June 23, 2008

Dear Culinarians and Associates,
I reflect back over the last year with a glad heart. The chapter had many accomplishments, here are some of our highlights.
We have added educational demonstrations to our monthly meetings. There are new categories in which members can join; this should breath new and diverse membership to our organization. Our scholarship program is going strong; Chef Jean Hertzman chairs this committee and handles the administration. She also chaired the by law committee and after many hours has worked to get our by laws up to date for our chapter. Your newly elected board has many projects on the table for the chapter.
Our chapter will host the ACF National Convention in July. I encourage everyone to participate. ACF has lined up a great program of seminars and demonstrations including a two-day trade show. We need your support to assist with the chapter’s obligation with the national office. We will assist in registration, demonstrations, seminars, trade show and more. Please contact me.
Our student culinarians have a newly appointed board. CSN once again produced an award-winning team to represent our state; they competed at the regional. Chef John Metcalf and his staff put in many hours working with the team for this competition and their efforts paid off with a bronze medal in Salt Lake City. We encourage our culinary schools to develop teams for next years state competition.
The Associate Advisory Board put on another great golf tournament. They also held a new event this spring, The Taste of Downtown. It was well received and we look forward to seeing it become a tradition within the chapter. The board and associate membership are an integral part of this chapter. Their support is a large part to the success of our chapter. Their time and services can sometimes seem overlooked or under appreciated. As the President of this chapter I thank each of you for all you do.
Chefs for Kids had another record-breaking year! The funds raised were made possible by the generous packages the chefs and restaurants donated for our cause. The funds will allow Chefs for Kids to continue the education program, as well as the breakfast and snack program in twelve at risk schools. In addition, we are able to assist many children with individual needs. I can honestly say that I believe that this organization continues to make a difference in the needs of thousands of our local childrens’ lives.
Before I close I would like to add that there are many dedicated people who have done great things for us over the last year. But there is one who I feel cannot go unrecognized. Chef Jean Hertzman’s support and dedication to this chapter have been astonishing. She has been my right hand in many aspects and has gone above the call of duty as our Vice President. Mostly, she has my respect as a chef and educator and someone I feel blessed to call friend. And so Jean, for all this and more, I thank you! In addition I would like to thank Chef Richard Cino and Chef Christopher Johns for being great mentors when I need some advice, you are the best! Lorri Davidson who is such a blessing to many of us, thank you for your time, for hosting our monthly board meetings, and so much more!
And so to each of you most valued members I say this chapter is your chapter, and it takes all of the diversity each of you bring to the table to make us the family we are. I encourage you to bring others to our meetings that may not be members and to contact me with any suggestions or to share your input. I truly value you opinion and thoughts.
I look forward to severing as your president for the 2008-2010 term. The honor of holding the position is certainly one I value. Each of you are truly important to the continued success of our chapter.
Chef Kitti Sanderson
President, ACF Chefs Las Vegas