The Chefs de Cuisine chapter of St. Louis, Missouri is a great place for chefs to hone their skills and knowledge in a competitive format. Every year, the chapter organizes two culinary competitions approved by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). These competitions are held at the local, regional, and national levels, and are a great way for chefs to test their abilities in a competitive environment.
The ACF also sponsors an annual gala event to celebrate the winner of the Chef of the Year competition. This event brings together former chefs of the year with members of the chapter for a multi-course dinner. In addition to the Chef of the Year award, other awards presented at this event include Junior Chef of the Year, Vendor of the Year, and Restaurant of the Year. Competitions are an important part of the culinary arts, as they help to raise standards of excellence in the industry.
The American Academy of Chefs (AAC), which is the ACF honor society, is dedicated to promoting education among cooks by providing mentorship, scholarships for students interested in pursuing a career in the culinary industry, and scholarships for professional chefs who wish to advance their careers. The AAC represents the highest standards of professionalism in the organization, society, and industry.