Emily Wallace

Press Release

Washington’s Emily Wallace Named 2010 ACF Western Region Student Chef of the Year

St. Augustine, Fla., February 9, 2010—Emily Wallace, of Winlock, Wash., a student at Renton Technical College, Renton, Wash., received the American Culinary Federation, Inc., (ACF) Western Region Student Chef of the Year award at the Celebrating Regional Excellence Awards Gala last night at the close of the 2010 ACF Western Regional Conference held at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, Albuquerque, N.M., Feb. 6–8.

Sponsored by Custom Culinary, Inc., the ACF Western Region Student Chef of the Year award recognizes an up-and-coming student who demonstrates a high level of professionalism, culinary skills and a passion for the culinary arts. Wallace competed against three other Western Region student-chef-of-the-year candidates before being declared the winner. Students prepared four portions of a protein savory dish or four portions of a pastry dish, depending on their area of studies. A panel of judges chose the winner. As this year’s Western Region recipient, Wallace will compete for the national title against the winners from the three other ACF regions at the 2010 ACF National Convention in Anaheim, Calif., Aug. 2–5.

For 20-year-old Wallace, pursuing a career in the culinary field has been a lifelong dream. Now as a culinary student, each day she is a few steps closer to achieving her dream. During her first year of college, she became the second alternate on the school’s junior ACF culinary team. In September 2009, she competed at the 2009 Washington State Seafood Festival in Shelton, Wash., to try out for the 2010 junior ACF culinary team. At the competition, she won two gold medals and an award for best recipe overall.

In addition to classes and cooking competitions, she works for the college’s catering program. When Wallace finishes her associate degree, she hopes to travel to Europe to tour local farms and complete an apprenticeship. Her culinary mantra is easy: showcase simplicity. Wallace is a member of ACF Washington State Chefs Association.

Chosen for its New Mexican cuisine, scenic beauty and entertainment options, Albuquerque was the location of the 2010 ACF Western Regional Conference hosted by ACF Rio Grande Valley Chapter. Bringing chefs, cooks and foodservice professionals to the city, the conference provided attendees with opportunities to advance their professional development and enhance their culinary skills through business seminars, cooking demonstrations featuring the latest trends and techniques, cooking competitions and awards.

Sponsors of the 2010 ACF Western Regional Conference and ACF national award sponsors are: American Technical Publishers; Avocados from Mexico; Barry Callebaut; Ben E. Keith; Boyd Coffee Company; California Rice Commission; Canada Cutlery Inc.; The Colorado Potato Administrative Committee; Custom Culinary, Inc.; Diamond Crystal Salt; Fisher-Nickel Inc.; King & Prince Seafood; Koch Foods, Inc.; MARS Food Services; MenuMax; Minor’s®; NEWCHEF Fashion Inc.; R.L. Schreiber, Inc.; Riviana Foods Inc.; Shamrock Foods Company; Splenda®; Sterling Silver Premium Meats; Sysco New Mexico, LLC; TexaSweet Citrus Marketing, Inc.; The Sterno Group; Tyson Food Service; Unilever Foodsolutions; U.S. Foodservice; Vitamix Corp.; 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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To arrange an interview or for a high-res photo, contact Patricia Carroll or Leah Craig.

Contacts: Patricia Carroll
(904) 484-0247
pcarroll@acfchefs.net

Leah Craig
(904) 484-0213
lcraig@acfchefs.net

• Washington’s Emily Wallace Named 2010 ACF Western Region Student Chef of the Year