President’s Awards Dinner 2009
The American Culinary Foundation, Washington State Chapter, held its Annual Presidents Awards Banquet at the Columbia Tower Club on Monday March 9, 2009. The view from the 76th floor provided a stunning backdrop for the gourmet dinner provided by Executive Chef James Hassell and his crew, assisted by students from Renton Technical College and Puget Sound Skills Center. 2008 Chapter President, Brian Date CEC, presented Board members and committee chairs with special recognition awards to thank them for going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the success of the chapter. Special awards were also given to those schools and businesses that contributed to the success of the Governors Inaugural Ball. The highlight of the evening came with the announcement of the 2008 Student of the Year:STUDENT OF THE YEAR” AWARD 2008
Student of the Year – Nicolas Ganea, Renton Technical College. Nicholas is a great supporter of the association. In addition to his studies and jobs he is always the first to volunteer to help out when needed and is present at every competition. He is dedicated to the profession and we wish him the best of luck. His mentors Kevin Blaylock CEC(Puget Sound Skills Center), John Fisher CEC,CCE,AAC(Renton Technical College) and Tamas Ronyai all joined in congratulating him.
NEW TRUSTEES
Current president, Gary Fuller CEC, CCE, AAC introduced new trustees to the membership. Walter Bronowitz. CCC,CCE,AAC, John Fisher CEC,CCE,AAC and Chris Plemmons CEC,AAC will join Darrell Anderson CEC,CCE,AAC (missing) and Jim Douglas CEC, CCE, AAC in overseeing our organization. We thank them for their dedication.
The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in America. With more than 19,000 members spanning 240 chapters nationwide, ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and accreditation. In addition, ACF operates the only comprehensive certification program for chefs in the U.S. ACF is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the United States in major international culinary competitions, and also holds the presidium for the World Association of Chefs Societies, the largest international network of chef associations with more than 8 million members globally.
EDUCATIONAL SEGMENT
For the Presidents Awards Dinner Meeting we had a great educational segment with Chef Kevin Blaylock CEC. He is a self -described hobby mycologist with a passion for the variety of truffles and mushrooms that are native to the Pacific Northwest. His educational segment took us deep into the forests of Washington state while learning the secrets of these most elusive ingredients.