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We had a very successful ACF competition in September and I want to congratulate all of the competitors. The judges were extremely impressed with our junior members and the participation that they brought to the show. It would be great to see more professional participation in this event. Not only do you get the opportunity to hone your skills, you create awareness and inspiration for our juniors. Congratulations to the team entrants from ACI and ICS. We look forward to an intense competition in Tucson on November 21st, which will determine the representative team from Arizona in February’s Western Regional Conference.
Speaking of the Western Regional Conference, I am pleased and proud to announce that our chapter will host the ACF Western Regional Conference in late April of 2011. We have secured the new Talking Stick Resort @ Casino Arizona for this event and planning will begin soon. We will travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico in February of 2010 to make a presentation to the regional membership for 2011. I want to thank Paul Herren for being instrumental in securing this grand event for our chapter and for Arizona. We will all need to work very hard to put on a great event and I hope you can all volunteer in some manner. The progress and great strides that we, the ACFAZ, have made in the last two years are testament to the fact that the American Culinary Federation has granted us this amazing opportunity. I thank you all for your hard work and dedication.
This fall brings us 4 very exciting events as we close 2009 and look forward to 2010. First, our Gold Level sponsor US Foodservice of Arizona will host a very special meeting, Monday, October 19th. We will meet at Rio Vista Community Park, 8866 W. Thunderbird Rd., Peoria, AZ 85381(Inside Rio Vista Community Park) for our board and general meetings, followed by a dynamic presentation on Certified Angus Beef. ‘The Science Behind the Sizzle,” We will be treated to a butchery demonstration of a whole hog by Hormel as well as a steak tasting with CAB. Please come out to support our monthly chapter meeting and take advantage of the learning (and great eating) opportunities.
Our Chef of the Year Dinner will take place on November 7th, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge. This event will cap off our year and many awards will be given out. The dinner, a special 1970/80’s retro theme, will be prepared by Executive Chef Oliver Reschreiter and Banquet Chef Sam Belmonte. This is a premier resort in the valley and we are privileged to hold our annual dinner there. Tickets are available through our Web Site (www.acfaz.org),
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,
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, or by
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(Eric). Ticket cost is $95.00 per person and we’re very happy that we could keep them at last year’s level. We also now accept credit cards.
Monday, November 9th will take us to EVIT, where we will have a very businesslike meeting focused on learning the ins and outs of social networking platforms and how they can help us personally and professionally. Our featured guest speaker will be Jill Allen, from Peddler’s Son Produce, an expert in this field.
Our silent auction will again benefit C-CAP, Careers Through Culinary Arts Programs. Spearheaded by member Jill Smith, this organization provides scholarship opportunities to our local high school students seeking formal culinary education. 100% of the silent auction funds raised at this event will stay in Arizona and be directly distributed by C-CAP to the students in the form of scholarships. If you have something you would like to donate to the auction, or if you can donate some time, please contact
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directly or 623-606-6213. I can also be contacted for this.
Our final meeting in 2009 is of the utmost importance. Hosted by Glenn Humphrey @ Arizona Culinary Institute on Monday December 7, @ 3:00 pm, we will be conducting a goal setting and strategizing meeting to determine the future direction of the ACFAZ. All newly elected officers and board members will be present, and all members are invited to participate. Over the last two years, our chapter, as a unified chapter in Arizona, has come a long way. This is your chapter and the future direction that it takes requires your participation. The officers and board members want to hear your ideas and work together, as a team, to plan for 2010 and beyond with goals and the strategies to reach those goals. Without your direct input, it is very difficult to bring about the changes that best serve you, our members. I encourage you to attend and participate in this very important meeting.
2010 will kick off @ Shamrock Foods on Tuesday, January 12, with our 3rd annual ACFAZ/Shamrock Foods Educational Conference. This day will feature a variety of educational activities and events. If you are interested in presenting at this event, please contact me to discuss it. If there is something in particular you would like to see, also contact me and we will try to accommodate you. We are working hard to have a special guest appearance by world renowned ACF Chef Fritz Sonnerschmidt, CMC, AAC, HOF. Fritz is a certified master chef and his sausage making demonstrations are truly educational and enjoyable. I will update you when we confirm his appearance. As always, this conference is free of charge and continental breakfast, lunch, and exquisite buffet dinner will be served. Please save the date and plan on joining us.
It has been an honor and privilege to serve you as Chapter President for the last 2 years. I look forward to continuing my service to the chapter in 2010 as Chairman of the Board. I want to thank all of you for the tremendous support you have given to me and the chapter. I encourage you to stay involved, recruit new members, and enjoy the benefits that the American Culinary Federation, Chef’s Association of Arizona has to offer. May the remainder of the year bring cool weather, an enjoyable and profitable holiday season, and a healthy and happy New Year. Thanks for everything.
Sincerely,
--Eric
Eric Watson
ACFAZ Chapter President
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