Did we re-set the standard for a Regional Conference, or what? I can not tell you how proud I am of all of you, each one of you who went way beyond your limits to make this 2001 Odyssey the pride of ACF (not here in Rochester alone.) We promised and you delivered the goods .... Kudos Team!

This will surely be the NEW STANDARD on which the ACF builds their Conferences and Conventions. Of course, along with your assistance we could not have even begun this adventure with out the vision and foresight of Mike Vasile, CEC, AAC and Paul Healy, CEC, AAC Co chairs of the event. A simple thank you is really all we can offer them for the countless hours of work ... the taxes, phone calls, mailings, personal contacts, endless meetings with every one in the world! And still they, like you, managed to run their kitchens and not skip a beat .... amazing!!

Me? I just sat back, mostly, did some menial tasks to help, put together the Academy Dinner and accepted all the accolades! (Of course, I did accept them all on your behalf, in my never to be humble way!)
Someday, I wish each you have the opportunity, if you want it, to serve as a chapter president. I also wish that your chapter were as great as ours. Then you will know, in your own turns, what "old" chef Don is talking about when I use such adjectives as proud, happy, thanks and all that stuff .........
Sometime during this month we will have done an audit of the entire Conference. We will have looked at every detail, big and small, reviewing what was special and what was extra special. The "map" will be re-read and the adventure re-lived, minute by minute, placed under a preverbal microscope searching for any imperfection and magnify all that was perfect. We will then be ready to present our report to the Regional Vice President, The National Officers and Board with enormous pride befitting the success coming from our modest little chapter through it's member efforts.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have created a memory. After all is said and done, people will remember the Rochester ACF Professionals for who we are: "The first and foremost authorities on cooking in Rochester." The Nation will know who we are, The State will know who we are, the City will know who we are, the County will know who we are, but more, brothers and sisters, We will know who we are, no mistaking it, The Best There Is!
Gilbert and Sullivan, the great English composers of 19th Century Operettas wrote into one song, the question: "If you want to know who we are?      ........... and we can honestly answer: The Pros from Rochester, NY, Sir Arthur Sullivan, The Pros!
This may be the shortest message I write this year, but it is the one that is filled with the greatest joy since becoming a member of this chapter 22 years ago. I am forced to place the blame for my happiness on you, the members for the outstanding excitement I, feel and the tremendous emotion generated by your excellence, devotion and commitment to our ACF Chapter. No prouder "Mikado" ever did existed anywhere with in or outside the empire (of The American Culinary Federation.)