A C F Invites Students To Apply For Its 2011 Student Culinarian Invitational

The American Culinary Federation (ACF), the nation's largest organization of professional chefs, is pleased to announce a new opportunity for all ACF student culinarian members. Students 18 years and older who are U.S. citizens are invited to apply for the Student Culinarian Invitational, a culinary event designed to foster mentorship and nurture culinary excellence, taking place during the 2011 ACF National Convention at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas, July 22-26, 2011.

"In 2010, I had the privilege of attending the Canadian Culinary Federation's Junior Chefs Ice Breaker Reception featuring student teams from each province during the organization's national conference in Windsor, Ontario," said Michael Ty, CEC, AAC, ACF national president. "Following the reception, I decided that ACF should host a similar event for students during our 2011 ACF National Convention. I hope the Student Culinarian Invitational creates stronger chapter mentorship and provides students with another avenue to connect with professional chefs."

Five teams, four two-person teams and their mentors representing each of the four ACF regions and one at large team, will be selected to prepare an appetizer and entree or entree and dessert that best represents their region at a special reception/dinner July 23, 2011. Winning teams will receive full registration and accommodations at the 2011 ACF National Convention. Students will also enjoy a private reception with ACF leaders and special guests. Winners who meet the age requirements mandated by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) will also travel, with complimentary airfare, hotel and registration, to the 2012 WACS International Congress in Seoul, South Korea.

Deadline to apply is May 13, 2011. Winners will be announced May 31, 2011. For complete guidelines and to download the application, visit www.acfchefs.org/StudentCulinarianInvitational.

Thousands of chefs, cooks and foodservice professionals will attend this year's national convention in Dallas. There will be educational seminars, culinary demonstrations, networking and social functions, culinary competitions, meal events and national awards. For information, visit www.acfchefs.org/events.

About the American Culinary Federation
The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in North America. With more than 20,000 members spanning 225 chapters nationwide, ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and programmatic accreditation. In addition, ACF operates the most comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United States. ACF is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the United States in major international culinary competitions, and to the Chef & Child Foundation, founded in 1989 to promote proper nutrition in children and to combat childhood obesity. For more information, visit www.acfchefs.org.