The ACF Chefs Las Vegas is the Las Vegas Chapter of the American Culinary Federation, a nationwide Chef Organization. Our membership is reflective of the many faces the Culinary World tackles here in Las Vegas. Within our roster we have Executive Chefs, Catering Chefs, Educator Chefs, Private Chefs, Pastry Chefs, Room Chefs, Corporate Chefs, Student Chefs and a corps of Associate members who represent all categories of food service supply. We pride ourselves on meeting monthly and networking to accomplish common goals for the association as well as the individual. Our group was founded in 1968 on the principles of fellowship and professionalism, and we value those principles every day.

What We Do

The ACFChefs Las Vegas meets monthly from September through June at various locations throughout Las Vegas. Our meetings review our upcoming events and allow us the time to network with other members through a shared culinary feast courtesy of donations from vendors and prepared by the host chef. Our board of directors conducts the majority of the associations business, and is elected by our membership every two years. Our Chef of the Year dinner culminates our year by allowing us to celebrate the accomplishments of our members.
Over the last year, we donated funds to ProStart, a highschool culinary challenge as well as the Southern Nevada Vo-tech Culinary Program. Opportunity Village hosted a meeting, and we donated all funds collected at the door to this caring organization. Shadetree Women’s Shelter received a generous donation of gifts at Christmas. We also sponsored CCSN’s hot team, freeing them up from fundraising and giving them extra time to practice their skills. Our Associate Advisory board hosts a Christmas Party and a Golf Tournament for our organization. We encourage our members to complete the certification program established by the American Culinary Federation, and sponsor facilities here in Las Vegas to keep the program flowing. This year we established criteria for scholarships for students, and will be honoring lucky recipients with funds for culinary school. You can be very involved in our group, or participate just a little. For those who do involve themselves, many have achieved city and nation-wide recognition by our chapter, the ACF, trade magazines, and of course, employers looking for people who are willing to go the extra step. We are the best Chef Organization in Las Vegas!

WWW.ACFCHEFSLASVEGAS.COM

We started our website two years ago, to offer information about our organization as well as keep members informed about upcoming events. Please take a moment and look over the site, where you will find the history of our group from 1968 to the present. We also have online membership applications, links to the ACF, information on TEAM LAS VEGAS, and our Associate Advisory Board.

Las Vegas Culinary Challenge

It used to be, finding an ACF sanctioned Culinary Competition required a trip to an ACF Regional convention, but for the last 7 years, we have had the honor of hosting our own Culinary Challenge here in Las Vegas. Every year we offer traditional and contemporary categories for all levels of competitors. There is nothing like the thrill of competition, and the prestigious gold medal handed out at the end of an exciting day of plate creations. Our competition is run in conjunction with the Las Vegas Hotel Restaurant Show and brings folks from all over the region to our city for this respected Challenge. Dale Shigenaga heads up the competition and is always available to answer any questions about the event. Email: dale.shigenaga@unlv.edu or call 702-895-3503

Chef For Kids

This is a program that brings out the best in our chapter, as well as the many friends of our chapter. Chef for Kids is the charity we helped create to provide funds for nutritional education in Clark County schools, as well as provide assistance for a variety of needs. The chefs who work closely with this program will be the first to tell you the horror stories of children’s perceptions of the food supply that surrounds their world. When a child is unable to identify a fresh strawberry sitting on a fruit plate or refuses to eat French Toast unless it is formed into a stick or can’t concentrate on studies because there was no breakfast offered in his home, it boggles the mind that children have been allowed to see the world in this way. We help supply school snacks in financially challenged classrooms, we cook Christmas breakfast at Shadetree Shelter every year, we prepare and serve breakfast once a month in some of the poorest neighborhood schools in the Las Vegas area, we donate toys and supplies to children’s organizations, and we raise funds by means of an annual auction and numerous vendor rebates from items we use everyday in our kitchens. Our funds go directly to the children in need. If you are looking for a place to put your time and energy, Chef for Kids is the rewarding charity you’ve been looking for. Chef Kitti Sanderson is the contact for the group. She can be reached at ksanders@usfood.com or 702-636-3663.