Press Release
ACF Announces Two New Certified Master Chefs™
St. Augustine, Fla., June 22,
2005—Two culinarians are the latest to be certified as
master chefs by the American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF).
Stephen Giunta of Cargill Meat Solutions and Olivier Andreini of The
Culinary Institute of America (CIA) passed the eight-day test of
culinary skill and knowledge at CIA’s main campus in Hyde Park,
N.Y. on June 12.
Certified master chef (CMC) is the highest and most demanding level
of culinary achievement in the U.S. foodservice industry. The program,
which began in 1981, was presented to the World Association of Chefs
Societies (WACS) the following year, and was granted official
recognition by the organization.
Candidates for ACF’s certified master chef exam must qualify by
having previously been certified as an executive chef or executive
pastry chef. The exam, held once a year, requires exacting familiarity
and proficiency with a broad range of cooking styles and techniques, and
tests a chef’s knowledge of international and American regional
cuisines. Candidates’ performance is evaluated by certified master
chefs and certified master pastry chefs.
The addition of Giunta and Andreini to the ranks of ACF certified
master chefs brings total certified master chefs in the United States to
72. Of these, 12 are certified master pastry chefs.
As director of culinary, Stephen Giunta manages and coordinates
Cargill Meat Solutions test kitchen, including product development,
evaluations and demonstrations, recipe and menu development, cooking and
product handling recommendations, case life determination and sensory
evaluation. Chef Giunta’s extensive culinary experience includes
serving as associate professor in culinary arts at The Culinary
Institute of America, and serving as personal chef to former President
and Mrs. Reagan. Most recently, Giunta served as corporate chef for
Kerry Ingredients, Beloit, Wis. A 1983 graduate of the CIA, Giunta is a
certified executive chef (CEC) and certified hospitality educator
(CHE).
Olivier Andreini is an associate professor in culinary arts at The
Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. Chef Andreini currently
teaches garde manger in the college’s degree programs, a course
that introduces the three main items of the cold kitchen. Prior to
joining the CIA faculty in 1998, he owned Le Petit Geneve and La
Vaudoise restaurants in Vancouver, British Columbia. He held various
chef and product-development positions in Vancouver and Quebec City, as
well as other locations in Canada. Andreini is also a certified
hospitality educator (CHE), and has twice been included in Who’s Who Among America’s
Teachers.
For more information on ACF’s certified master chef program,
visit www.acfchefs.org/certify/cmc.html.
The American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF), established in 1929, is
the premier professional organization for culinarians in America. With
nearly 20,000 members and 240 chapters nationwide, ACF offers
educational resources, training, professional certification,
apprenticeship and accreditation programs. In addition, ACF is the
presidium for the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS), the
international network of chefs associations, with more than eight
million members globally. For more information, please visit www.acfchefs.org.
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Photos are available of both master chefs upon request.
Contact: Lisa Alessandro, APR
(904) 824-4468, ext. 103
lalessandro@acfchefs.net