About Us
ACF Windy City Professional Culinarians, founded in Chicago in 2003, is one of the fastest-growing chapters of the American Culinary Federation (ACF). The chapter operates under the ACF's charter and as such espouses the organization's goals and tenets.
Our Mission
ACF Windy City Professional Culinarians strives to make a positive impact on the lives of chefs and cooks representing every segment of the foodservice industry, as well as students who aspire to cook professionally. The association promotes camaraderie, learning and sharing within the local culinary community.
ACF Windy City Professional Culinarians welcomes all foodservice professionals to its ranks so that every member may benefit from the knowledge and experience of his and her peers.
Our Core Values
The following list of core values reflects what is truly important to us as an organization. These are not values that change from time to time, situation to situation or person to person, but rather they are the foundation of our chapter’s culture. Many people feel ACFWCPC is an exciting organization to be a part of. These core values are the primary reasons for their feeling, and they transcend our size and our growth rate. By maintaining these core values, regardless of how large ACFWCPC becomes, we can preserve what has always been special about our chapter. These core values are the sauce of our chapter.
Provide Cutting Edge Education opportunities along with Experienced and Professional mentoring
We partner with our suppliers and sponsors to educate, inspire and communicate the outstanding quality and benefits of new products and knowledge. Engage renowned professionals who are willing to share their knowledge and experience to ensure that the next generation of professionals has the tools to succeed
Fun and Entertaining
Our commitment to camaraderie and enjoyment are the spirit of the Chapter.
We are members of both a chapter and a family. We believe that the best teams are those that not only work with each other but also interact with each other outside of the business environment
Socially Responsible
We treat everyone with respect, fairness and integrity at all times and expects the same in return.
We respect our environment and recycle, reuse, and reduce our waste wherever and whenever we can.
Respected in our Communities, Industry and by our Colleagues
We recognize our responsibility to be active participants in our local communities. We will give a proportion(TBD) of our time and talent to support a wide variety of community and non-profit organizations.
Fiscal Responsibility
Integrity in All Business Dealings.
Honesty and Communication.
We are committed to honesty, timeliness and clarity in communicating with our members, supporters and sponsors.
We seek to create transparency from top to bottom with respect to activities, planning, and opportunities.
Our Members
With over 250 members ACF Windy City Professional Culinarians embraces a spirit of inclusion, welcoming those representing restaurants, hotels, private clubs, catering companies, casinos, contract foodservice, culinary and hospitality educators, dietitians, manufacturers, suppliers and vendors to foodservice.
Many within ACF Windy City Professional Culinarians are certified by ACF as executive chefs, pastry chefs, chefs de cuisine, culinary educators, and more. Several members of ACF Windy City Professional Culinarians hold dual membership in the honorary society of ACF, the American Academy of Chefs (AAC), induction into which is by invitation and qualification.
Our Impact
A partial list of awards and honors won by the chapter and its members over the last few years:
2012 ACF Chef & Child Foundation True Spirit Award - Mike Hiller
2012 Central Region Conference Baron H. Galand Culinary Knowledge Bowl Champions - Kendall College coached by Dina Altieri, CEC, CCE, Gold Medal and Second Place at 2012 ACF Nationals
2012 National Champion, Central Region Champion, What's in your Wok, Riviana Rice Competition - Austin Yancey, CEC, Le Cordon Bleu
2011 Central Region – ACF Region of the Year
2011 Chef Educator of the Year - Dina Altieri, CEC, CCE
2011 NATIONAL Baron H. Galand Culinary Knowledge Bowl Champions - Kendall College coached by Dina Altieri, CEC, CCE
2011 American Academy of Chefs Honorary Fellows - Christopher Koetke, CEC, CCE, HAAC
2011 ACF Achievement of Excellence Awards - Goodwill Great Lakes at the Naval Station Great Lakes, Great Lakes, Ill.
2011 President’s Medallion – Brian F. Lorge, CCTP
2010 ACF Achievement of Excellence Awards - Pier 37 Bar & Grill, Chicago IL
2010 NATIONAL Chef Professionalism Award - John Reed, CEC, CCA, ACE
2010 NATIONAL Knowledge Bowl Champions - Kendall College coached by Dina Altieri, CEC, CCE
2010 President's Medallion - Linda Rosner, CEC, CHE
2010 Inductee, American Academy of Chefs - Robert Walter, CEC, CCA, AAC
2010 AAC Sharing Culinary Traditions Award - Michael Garbin, CEC, AAC, HOGT
2010 Central Region Chef Educator of the Year - Timothy Meyers, CCC, CCE
2010 Central Region Chef of the Year Runner-up/Gold Medalist - Michael Garbin, CEC, AAC, ACE, HGT
2010 Central Region Cutting Edge Award - L. Fernando Mojica (Student)
2009 Central Region Chapter of the Year
2009 Central Region Pastry Chef of the Year - Ford Culbertson
2009 President's Medallion - Michael Garbin, CEC, AAC, ACE, HGT
2008 President's Medallion - Jill Russell, CEC, CCE
2008 President's Medallion - David Kramer
2008 President's Medallion - Robert Walter, CEC, CCA, AAC
2008 Honorable Order of the Golden Toque - Michael Garbin, CEC, AAC, HGT
2007 Central Region Chef of the Year - Matthew Southard, CEC
2007 Central Region Pastry Chef of the Year - Michelle Garcia
2007 Central Region Educator of the Year - Michael Artlip, CEC, CCE, CHE
Central Region Chapter Achievement Award - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012
Through scholarship and personal commitment by our members and education and supplier partners, ACF Windy City Professional Culinarians is ensuring qualified personnel for Chicagos foodservice workforce of tomorrow. An assertive and successful apprenticeship program operated by the association supports Chicagos vibrant foodservice industry by instructing future cooks via time-honored hands-on training.
Our Home
Members of ACF Windy City Professional Culinarians meet throughout the greater Chicago area over the course of the year, thanks to monthly educational meetings that shine the spotlight on food and issues facing culinarians.
ACF Windy City Professional Culinarians is headquartered at;
850 W Bartlett Rd Ste 2C
Bartlett IL 60103-4454
