Press Release

Linda Vogler Finalist for Women Chefs & Restaurateurs Community Service Award

St. Augustine, Fla., October 29, 2009—Women Chefs & Restaurateurs (WCR) announced yesterday that American Culinary Federation (ACF) member Linda Vogler, of Alexandria, Va., is one of two finalists for its Community Service Award, sponsored by L’Academie de Cuisine.

Vogler, a member of the ACF Nations Capital Chefs Association, is a culinary-arts coordinator at D.C. Central Kitchen, Washington, D.C. She prepares unemployed, underemployed, previously incarcerated persons and homeless adults for careers in the foodservice industry through the organization’s Culinary Job Training Program. Gina Puzzanghera, an ACF certified culinarian® and director of The Nourishing Kitchen of New York City, Inc., New York, is the other finalist.

The WCR Community Service Award recognizes outstanding contributions in community affairs and honors a woman whose contributions in community or civic affairs have made a strong impact on the lives of others. The award winner will be announced at WCR’s 10th Women Who Inspire Awards on November 1, during the organization’s annual conference at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. WCR launched its Women Who Inspire Awards program in 2000 to recognize women who have demonstrated excellence and innovation in the dining room, kitchen, baking and pastry arts, beverage profession, farming and food production, and community affairs, as well as for a lifetime of culinary excellence.

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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Contact: Erica Moyers
Communications Intern
(800) 624-9458, ext. 115
emoyers@acfchefs.net

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

• Linda Vogler Finalist for Women Chefs & Restaurateurs Community Service Award