The Chef de Cuisine Association of California, ACF-Los Angeles

Greetings!

Just when I thought things were going to slow down and I could take a breath; things at work have gone crazy! Now that I have talked about work, it is time to talk about the CCAC!

Just thinking about what we, the CCAC, have done so far this year is astonishing! And to think we are only in May! From now to the end of the year is to be even more astonishing!
So, in review these are some of the things we have done!

In January, we held a joint meeting with the Ventura Chapter at the Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge, where we remembered one of the ACF'S Greatest Members, Chef Harry Brockwell HOF, with two Memorial Services and a Luncheon. This was attended by many ACF Members from near and far. Both past and present national officers were in attendance.

On Monday, February 29, 2016, we had our Chef and Child Golf Tournament, at the Porter Valley Country Club, in Northridge, California. It was a success and a good time was had by all! We are looking forward to returning there next year. Please save the last Monday of February for what we hope will be an annual event.

On Monday, March 14, 2016, we had a dinner meeting with and educational seminar on Mangelista Pork at the Sheraton LAX Hotel. This was a rousing success! We had an awesome dinner and an outstanding education session.

The month of April was intense! The chapter was very busy!

We started the month off by flying to Hawaii for Chef Connect: Hawaii. This was the joint regional convention for the Western and Central Regions of the ACF. The event was very successful and was a goodtime. However, more importantly our chapter was well represented both by attendees and presenters. We had two Headline Presenters, Chef Eloise Cantrell CEC, CCE, AAC and Chef Eric Ernest CEC, CCA. Also Help me in congratulating Chef Christian Colette From AI North Hollywood as Team Coach of the CCAC & Art Institute Combined team and the Five Student Competitors on a job Well Done!. They Place 3rd in the Western Regional Knowledge Bowl Competition and won a Silver Medal!

After Chef Connect: Hawaii, we returned to Los Angeles, for our April Meeting, which was held on Monday, April 18, 2016, at The Red Room Wine Bar, where we were hosted by their Executive Chef, Joseph Gillard.  Chef Joseph and his crew did an outstanding job!   If you missed this dinner you should be kicking yourself!   We also had three outstanding educational presentations on Seafood, with a particular emphasis on Skuna Bay Farm Raised Salmon.  I would like to thank our friends at Skuna Bay Salmon who also donated an absolutely amazing farm raised salmon to us as a raffle prize.  I know I wish that I would have won that Skuna Bay Farm Raised Salmon, as did everyone else at the dinner.  I would like to thank Santa Monica Seafood for their presentation and contribution of seafood for the dinner.  Additionally, I would like to recognize and give a special thanks to Paul Link and Gourmet Foods for their continual and generous support of the CCAC.

At the April Dinner, we also welcomed a new member to our ranks, Chef Basil Kimbrew. We have already done an event with Chef Basil and look forward to his becoming an integral part of our chapter.

Also Special note to Asif Ahmed for hosting an internal Culinary Competition at Gate Gourmet at LAX area. It was great event and the challenging for competitors.

After the April Meeting, I was flying again! I was off to Baltimore for a class presented by Chef Rich Rosendale, CMC. His class was a hands on class on "Preparing for the CMC Test". This class was absolutely amazing. I recommend taking the other classes he teaches. Chef Rich is an amazing teacher besides being an outstanding master chef. On a side note, watch for a class this summer here in Los Angeles, to be taught by Chef Rich.

Additionally, in the month of April, I met with Chef Bruno Serato of the Anaheim White Restaurant, and Director of the Katerina Foundation, to discuss a partnership between the CCAC and the Katerina Foundation to expand the efforts of our local Chef and Child Foundation. This partnership is intended to feed children in our communities on a regular basis. I am asking all of you to be a part of this! Please watch for additional upcoming details.

The month of May 2016.

Here we are in the first week of May, and we already had action packed month! We started on Sunday, May 1, 2016, at Steven's Steakhouse in Commerce, California, where we celebrated Toya Tong's Retirement! I hope that if I live to be 90, that I am as sharp, active, vibrant and young looking as Toya! Not only did we recognize Toya's Retirement with IFSEA and Buffet Luncheon with Mariachis and Japanese Dragon Drummers, we recognized her for her many years of Leadership at IFSEA.

I would like to thank Toya on behalf of the CCAC for her continued kindness and exceptional generosity to the CCAC in that she gave us a $1000.00 Check for Student Scholarship Fund! We are honored and humbled by your kindness and generosity. In addition, she gave generous gifts to the Ventura Chapter of the ACF and to LA Mission College.

Now if that wasn't enough for May, we had another event the very next day!

On Monday, May 2, 2016, Heinz Nassif, the founder and owner, of Gourmet Foods, had an Open House at their Rancho Dominguez Location to celebrate their 30th Anniversary of being in Business. The entire membership of the CCAC was invited by both Heinz Nassif and Paul Link. The members who attended told me what an outstanding time they had. Congratulations on your 30 Anniversary!

I personally was unable to attend as I was in Oxnard, CA, at the Channel Islands Harbor, attending an apprenticeship meeting with Chef Mike Lodi, President of the Ventura ACF Chapter, and with Chef Pat Doler of the Ventura High School District.  We had a great meeting!  I am proud to announce that we now have Three Apprentices!  We also have two Apprenticeship Houses!  The Marriott Ventura and the Embassy Suites Channel Islands.  Thank you and Welcome aboard!

On Saturday, May 21, 2016, there will be a Thai Fruit Carving Competition in Thai Town Los Angeles.  There will be both amateur and professional categories with fantastic prizes including a Grand Prize of a Trip to Thailand.  If you are interested please contact me.

Now on to the future!

The month of June is shaping up to be a busy one!

On June 6 through the 8th, the Annual Chefs Net Conference will be held at the University of Southern California Campus. Watch for upcoming details about this event! I am looking forward to attending and would like to thank them for their support of the CCAC.

On Wednesday, June 8, 2016, U.S. Foods La Mirada Division will be holding their annual food show at the Anaheim Convention Center. Please mark your dates and plan on attending to show support for one of our generous benefactors.

On Sunday, June 26, 2016, will be the Annual Multi-Chapter Chefs Picnic at Laguna Nigel Regional Park.

This is an outstanding family event, so bring the whole family! All we ask is a $5.00 per person donation, which goes for student scholarships. We provide all of the food and drink, so you can come and have a good time! Last year we had 7 chapters represented! This year so far we have 8 chapters committed to being represented! Please bring your family and be a part of the celebration.

Please watch for upcoming details.

In July, we will be having the National Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona. Please plan on attending this event. I look forward to dining with you. There will be many exciting things to do, people to meet and seminars to attend. One of our members, Eric Ernst, CEC, will be a presenter.

Also In August we will have a Dinner meeting at USC and Culinary Competition at AI Santa Monica for the Chef Bernard Classic. 15 or more categories and 3 Master Chefs Judging

In August, the Western Foodservice and Hospitality Show will be returning to the Los Angeles Convention Center. We urge you to attend. Additionally, we are hoping to have a CCAC/ACF Booth there again this year! Please try to find time to help us man the booth.

A couple of last things!

1) Please consider hosting an upcoming CCAC Meeting at your location. Please contact myself and Chef Joseph Gillard concerning holding a CCAC Meeting at your location.
2) Thanks for reading and I am looking forward to seeing you at the upcoming events!

Respectfully yours,
Robert Phillips CEC, CCA, AAC and CCAC President

Congratulations to Charles Carroll, CEC, AAC, New President of Worldchefs