by Nicole Spano, staff writer

In October, the Culinary Arts Department hosted an event for the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF’s mission is to provide accredited educational programs, certifications competitions, and networking geared toward career advancement for all current and future chefs and pastry chefs. This event included board members from Pikes Peak ACF and guest speakers such as a farmer of young’s pumpkin farm, and a fellow Chef worker of Picnic Basket and Buffalo Gals Catering Businesses of Colorado Springs. Culinary Arts students provided Blackstone Pizza provided and pumpkin cream roll pastries with apple cider and free pumpkins to take home.

ACF President John Jakeman said, “ACF gives students access to the professional side of the industry that you simply cannot get in a classroom alone.” Membership creates early connections with working chefs, local employers, farms, culinary educators, and mentors who can help shape the direction of a young chef’s career.

“College student members of the ACF not only have an opportunity to volunteer, compete and attend workshops but also build their job portfolio and start developing the type of professional network that leads to real
well-paying jobs and long-term advancement”, said Chef Jakeman. “The ACF is not just a club, it’s a professional organization that sits across the entire culinary industry, from entry-level to executive leadership,” he said.

“Moreover, students who join gain exposure to a wide range of pathways, including professional kitchen careers such as pastry cook, sous chef, banquet chef, corporate chef, also essentially ACF offers nationally recognized certifications and apprenticeships. As a Professional Head Chef, who has hired many cooks over the years, when a resume comes across my desk with ACF involvement or progress towards certification, it stands out, and tells me that a student is serious, teachable, and understands what the profession demands.”

If you want to become a member of ACF, speak with your chefs. PPSC students who join the ACF instantly differentiate themselves from the crowd.