President's Message

Hello to all Members & Partners,

Hello and Welcome to 2023, We are excited to enter a new year full of opportunity for growth, learning and educational opportunities for every level of the culinary industry. We are continuing to strive for certification of our members with multiple Certification opportunities this year in both Georgia “Atlanta and Augusta Chapters.”

This year we also are happy to continue our support and work with SkillsUSA with State Championships in March and National SkillUSA in Atlanta in June. We encourage all ACF Atlanta Members and Partners to come support these events as Volunteers or Emotional Supporters as well. These students are excited to showcase their talents and hard work.

This year we plan on having both social & educational events, also volunteer opportunities available to those that want to give back. We also will continue to offer Educational Grants for members working towards continual education and certification.

This year the ACF National Convention is being held in New Orleans with the local host chapter is looking forward to welcome us like only New Orleans can. The National ACF team working to produce an amazing time for all of our members this year. If you have not registered yet, please do hotels and registration will fill up soon and prices will increase the longer you wait.

This year the National Office Team is working diligently on a myriad of new webinars for all members to enjoy from the comfort of their office, home or anywhere they like. Last year’s Webinars where well received which tells us that you would like more. Keep an eye out for emails and registration for upcoming ACF Webinars.

As this New Year starts, I ask all members at all levels to come and get involved, any level and any amount. I look forward to see each and every one of you at the next ACF Atlanta Chefs Association event. Thank You

We are not a team because we work together. We are a team because we respect, trust and care for each other.

All the Best,

Chef Nick Barrington CEC ACE  I  Certified Executive Chef

East Lake Golf Club  I President ACF Atlanta Chefs Association Inc

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ACF Atlanta Chef Happenings

Thank you ACF Atlanta Chefs for making 2022 a great year.  Here are some of the highlights from our events.  Within our chapter, we promote the highest standards of professionalism, through certification, integrity, respect for diversity and transparency. ACF Atlanta continues to strive for leadership Within our association and our workplaces, we adapt to changes in our industry, reward creativity and continuous improvement, and promote leadership, building productive relationships, networking, serving customers, and collaborating with our partners and their highest standards of quality in all products and services, setting high goals and taking pride in hard work, persistence, and success.

January - We have had great participation at President’s Gala at the Hansen Group.  Thanks to the Proof of the Pudding chefs, & staff for making this a great way to kick off the year.  February – Royal Food Service hosted ACF-ACA for an amazing Kalera Farm Tour.  March – We pared up with Smithfield Culinary at Premier Food Service  May – TriMark Truck & Vender Show, where we had over 24 partners/vendors come on out.  June – National SkillsUSA Finals & Skills Student Challenge featuring award winning Chefs from GA.  Lionel Hughes CEC / Danny Cerqueda CEC at The Georgia World Congress Center.  August – Certification Zoom Meeting.  ACF Atlanta is committed to helping those chefs  with continual education & certification.  September – Super September with Super Source and Chef Josh Lee from Lake & Oak BBQ.  October – Our Coffee Dessert Meet-up: Featuring 3 well know Pastry Chefs – Natasha Capper, CEPC / Alex Hwang, CEPC – National Pastry Chef of the Year; and Frances Coffey well known Pastry business in the southeast at The Hansen Group.  November – ACF Atlanta Chefs Golf Classic at Ansley Golf Club.  We had over 100 golfers thanks to Smithfield Culinary, Royal Cup Coffee & Club Procure.

Certifications: Partnered with ACF Augusta Chapter on 3 practical Exams, hosted 1 in Atlanta.

Charitable aspects: Ashley Keyes and C.H.O.I.C.E.S provided over 1 million meals to families with food insecurities during 2022. Chef Charlie Hatney AND Chef John Beal spearheaded the 2^nd Annual Feeding First Responders – We feed over 400 firefighters, police officers, and EMTs in two different locations.

We also want to thank all our amazing Partners for helping ACF Atlanta be 

This is just a snip-it of what we did in 2022.  We look forward to hosting many more exciting events in 2023.  Starting with our president’s Gala at East Lake Gold Club.

Don’t forget to follow us on our Social Media Platforms and stay up to date with everything ACF Atlanta Chefs Association, Inc.

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Welcome New Members

The American Culinary Federation-Atlanta Chefs Association, Inc (ACF-ACA) is a chef driven organization to promote professionalism in the kitchens of Atlanta, the surrounding metro area and to the borders of the state of Georgia. ACF-ACA invests in the careers of its members by effectively equipping them with the tools needed to succeed in the industry. Brings together hard-working chefs, cooks, chef educators, pastry chefs, bakers, caterers, culinary enthusiasts, industry purveyors, culinary students and other culinarians through networking, education, certification, camaraderie and community service are just a few initiatives of ACF-ACA.

“We gain strength as we strengthen those around us!” Working together for the betterment of the culinary industry is the catalyst that unleashes the potential in our members. Providing them the tools of education, certification and networking opportunities elevates our organization above the rest.

To join ACF Atlanta Chefs: Click Here

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Partners Spotlight

Route Program

Our Super Source trucks are "Stores on Wheels" that drive to your business every week during a time that is convenient for you and your business. We check your inventory levels and restock only what is necessary, and have additional items available on the truck for your convenience.

You might wonder..."What items are available on the truck?"

We offer almost everything your business needs. Check out the list below:

• Chemicals to clean anything
• Mops, brooms, floor brushes, floor squeegees, handles, dust pans, etc.
• Window squeegees, grill brushes, grill pads, stainless steel sponge, green scouring pad, etc.
• Sanitizer buckets, spray bottles, sprayers
• Can liners; synthetic, vinyl, and latex gloves; aprons
• Hand soap (foaming & lotion), hand sanitizer
• Metered deodorizers, insecticides, air sanitizers
• Urinal screens and pads
• Standard and jumbo size toilet paper; kitchen paper towels and hard-wound paper towels
• Minor plumbing parts

Additional Items

We also carry the following items, just in case:

• Hand soap dispensers, paper towel dispensers, toilet paper dispensers, deodorizer dispenser
• Mop buckets
• Trash cans
• Glass racks, cup racks, flatware racks, plate racks, flatware cylinders, flatware carriers

The Benefits of The Super Source Route Program

There are numerous benefits in partnering with Super Source and having the peace of mind that comes with knowing our Route Program has you and your business covered. These benefits include:

1. You save time by having a route manager check your inventory for you (one less thing to worry about). If you need an item, the route manager will restock it. If your inventory levels are fine, the route manager won't leave anything, and there is no extra cost to you for the route manager to stop by and check on your inventory levels.
2. You won't run out of chemicals or other items, thereby eliminating the need to make an emergency trip to the store.
3. You no longer need to keep a large stockpile of chemicals that takes up extra space and leads to product waste.
4. Discounted prices on quality products and even larger discounts for customers buying all of our general cleaners.
5. Access to knowledgeable route managers that can answer all your cleaning questions and help you troubleshoot a problem.
6. Customers on our warewash program receive free 24/7 service, excluding parts unless your machine is under warranty. All machines leased through Super Source also includes all parts.
7. Our service team works on any commercial dish machine.
8. We lease dish machines and give our customers the option to buy the machine for $1 at the end of the lease.
9. No hidden fees; no additional fees for emergency dish machine service, even on holidays.

Find Out More

To find out more about the benefits of using the Super Source Route Program, call a location near you or email us at [email protected].

Sales & Support - Phone 770.423.0006 I  Sales: General - [email protected]

Download PDF File

Locations

Georgia / North Florida / Central Florida / North Carolina / South Carolina / Houston Texas / Nashville Tennessee / Washington, D.C. / Baltimore Maryland / Northern Virginia

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ACF NATIONAL NEWS

Special Elections for Internal Audit Committee Chair

The new Special Elections for Internal Audit Committee Chair is Chef Kathleen Vossenberg, CEC, CCE. The term of office will begin immediately and run through the 2024 ACF National Convention. Click here to learn more about this position.

Upcoming Webinars Series:

January 18, 2023 - 3 p.m. EST
ACF ChefsForum: Today’s Veal Industry - A Story of Animal Wellbeing. Register

Becoming ACF Certified:

ACF certification demonstrates skill, knowledge and professionalism. Find useful tools to determine what ACF certifications you are eligible to apply for. Get ACF Certified

What’s unique about the ACF Certification Program?

The ACF certification program is the most comprehensive certification program for culinarians offering 15 certification levels. Culinarians achieve certification based on education, experience, and successful completion of written and practical exams. The certification programs is guided by the ACF Certification Commission. Learn more about the Certification Commission.

Differentiate Yourself:

ACF Certification adds value to the certificants, employers and the public. With thousands of chefs competing in the job market, it is essential to prove your culinary competency.

Benefits of ACF Certification:

• Enhances reputation by proving the chef has the knowledge and skills required for a position;
• Shows that the chef embraces continuing education as a life-long goal for continual improvement and mastery of the culinary arts;
• Instills self-confidence when the chef achieves the goal of earning a reputable, challenging and quality-driven credential;
• Communicates that the chef upholds the Culinarian’s Code of Ethics, including conducting oneself with honesty, integrity and fairness in providing professional service;
• Proves that the chef can collaborate with others to cultivate new and innovative culinary techniques and skills.

Follow ACF Atlanta on Social Media t o find locations in our Region for your Practical Exams. 

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Wellness Resources

Giving Kitchen provides emergency assistance for food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources. 

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Giving Kitchen

Click on the Image to learn more!

ACF’s Wellness Partners

Have a look at this new list of Wellness Resources produced by ACF’s Work Life Balance Task Force. The goal is to help members address critical mental wellness concepts and improve the culture in their own kitchens and workplaces.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. For help, dial 988.

CHOW’s mission is to support wellness within the hospitality industry and to improve the lives of our community through shared stories, skills, and resources. Virtual and in-person meetings available.

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