Arizona Food Service Network

ACFAZ, AAC/Presidents Awards Dinner

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The ACFAZ held an American Academy of Chefs/ Presidents Awards Dinner on January 21, 2109 at Mirabel Golf Club executed by Executive Chef Bruce Christensen and his staff of Mirabel Golf Club.

Here is the Album from the event.


The evening started at 4 PM which gave attendees time to socialize and a chance for me to grab a few sun set pictures. What a beautiful place, great people, and the food was pretty amazing.

I had the vegetarian meal which for the entree was a roasted turnip and it was so good, I’m going to give it a try myself one day. Topped with the Citrus Fennel Salad, I really enjoyed it.

The Pommes Dauphine were outstanding. The world would be a better place with more of those in it. So tasty, we all would have eaten more. My whole meal was fantastic and so was the wine for my favorite form the Forth Course was the Run Babas and the Madeleines were especially good as well.

The winner of the 2018 ACFAZ Chef of the Year is Chef Gary Waldie, CEC, CEPC, CCE, AAC. Learn more about Chef Gary Waldie here. He does many things to help support the chapter and our community, well deserved.

The Purveyors of the Year are Southwest Gas and Capistrano’s Bakery for all their support of the ACFAZ throughout the year. Both have hosted meetings and Capistrano’s Bakery, always happy to sample and donate product. We are grateful for the support.

Hannah Laqua accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on behave of her husband, Chef Eric Laqua with two of their daughters there as well.

Will need to update this post once I get a list of vendors that donated product that helped make this dinner a success.


James Beard Foundation Crowns Award Winners

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On Monday (4.7), the stars of the hospitality community gathered at Chicago’s Lyric Opera House for the annual James Beard Foundation Awards ceremony. New Orleans’ Cure took home the medal for Outstanding Bar Program, Charleston’s FIG won Outstanding Wine Program, and Miljenko Grgich was honored as Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional. Read on for the full list of winners.

Source: James Beard Foundation Crowns Award Winners

Spotlight on Success Local Heroes Awards

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The ONE Community Spotlight on Success, Local Heroes Awards Ceremony applaud ONE Community LGBT and allied business and community heroes for their commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality for all Arizonans.

This luncheon celebrates LGBT History, our present LGBT and allied business leaders, their commitment to community and ensures a brighter future for the LGBT and allied community through our raffle program prior to and during the event which benefits the ONE Community Foundation.

James Beard Foundation 2018 Awards

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JBF is now accepting entries for the 2018 James Beard Awards.  Here is the link to the submission forms and more information about the awards.

Here’s the press release.

The submission deadlines are:

  • Restaurant and Chef Awards: December 1, 2017
  • Book Awards: December 8, 2017
  • Broadcast Media Awards: January 3, 2018
  • Journalism Awards: January 3, 2018
  • Restaurant Design Awards: January 26, 2018

2018 Awards and Competition Applications – Deadline to submit is Sept. 30

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The American Culinary Federation is taking applications for 2018 awards and competitions at 2018 Cook. Craft. Create. ACF National Convention & Show July 15-19 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans in New Orleans, LA.

Deadline to submit is Sept. 30.

Information about hotel and travel here.  FAQ’s about the events here.

ACFAZ Chef of the Year Brunch, May 21

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2017 ACF Chef’s Association of Arizona Chef of the Year Brunch
to honor our Chef of the Year

Sunday May 21, 2017
10 am to 2 pm

Embassy Suites Phoenix  Biltmore
2630 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016
$30.00 per person

TO RSVP Click HERE and send us an email

We will then contact you

for your
credit card information

Menu for the Event

Fresh Orange Juice
Starbuck’s Coffee & Tea ServiceFresh Fruit Display With Seasonal Berries
Assorted Pastries To Include Scones & CroissantsSmoked Salmon Bruschetta
Eggs Benedict With Canadian Bacon
Quiche Florentine
Hickory Smoked Bacon
Potatoes O’Brien

StarChefs Colorado Rising Stars Awards + Tasting Gala

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The fist ever class of StarChefs Colorado Rising Stars will be showcased on Tuesday, April 25th at City Hall with an Awards Ceremony at 6:30pm, followed by the Tasting Gala from 7:15pm – 9:30pm. The walk-around tasting gala gives attendees the opportunity to experience food + drinks from Colorado’s top up-and-coming chefs, pastry chefs, artisans, bartenders, and sommeliers in one location, for one night only.

General Admission tickets are $185 per person. VIP tickets are $125 and include a private, pre-awards VIP Reception brimming with caviar & Cava, beginning at 5:45pm. StarChefs is proud to donate a portion of proceeds to Work Options for Women.

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COLORADO RISING STARS AWARD WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED MONDAY 4/4 with 5280 Magazine — stay tuned!

Fresh Start Gala

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Guests of the 21st Annual Fresh Start Gala will be greeted with a cocktail reception and treated to a gourmet dinner, incredible live entertainment, dancing, and an inspirational Founders’ Award presentation. Proceeds from the Gala benefit the programs and services offered at Fresh Start Women’s Foundation.

For more information, please contact Amanda Schmidt at aschmidt@fswf.org or (602) 261-7140 or visit https://www.freshstartwomen.org/event/fresh-start-gala.

Rust Belt Rising Stars Tasting Gala + Awards Ceremony

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After tasting with 130 restaurants in Cleveland, Detroit, and Pittsburgh, StarChefs has selected 21 #RustBeltRisingStars Award Winners! Join us in celebrating the top up-and-coming chefs, pastry chefs, bartenders, artisans, and sommeliers from the region.

The newest class of Rising Stars will be showcased on Wednesday, December 7th at The Westin Cleveland Downtown’s Orchid Ballroom with an Awards Ceremony at 6:30pm, followed by the Tasting Gala from 7:15pm – 9:30pm.

The walk-around tasting gala gives attendees the opportunity to experience the Rust Belt’s top chefs & restaurants with beverage pairings and cocktails by our winning sommeliers and bartenders, in one location, for one night only.

General Admission tickets are $85 per person.
VIP tickets are $125 and include a private VIP Reception featuring a Northern Divine Caviar and Cava tasting, beginning at 5:45pm.

31st Annual Sterling Awards

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As the Chamber’s marquee event, the Sterling Awards embody the spirit of our organization by celebrating the people and companies that make our community a great place to live, work and play.

The prestigious Sterling Award is one of the most coveted business awards in the Valley, with a rigorous application, judging and selection process. Four teams of 6 judges each conduct an initial review of all applications and narrow the field to three finalists in each category. Once the finalists are identified, the judging teams visit those companies to conduct a personal interview and get a behind-the-scenes look at the operations. Once that step is complete, each judge independently casts a set of points for the finalists based on their embodiment of the award criteria. The points are tallied and the results remain secret until the day of the event. Only members of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce are eligible to apply for the Sterling Award.