The potluck dinner at our May meeting was a tale of two outcomes. First the food and companionship shared were excellent.  Several good chicken dishes, both hot and cold, great salad and vegetables and a little chili to round it out. This meeting allows a lively conversation that is not always appropriate at our usual meetings. The down side of the event was the number of people who attended. I have to guess that there were other things in members' lives that prevented them from attending. If I were to allow myself to think they don't show-up just because they don't care then the work of your board of directors is folly. We, the elected officials of ACF Rochester try to provide programs, activities and educational experiences in which our members will want to participate. End of negative thoughts…for those who missed it I am sorry, for those who were there…it was fun wasn't it.

  The June meeting will to an extent more than I would wish be filled with the business of running the chapter. An ad-hoc committee, led by Chef Antinore and comprised of he past recipients of the Chef of the Year award who serve on the board, will propose a new criteria for the way we present the award. The major change will be, upon ratification, that the dates of the nomination, cook-off and election will move. I have felt that the fact we elect and announce the winner of the next Chef of the Year award just two months after the current COTY is honored at a dinner shifts the emphasis away from the 'current' COTY.  If, as proposed, the cook-off is in May and the results are not announced until the night of the Chapter President's Ball then our COTY will truly serve a complete year with out sharing the honor with anyone. The exact wording of the changes will be read at the June meeting and published in the Stockpot before a vote at the August meeting.

For the past few years members of ACF Rochester have helped Fairport Schools put on a summer Culinary Camp. For two weeks students from the junior and senior High School spend a week learning some basic techniques of cooking. Unlike some students you meet in classes during the school year these students want to be there and to learn. They must apply and be recommended by a teacher to participate. They listen and apply themselves to the day's tasks. I was so proud to be your President when I sent an e-mail and with-in twenty four hours filled all the days need to staff this year's event.  When we can do a service to our community our members step forward.

Chef Cunliffe, CEC is well into the process of planning this years COTY dinner. We have reserved the Hospitality House in Penfield as our location. The VIP invitations are mailed and tickets and invitations should be ready by the June meeting (another good reason to attend). Brad Yearwood has volunteered to be Chef d' cuisine. The date is Sunday September 17, 2006. We are moving the time to 5:00 cocktails and 6:00 dinner to try to get everyone hone earlier this year. Those who wish to be a member of the brigade please contact Brad either by e-mail at Sergeant@acfrochester.org or by phone 585-924-6464.
This is the jewel in the crown of our yearly calendar. Please do all you can to make it a great night. If you only go out and sell tickets, and then buy two yourself, you help fund your chapter. I have never heard a member say that the time they spent cooking at a COTY dinner was not time well spent. I know it is giving up a day off but it is also a chance to work with friends and learn a trick or two from your fellow chapter members. Why just last year Mike Vasile learned that waffle irons have on/off switches.

Chef Laughlin, our vice president is still working on a road trip to the New York Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua and a night at Pae-tec Park. More as details are finalized.

Last August in place of our usual meeting we joined Foodlink at the Savor Rochester event at the Public Market. This year the date is September 18. That Monday is the day after the COTY Dinner. The board of Directors has decided to pass on our direct participation as a chapter. I would, however encourage all of you who can to either go from your own business or to attend the event and spread the good word about ACF membership. 

I hope to see you at the June meeting, remember there is now July general meeting.

Chef Paul

"One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating." ~Luciano Pavarotti