President's Message

Hello to all Members & Partners,

The year continues to surprise us with weather changing each day while slowly warming to the temperature we are all used to seeing in April in Georgia. We are all looking forward getting out and enjoying all the great outdoor events like BBQ, Sports and fun with friends. Let’s all take time to spend quality moments with those we love and helps us continue to do what we love which is cooking and feeding people.

Recently our ACF Atlanta Chapter had the pleasure to participate at multiple Culinary Competitions from Chaine Rotisserie, Skills USA, Prostart and FCCLA. This shows that the culinary industry is coming back to life stronger than ever before with energy shown by both culinary students and the mentors and instructors that help him as well. We look forward in helping these great competitions grow and help build a stringer culinary industry.

On March 27^th, we held a ACF Atlanta Chefs Association Meet and Greet with our Friends at Master Marketing with Chef Bobby Lang and the incredible team, more then 60+ ACF Members attended and learned about Smithfield’s SmokeN’ Fast Meats and all the incredible cooking equipment’s from Master Marketing along with all the other equipment from glasses to plates and more. If it's something you need Master Marketing most likely has it in their repertoire.

Reminder to all Members that we have our National Election in all swing and voting starts on April 24th. We as ACF Atlanta Chefs Association Inc. Supports our Current ACF National President Chef Kimberly Brock Brown CEPC, CCA, AAC for President. Please Vote and have your voices herd. If you need assistance voting please reach out to us.

This year the ACF National Convention is being held in New Orleans with the local host chapter from New Orleans and 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.

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

Certified Executive Chef

East Lake Golf Club

President ACF Atlanta Chefs Association Inc

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ACF Atlanta Chef Happenings

For the past few weeks ACF Atlanta Chefs have been out helping students practice their culinary skills, Mentoring, Judging, and Participating in Student Competitions.  Chef Isiah Simon headed up the Chaîne’s Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs (JCR) Competition at the Shular Institute. This competition encourages and promotes young chefs in culinary excellence by exposing them to a competitive environment with their peers. The Atlanta winner will go on to compete in the Regional Competition.  Chef Alex Bladowski & Chef Chris Bladowski from North Georgia Technical College headed up the amazing SkillsUSA Georgia State Competitions. Thank you all so much for everything you do for our students very appreciative of the work you put in and the time you took to help provide our students a great opportunity to showcase their skills. It would not have been possible without you and our partners: Gordon Food Service, Royal Cup Coffee, Manning Brothers, Mercer Culinary, and PFG. This was our largest state championship to date! Please make sure you go to our YouTube page to check out the video recap. https://www.youtube.com

Moving onto ProStart, this year’s competition proved to be as exciting as last year.  Students from Berkmar High School and Maxwell High School of Technology took home top honors at the Georgia ProStart State Invitational! They will be headed to the 2023 National ProStart Invitational in May, competing against nearly 400 students from across the country. Thank you to Chef Judges and Educators: Chef Isaac Crawford, Chef Darcey Chambers, and Chef Kristina Dahl!  Congratulations to Chef Amanda Williams from Maxwell High School, her Accredited program is going motivation our young culinarians.  Our final competition of the month was FCCLA, where Chef Joe Costa & Chef Timothy St. Clair Georgia FCCLA State Leadership Conference, students will have the opportunity to expand their leadership and culinary potential in knife skills, chicken fabrication, and creative Show Piece.  Thank you to all the chefs who help young chefs fulfill their culinary dreams, empower students with tangible culinary skills, knowledge to foster healthy relationships with food, and assist them land jobs in high-end restaurants. 

In the mist of student competitions, we kicked off out Meet-ups in March with a Meat & Greet at Master Marketing.  Master Marketing is the southeast’s premier Manufacturers Rep & Wholesale Distribution Company. Chef Bobby Lang and the team of culinary specialist prepared delectable delights with Smithfield Culinary Smoke'N Fast line of products. ACF membership had to opportunity to mingle through the showrooms, dine on some creative food .. and enjoy a wine glass demonstration in the tap room.  Thank you Master Marketing & Smithfield Culinary for a great Meat & Greet!

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 and your ACF Membership is both a national and local experience. Local ACF Chapter meetings are the perfect way to network, develop professionally and maybe even find your next job.

To join ACF Atlanta Chefs: Click Here

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Partners Spotlight

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ACF NATIONAL NEWS

Download the ACF App! Scan the QR Code or click the button to download the ACF app and stay up to date! View Upcoming ACF Events View Event Agendas, Sessions, and Speakers Connect With Fellow ACF Event Attendees Keep Up With the Latest ACF News     To our fellow ACF members. During the past week tornadoes have been wrecking havoc throughout the Midwest and now into the South. Our thoughts and prayers are with each person experiencing this weather. The well-being of our members and their communities is very important to us and we want to provide an update on disaster relief efforts and how ACF chefs can help. Request Assistance for Yourself or an ACF Member ACF wants to lift the financial burden of those without food, shelter, power or employment. ACF members may be eligible for support from the ACFEF Disaster Relief Fund: ACFEF Disaster Relief Fund Assistance Funds from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) Disaster Relief Fund are available to assist ACF members, schools with ACFEF programmatic accreditation and its students, communities and individuals affected by catastrophic events and natural disasters. This form is also in the Members Portal. ACFEF Assistance Make a Donation Donate to ACFEF Disaster Relief Fund By Check: Make checks payable to ACFEF Disaster Relief Fund. Mail to: American Culinary Federation l 6816 Southpoint Pkwy., Suite 400 l Jacksonville, Florida 32216 By Credit Card: Call the ACF National office to make a credit card donation at (904) 484-0220. Other Ways to Help: Many organizations are mobilized to enter disaster areas and provide on site support. We encourage you to donate to your charity of choice, such as the American Red Cross, and to consider grassroots fundraising initiatives. Thank you for all you do to help fellow chefs in need.  Kimberly Brock Brown, CEPC, CCA, AAC ACF National President

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Wellness Resources

Local Resources for Food Service Workers

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

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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