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New Membership Chair - Message

To start this session off, let me wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year.

I need to send a huge thank you to those who have supported in my recovery from the accident I had, My Lovely wife Maggie, Tandy and Steve Wilson and all of my co-workers. I also need to thank those friends and those to numerous to name in the time and space I have, you know who you are!

  
Now is the time for me to take on the challenge of Membership Chair of the Middle TN chapter again, in hopes I can give back to the profession and help to forward the chapter in new horizons and challenges. My E-Mail is mmwonderland@netscape.com for those who need to ensure address, Phone #, etc. is correct or who have just moved. It some times takes 1-2 months for this information to reach us at chapter level, so keep in contact.

We will, with our February meeting at the LOWES VANDERBUILT, reinstate the educational certificates for certification. We will take names from the sign in sheet for members who have attended and have the certifications in a file under the letter of the last name for pick up at the next meeting. It will be your responsibility to ensure that you sign in at each meeting and pick up your certifications from the file. That’s all for now, look for any and all updates on membership news on our web page.

Mark Weber CEC
Membership Chairman

Michael Adams (Chairman of Education) extends information on “Membership and Becoming a part of the American Culinary Federation.”

For many individuals in the Tennessee Valley region questions have gone without answer about ACF Certifications and why individuals in the hospitality industry should consider the certification process and becoming a qualified member of the “American Culinary Federation”

The Benefits of Certification: ACF certification provides an ideal career progression ladder within the foodservice industry. When you become ACF certified, you are demonstrating to current and future employers that you have initiative to take charge of your professional development and your career.All those who offer their culinary knowledge and skill in the market place, employ them, or are served by them, are beneficiaries of the ACF certification program. Candidate’s for initial ACF certification must have a high level of work and educational experience and pass both a written and practical cooking/baking examination. They must also complete coursework in food safety, nutrition, and supervisory management. Chefs must periodically refresh their knowledge in specific competencies and skills, and provide documentation of professional development.

Practical Testing: practical testing at each certification level adds value to the certification process and helps to demonstrate that ACF continuously strives to improve its programs to meet growing industry and public demands. The mandated competencies are commensurate with the expected level of skill for each level. ACF Chapters, accredited programs and even corporate food service offices can organize and administer certification practical tests to their members and associates by following the guidelines presented by the ACF Certification Practical Testing Guide. In order for the ACF to sanction a certification practical test, the host chapter/site/facility must complete and submit a formal application ensuring compliance with the ACF testing criteria.

Hospitality Industry Scholarships: A number of scholarships are available to those working in the hospitality industry. FastWEB offers access to a searchable database of more than 400,00 private sector scholarships, fellowships, grants, and student loans available to students like:

The American Academy of Chefs Chair’s Scholarship is awarded annually on a competitive basis. The scholarship is available to exemplary students currently enrolled in a full-time two- or four- year culinary program. Ten $1,000 scholarships will be awarded within The American Academy of Chefs region this year, and it will provide assistance toward covering the cost of culinary programs. Recipients will be announced by September 30 th of each year.

The American Academy of Chefs Chaine des Rotisseurs Scholarship is awarded annually on a competitive basis. Students must be enrolled in a full-time two-year culinary program. Twenty $1,000 scholarships will be awarded by The American Academy of Chefs regions this year, and it will provide assistance toward covering the cost of culinary programs. All applications should be receive postmarked no later than December 1 st and recipients announced by February 1 st of each year.

Local chapters of associations related to hospitality and tourism industry also offer scholarships. For a list of chapters contact the following:

• ·         Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI)   1300 L Street NW, Suite 800   Washington, DC 20005       Phone: (202)789-0089      www.hsmai.org

• ·         The American Institute of Wine & Food  304 West Liberty Street Suite 201   Louisville, Kentucky 40202   www.aiwf.org

National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) awards three high school seniors and Undergraduate students specializing in foodservice, hospitality management, culinary arts, food technology, dietics, and related degrees. A number of $2,000 in scholarships is awarded each year. Deadlines vary. For applications and additional information, go to www.nraef.org.

Written by: Whitney Porter who is an advanced student in the Culinary Arts program at Hunters Lane High School