Award Winners Announced At 2008 ACF Southeast Regional Conference

The American Culinary Federation (ACF), Inc., the largest association of professional culinarians in North America, honored its members and chapters at the 2008 ACF Southeast Regional Conference held at the Williamsburg Lodge, Williamsburg, Va., March 1-3.

The 2008 ACF Southeast Regional Conference award recipients listed below will compete for the national title against their winning regional counterparts at the 2008 ACF National Convention in Las Vegas, July 14-17.

U.S.A.'s Chef of the Year?, sponsored by Unilever Foodsolutions
Russell Scott III, CMC; executive chef, Isleworth Country Club, Windermere, Fla.; ACF Central Florida Chapter

ACF Pastry Chef of the Year, sponsored by Splenda?
Vanessa Haden, CPC; owner/director, The Wedding Cake, Louisville, Ky.; ACF Kentucky Chapter

ACF Chef Educator of the Year
David J. Pantone, CEC, CEPC, CCE, AAC; dean of culinary education, Florida Culinary Institute, West Palm Beach, Fla.; ACF Palm Beach County Chefs Association

ACF Hermann G. Rusch Chef's Achievement Award
Roland Schaeffer, CEC, AAC, HOF; retired, St. Augustine, Fla.; National Chapter

ACF Chef Professionalism Award, sponsored by Nestl? Professional
Hans J. Schadler, CEC, AAC; executive chef/director of culinary operations and development, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, Va.; ACF Virginia Chefs' Association

ACF Student Culinarian of the Year, sponsored by Custom Culinary, Inc.
JohnMichael F. Lynch; Vinnings, Ga.; apprentice and line cook, Cherokee Town & Country Club, Atlanta; ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter Inc.

Baron H. Galand Culinary Knowledge Bowl, sponsored by Pearson Prentice Hall
ACF Middle Tennessee Chapter; The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Tennessee-Nashville, Nashville, Tenn.; Kristy Wilkins, coach

ACF Student Team Regional Championship, sponsored by R.L. Schreiber, Inc.
ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter, Inc., Atlanta; Andrew Miller, CEC, chef-instructor, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts--Atlanta, Tucker, Ga., coach

The 2008 ACF Southeast Regional Conference award recipients listed below were recognized for their outstanding contributions and goodwill.

ACF Chapter of the Year
ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter Inc., Atlanta

ACF Chapter Achievement Award
ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter Inc., Atlanta
ACF Tampa Bay Culinary Association, Tampa, Fla.

ACF President's Medallions
Michael Deihl, CEC, CCA, AAC; executive chef, East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta; ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter Inc.
Anne Gregory; executive chef/owner, Xquisite Edibles La Femme Chef, Palm Bay,
Fla.; ACF Space Coast Chapter
Johnnie L. Jones; executive chef/owner, Genesis Cafe & Catering, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla.; ACF First Coast Chapter
Dirk Rusthoven, CEC, CCA; corporate executive chef, IFH Foodservice Distribution, Hickory, N.C.; ACF Inc. Charlotte Chapter
Hans J. Schadler, CEC, AAC; executive chef/director of culinary operations and development, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, Va.; ACF Virginia Chefs' Association
Derek Spendlove, CEPC, CCE, AAC; baking and pastry-arts chair, Sullivan University, Louisville, Ky.; ACF Kentucky Chapter

Joseph Amendola Outstanding Member Award
Jeff Bacon, CEC, CCA; executive chef/program director, Second Harvest Foodbank of Northwest North Carolina, Winston Salem, N.C.; ACF Triad Chapter NC.

American Academy of Chefs Chair's Scholarship
Tenita Weygand, Providence Forge, Va.; student, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, Va.; apprentice, Colonial Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg, Va.; ACF Virginia Chefs' Association

Chosen for its history and attractions, Williamsburg was the location of the 2008 ACF Southeast Regional Conference hosted by ACF Virginia Chefs Association. Bringing more than 300 chefs, cooks and foodservice professionals to the city, the confer