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.


Feb. 27, Cactus IFT Happy Hour at O.H.S.O Brewery Arcadia

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The Cactus Section of the Institute of Food Technologies is hosting a Happy Hour networking event on February 27, at O.H.S.O. Brewery in Arcadia at 5:30PM– 8:30PM

Address: 4900 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix.

From the Cactus IFT email blast:

“O.H.S.O is a restaurant, local nano-brewery, distillery, and dog-friendly social hot-spot. They have over 40+ beers on tap as well as wine and house cocktails.

We will be learning the brewing process from O.H.S.O.’s brewmaster, and testing our knowledge with some Brew Trivia. What is better than Food, Fun and Friends?! Your first drink is ON US!

If you find you love it, come back for a Distillery tour and Tasting for two! Info for this can be found on their website.

The fun starts at 5:30 pm, but you can show up any time you’d like!

We hope to see you there!”

Networking with our local food scientist group., the Cactus IFT, and O.H.S.O. Brewery. Great combination. Any questions, please contact the organizer here.


ACFAZ Certification, Art Institute of Phoenix

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September 15 @ 7:30 am – 12:30 pm

Next Certification Exam: Sept. 15Location: Art Institute of PhoenixThe host site fee for this location is $50 and can be paid directly to the test administrator.

Contact the test site administrator for any event details (i.e., start time, fees, etc.)

Start Date:Saturday, September 15, 2018
End Date:Saturday, September 15, 2018
Coordinators:Carlton W. Brooks, CEPC – acf.west.vp@gmail.com (602) 739-5715

If you need to cancel an exam after you have registered, you must contact both the ACF office and the test site administrator within two weeks of the test date. The ACF registration fee may be transferred to a new test date within six months or will be forfeited.

Candidates must cancel scheduled weekday exams within 24 hours of the exam date. Exams on Saturday or Sunday, must be cancelled by close of business on Friday. If the scheduled exam is not cancelled within that timeframe, registration fees will be forfeited and candidate will still need to pay any host site fees before registering for another practical exam.

In the event of an emergency and a candidate is not able to contact the ACF to cancel, the ACF may request the candidate to provide documentation verifying the emergency.Link to event posting on ACFChefs,org

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ChefConnect: Newport Beach

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The Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa will host ChefConnect: Newport Beach, March 18-20. If you’re a chef exploring new ideas and flavors, a student looking to gain experience or a foodservice professional keeping atop the latest and greatest, we’ve got plenty of educational and networking opportunities for you. Early registration deadline is Nov. 15.

Register by Oct. 1 to qualify for the ACF payment plan by calling the events team at1-800-624-9458. You’ll be entered into a drawing to win an excursion plus dinner for two in the host city.

Thrive! SmallBIZCON

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Early Bird Ticket includes Kick-Off Event + Parking (first 20) + VIP Pavilion Access (SALE ENDS SOON)

Members: $25
Non-Members: $35

THRIVE! SmallBIZCON is an action packed one-day event that’s all about standing out and building a thriving business. This year we’re giving 350+ attendee’s front row access to leaders in business development, marketing, finance, social media and technology, with special break-out sessions focused on professional growth and a few fun surprises!

From our pre-conference kickoff to our killer happy-hour party, THRIVE! SmallBIZCON provides you with endless opportunities to network with fellow attendees, sharpen your business skills and get exposed to innovative ideas.

Learn from an amazing group of inspirational speakers! Our interactive sessions are designed specifically to have you leaving with strategies that you can implement immediately!

THRIVE! CONFERENCE is a LOCAL Must-Attend Event – Reserve Tickets Early!

#DONTKILLMYTHRIVE

Interested in attending for FREE as an ASBA Team Volunteer? Contact Ashley Vizzerra (avizzerra@asba.com)

WCR in Calgary- People, Passion and Purpose

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People, Passion and Purpose… The Pathway to Success – focuses on an exciting day where attendees will be part of discussions, workshops and events with some of the brightest minds in the industry, from back and front of the house to agriculture and media. Inspiring guest speakers and panelists include Chef Meeru Dhalwala, Chef Elizabeth Falkner, Chef Nicole Gomes, Chef Betty Vasquez and Vintner Angela Maculan. Join us as we Eat, Drink and Connect with colleagues and friends. For more details: https://womenchefs.org/calgary-2017/

Cactus IFT Annual Kick-Off Event, Sept. 21

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The Annual Cactus IFT Kick-Off Even is scheduled for September 21, 2017 and will be held at The Yard/Culinary Dropout in Tempe.  This meeting kicks-off the Cactus IFT calendar year and one that really covers what the organization has done the prior year, the goals for the next year, learn more about the IFT, learn more about each other through introductions, and networking.

Free appetizers, cash bar.

Register here.

WCR Portland Plug-In

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Come mingle with amazing culinary talents of women chefs in Portland! Program details: Having your cake and eating it too: Intellectual Property Protection for Chefs and Restaurateurs. This talk will explore the potential intellectual property assets of chefs and restaurateurs and how best to protect them. We will provide an overview of trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets, including how they differ in coverage, cost and acquisition, and provide examples of how they can be used to protect your business or brand. Entrance is Free. Cocktails and Appetizers available for purchase
RSVP: To dsinger@pcfruit.com by August 10, 2017.

Take a Break From Your Desk & Have Lunch with NACE

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CVB Panel!!

Join us this month for a luncheon meeting at Mountain Shadows. We will have the opportunity to learn what CVBs in local areas are doing, how they contact vendors, and how they are making those who are visiting the wonderful state of Arizona a magnificent place to host their event.

During this meeting we will get the information needed on how we can make ourselves, and what we do to make an event even better available for those in search of our services.

Body Messaging – SCORE of Greater Phoenix

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Please join Dr. Ilyne Kobrin as she presents the Principles of Body Messaging program for SCORE of Greater Phoenix. During this informative workshop she will discuss:

-Body messaging, the unintentional signals your body projects
-Body language including cultural sensitivities
-Mindfulness

Participants will learn simple techniques to be an effective communicator, to strengthen relationships, and so much more as she engages attendees in discussion and practical exercises.