United States Army Culinary Arts Team Earns Gold At

American Culinary Federation (ACF) members were among those on the United States Army Culinary Arts Team, which earned a gold medal in Category R, Restaurant of Nations, during the second day of competitions, Oct. 20, at the Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung (IKA) International Culinary Art Competition, or "culinary Olympics," taking place Oct. 19-22 in Erfurt, Germany.

Military teams participate in two competitions, Category R Restaurant of Nations-mobile kitchen, and Category B Culinary Art-cold platters display. Yesterday, the United States Army Culinary Arts Team prepared 150 three-course menus in the Restaurant of Nations competition. Teams were judged on a point system based on mise en place and cleanliness preparation, correct professional preparation, arrangement and presentation/innovation and taste. Their next competition will take place Oct. 22, in which the team will prepare seven, three-course menus, prepared hot and displayed cold for 500 and suitable for troops of all ranks.

Countries represented in military competition:
� Germany
� Hungary
� Ireland
� Netherlands
� Poland
� Slovenia
� Sweden
� Switzerland
� United Kingdom
� United States.

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 21,500 members spanning 230 chapters nationwide, ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and 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. For more information, visit www.acfchefs.org.

About ACF Culinary Team USA
ACF Culinary Team USA is the official representative team of the United States in major national and international culinary competitions. It comprises one national team of six members, two regional teams with five members each, and a youth team of five members less than 23 years old. Sponsors of ACF Culinary Team USA are Kraft Foodservice, Tyson Food Service, Uncle Ben's, Unilever, Club Managers Association of America, KitchenAid, Chef Revival, Fortessa, The Beef Checkoff , Friedr. Dick, Westchester Country Club and Blodgett. Visit www.acfchefs.org to learn more about the team.

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TO SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW WITH AN ACF CHEF WHEN THEY RETURN FROM GERMANY, PLEASE CONTACT ACF.