It was George and Ira Gershwin who, along with DuBose Heyward, wrote Porgy and Bess in 1934. They started with the classic song that stated "Summertime and the livin' is easy". Well, that might have been true in Gershwin's New York (or was it South Carolina) but it's not in mine.

The restaurant, catering and club business in and around Rochester seems to be doing well. I judge this on my own observations and the number of people who could attend the June meeting. At that meeting the ad-hoc committee on the Chef of the Year criteria presented it's report to the members. I would like to thank the members for their work. Chaired by Chef Don the other members were Van Laughlin, Mike Vasile, John Venturo, and Lisa Cunliffe. These members were chosen as the former recipients who hold a voting seat on your board of directors. I think the first part clarifies the process of becoming eligible. The second half will make the whole election much more interesting. If you are reading this in the STOCKPOT you will find the changes later in the issue. If you are reading this on line see the link on the home page under Chapter News. As per our by-laws the motions will be read again at the August 28, 2006 meeting. They will be subject to amendment and if a majority of the members present vote in the affirmative we will not nominate the next COTY till next year. This will allow Earnie to bask alone in the sun.

At the July Board meeting the members with the help of Dennis Wood, stuffed, addressed and stamped the invitations for this years Chef of the Year Dinner. Again the Members of ACF Rochester were not individually invited. If you need tickets, either for yourself or to sell, contact Chef Lisa Cunliffe. Those wanting to help with the dinner or a station before can contact Chef Brad Yearwood this years Chef d' cuisine.

Five members of ACF Rochester made the trip to a very hot and muggy Philadelphia for our National Convention. Chefs Antinore, Healy, Redmond, Speranza, and Venturo met with famed Philly's like Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross and Rocky. As always there were some wonderful seminars and great people to renew friendships with or to start a new one. There was not any earth shattering changes made at the Board of Governor's meeting. The highlight of the event was being present as Mike Redmond, CEC was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs. Next time you see him congratulations are in order.

Changes are coming to our chapter!! At the September meeting we will nominate members to the 2007-2009 Board of Directors. Our Treasurer, Brad Butler has served his two terms and the office must be passed to someone else. The same is true for Sharon Wood our Corresponding Secretary. John Venturo's three-year term as a trustee will also be vacated.  These offices have to be filled and any of you can run for any chapter office if you are in accordance with our by-laws.

The two other important chapter positions I need to have members step forward to fill are the chair of our Chef and Child committee and editor of the STOCKPOT.  The Chef and Child Foundation is putting together some great new programs and I think Rochester needs to be a part of this excitement. In the past the focus of C&C has wandered. Now the major foci will be children who are under nourished and those struggling with obesity.  Chef DiNapoli has decided that his workload no longer allows him the time to do the STOCKPOT the way it should be done. If you have modest computer skills and the desire to be a vital link in our chapter's lines of communication PLEASE see me, call me or e-mail me.

Please take the time to ask everyone to buy a pair of tickets to the Chef of the Year dinner. Then buy a pair yourself. Or, come and be a part of the Kitchen Brigade at The Hospitality House on September 17. 2006.

Thanks
Chef Paul
Full time Chef
Full time Chapter President
Part time newsletter editor.

"Let the stoics say what they please, we do not eat for the good of living, but because the meat is savory and the appetite is keen." Ralph Waldo Emerson