iwaarden, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Deann Martinez-Pujol, of Pueblo, Colo.; and Sharon Scarbrough, of Colorado Springs, Colo. The team is coached by Heidi Block.

Pueblo Community College
The following students, all of Pueblo, Colo., from Pueblo Community College, Pueblo, Colo., will compete: Robin Campbell; Dawn Copenhaver; Cali Costa; Joe King; and Anna Wade. The team is coached by Chuck Becker.

The ACF Baron H. Galand Knowledge Bowl competitions are named in honor of past ACF National President Baron H. Galand, CEC, AAC, HOF, who championed junior members and encouraged them to get involved in their profession outside the kitchen. For information, or to register to attend ACF’s Western Regional Conference in Seattle, visit www.acfchefs.org or call (800) 624-9458.

Sponsors of the 2009 ACF Western Regional Conference and ACF national award sponsors are: Alaska Silk Pie Company; Barber Foods; Beef Information Center; Bon Chef, Inc.; Boyd’s Coffee Company; Bunge Oils; Butterball Farms, Inc.; Canada Cutlery Inc.; Canola Council of Canada/CanolaInfo; Cargill Meat Solutions; Cargill Salt; The Cheesecake Factory Bakery Inc.; Custom Culinary, Inc.; Enviro-Solutions; GFF, Inc./Girard’s Dressings; Guittard Chocolate Co.; International Wine Guild; Kendall College School of Culinary Arts; Marine Farms Belize, Ltd.; Mind’s Eye Resource Management, LLC; The National Pork Board and America’s Pork Producers; Nestlé Professional; NewChef Fashion Inc.; Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats; Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission; Pearson Education; Pike Brewing Company; Peterson Cheese Company; R.L. Schreiber, Inc.; Rougié Foie Gras; Rubbermaid Commercial Products; Splenda®; Starbucks Foodservice; SYSCO Seattle, Inc.; Tyson Food Service; Unilever Foodsolutions; Vita-Mix; Washington State Potato Commission; Western State Beef Councils in partnership with Snake River Farms; and Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.

The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in North America. With more than 22,000 members spanning 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. For more information, visit www.acfchefs.org.

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Media is invited to attend. Contact Leah Craig at (800) 624-9458, ext. 113 to register for press credentials, or email lcraig@acfchefs.net.

Contact: Leah Craig
Public Relations Specialist
(800) 624-9458, ext. 113
lcraig@acfchefs.net

• Nine Student Teams Compete in the Western Region Baron H. Galand Culinary Knowledge Bowl in Seattle