What a wonderful dinner our chapter presented. From reception to desert it was a splendid evening. Our thanks should start with the event chairperson, last years Chef of the Year, Lisa Cunliffe, CEC. Her arrangements mad for a smooth operation from beginning to end. The other member who stepped forward and took responsibility for the event was Brad Yearwood, CEC. Brad planned and executed as fine a meal as this chapter has presented. He oversaw the ordering, preparation and plating of the dinner. The next set of names I will bring to your attention are those of Paula Vullo and Randy Smathers. As our hosts for the day they both went above and beyond the level of assistance that could be expected from a property. Randy, we hope you find as great a place to work next year as you have had at the Hospitality House, stop by a meeting some time and consider rejoining. Paula, for the past two years you and your staff have done our association a great service, good luck in collage and your new career path.
  A dinner like the on that honored Earnie Miller, CEC, CCE is a group effort. I preach to the choir when I say that no Chef can do it alone. Brad had some excellent back up. At the reception, our guests could sample pates and terrenes from the hand of Greg Christo, CEC and his program at Rochester Educational Opportunity Center. They could then visit two action stations. Victor Alverez, CC and Michelle Dusett, CC both from the Valley Club staffed the first. They did a seared tuna plate. The other was the work of our treasurer Brad Butler and our Secretary, Lisa Cunliffe, CEC who did a stir-fried chicken in a wonton shell.
Sharon Wood and Jan Streeter expertly handled the duties at the door. Keeping track of the larger groups as they arrive during the reception is a major accomplishment. John Venturo, CEC, AAC jumped in and helped with the 50/50 raffle when the crowd got large. 
The early on site preparations we handled by Bradford, Bradley, Lisa, Randy and your president. There was less to do than one might think mostly due to the hard work of our Chef d' Cuisine. We had plenty of time to get the work done and swap a story or two along the way. I do however, regret that a few younger culinarians were not present to work with this group and benefit from the collected experience. As the day progressed we were joined by Michael Redmond, CEC, AAC and James Newman, CWPC who help move thing along and allowed those of us with "front of the house" duties to change and attend to other details. In addition to those members of the Valley Club Brigade mentioned earlier Michael Shaw and David Kaltenbach also joined us. Thanks from the entire chapter to these individuals for their help.  See the August or September Stockpot for the complete menu.
During the course of the evening Earnie received accolades from the office of Rochester mayor Duffy in the person of Charles Reaves, Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Human Services. Patricia Stevens, Director of Government and Community Affairs, represented the Monroe County executive, Maggie Brooks. As chapter president, I had the honor of reading letters of congratulations to Chef Miller from Congresspersons Slaughter and Walsh. There was a letter from Hillary Rodam Clinton to say kudos to Earnie as well.
We were pleased to hand the traveling COTY trophy to Melva Brown, Ph.D. the Dean/Executive Director of SUNY Brockport REOC who made some heartfelt comments about our Chef of the Year.

The other major award of the evening was the presentation of the Chairman's Trophy. Officially known as The Art Delman Memorial Award for Achievement of Excellence and Industry Partnership with ACF Professional Chefs/Cooks Association of Rochester Inc. it honors the memory of a man who did great things for the hospitality industry in Rochester. It was presented to another man who has also advanced the industry in Rochester, helped raise the level of culinary expertise in Rochester and been a very good friend (and honorary member) of ACF Rochester for many years. That man is Joseph Floreano, CFE the executive director of the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Chairman Antinore you chose well.

We did all this and said good night by 9:00 p.m. I hope that next year at our first President's Award Banquet that even more of you are able to help in the preparations and to join us for dinner.

I would like to highlight the generosity of a former Chef of the Year, Christine Coffee. As winner of the evenings 50/50 raffle she turned half of the winnings back to the chapter in the name of Chef and Child. The board has decided to use this money as the start of a chapter Chef and Child program in one of our local schools. It can be used for food product or other materials in doing a long over due program. Thanks Chris.

I will remind you all that nominations for chapter officers will be reopened at this month's meeting. The election of officers will follow in November our final meeting of the year. Your board of directors is planning something a little different to end the year. More details on that in next month's Stockpot.


Paul

It is, in my view, the duty of an apple to be crisp and crunchable, but a pear should have such a texture as leads to silent consumption. ~Edward Bunyard