Press Release

Special President’s Awards Presented at 2009 American Culinary Federation National Convention

St. Augustine, Fla., July 17, 2009—The American Culinary Federation (ACF) honored five culinarians, one company and one chapter with special president’s awards at the 2009 ACF National Convention held at the Orlando World Center Marriott, Orlando, Fla., July 11–14.

These awards were given at the discretion of ACF President John Kinsella, certified master chef (CMC), certified culinary educator (CCE), world global master chef (WGMC), American Academy of Chefs (AAC). The recipients were recognized for their unique contributions to the culinary industry within the past year.

President’s Award
Dawn Sweeney, HAAC; president/chief executive officer, National Restaurant Association, Washington, D.C.

ACF Leadership Award
Paul Prudhomme, HAAC, HHOF; chef/owner, K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen, Magic Seasoning Blends, New Orleans; ACF New Orleans Chapter

ACF Industry Partnership Award
Le Cordon Bleu, Secaucus, N.J., for its exemplary support of ACF, its mission and programs as well as overall advancement of the culinary arts and outstanding contributions to the U.S. foodservice industry.

Excellence in Education Award
Grace Yek, CCC; assistant professor in Culinary Arts and Science and chef-instructor, University of Cincinnati at Midwest Culinary Institute, Cincinnati; for her support of ACF certification and membership for culinary students and the impact on their future in the industry.

ACF Humanitarian of the Year Award
Lynn Krause, CEPC, AAC; culinary instructor, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Chefs de Cuisine Association of St. Louis, Inc.

National Chapter of the Year
ACF Pittsburgh Chapter

Lifetime Achievement Award
Noreen Kinney; president, Cordon d’Or - Gold Ribbon Inc. St. Petersburg, Fla.

Orlando was the location of the 2009 ACF National Convention, bringing hundreds of chefs, cooks, students and foodservice professionals to the Sunshine State. The national convention provided attendees with numerous opportunities to advance their professional development and enhance their culinary skills through informative workshops and seminars, cutting-edge demonstrations, a trade show featuring more than 100 exhibitors, national competitions and ACF’s annual national awards.

Sponsors of the 2009 ACF National Convention are: Ajinomoto Food Ingredients LLC; American Lamb Board; Barber Foods; Barry Callebaut; Beef Products, Inc.; BelGioioso Cheese Inc.; Berkshire Pork Products, LLC; Bon Chef, Inc.; Bunge Oils; Butterball Farms, Inc.; Canada Cutlery Inc.; Casa DiLisio Products, Inc.; Chartwells; The Cheesecake Factory Bakery Inc.; Chicago School of Chocolate Molding; CleanFish; Cleveland Range, LLC; Contessa Premium Foods; The Culinary Institute of America; Custom Culinary, Inc.; Demeyere; Diamond Crystal; Dole Packaged Foods, LLC; Dow AgroSciences; Ecolab; Eggland’s Best; GFF, Inc./Girard’s Dressings; Gordon Food Service; Guittard Chocolate Co.; Hass Avocado Board; Hormel; i-COOK Professional; Indian Harvest; The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes; The Investing Chef; J.R. Simplot Company; Johnson & Wales University; Kendall College School of Culinary Arts; La Brea Bakery; Lavazza Italy’s Favourite Coffee; Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America; Nestlé Professional; NEWCHEF Fashion Inc.; Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats; Pasta CHEF®; Pearson Education; Plugra; RC Fine Foods; Riviana Foods Inc.; R.L. Schreiber, Inc.; S & D Coffee; San Jamar; Saputo Cheese; Schwan’s Food Service; Splenda®; Tyson Food Service; Unilever Foodsolutions; U.S. Foodservice; Victorinox Commercial Cutlery; Vita-Mix Corp.; The Vollrath Company, LLC; 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, and to the Chef & Child Foundation, founded in 1989 to promote proper nutrition in children and to combat childhood obesity. For more information, visit www.acfchefs.org.

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For high-res photos, or to arrange an interview, contact Leah Craig at (800) 624-9458, ext. 113, or Patricia Carroll at ext. 147. Email lcraig@acfchefs.net or pcarroll@acfchefs.net.

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

Leah Craig
Communications Manager
(800) 624-9458, ext. 113
lcraig@acfchefs.net

• Special President’s Awards Presented at 2009 American Culinary Federation National Convention