October 18, 2001
Members:
On September 11, our United States were assaulted by fanatics bent on creating terror and chaos among our citizens. Their target was the World Trade Center in New York City, first, followed by an attack on “The Pentagon” in our Nation’s Capitol, Washington, DC and a hijacked commercial plane was defended by brave passengers in western Pennsylvania at the peril of many passengers, whom I guess understood their pending fate!

In the attack, as you all know, many people were killed and injured. God grant them Eternal Rest, Peace and comfort. Many businesses were destroyed or, because of the terrorist act, forced out. The employees of these businesses have been “put out” of work. Many of the unemployed are foodservice people, many of the people killed or injured were foodservice workers leaving their families with no income. This situation is not uncommon among foodservice employees, unless they’re lucky and have benefits…health, accident and death benefits for self and family.

Learning, as all Americans did, by news reports and television coverage of the tragedy, it was apparent to me that the ACF in New York State needed to get involved in the tremendous task of preparing and serving meals. That’s what we do, and now is when we needed to do it. Help and concern were needed and we are the authorities most able provide it.

Last July, Jim Taylor appointed me New York State Rep. I thought this would be a nice “walk in the park” kind of job…NOT! The situation in New York fell squarely and instantly on my shoulders and I re-acted. I called several Chapter Presidents in our great state and asked them for help. Their response was overwhelming! They, in turn, looked to their members who responded immediately offering their time and talent, and delivered with haste and determination doing what they could in New York City to make life at “Ground Zero” a little more friendly through food.

As far as I can determine, not so easy with so much going on, 61 men and women from ACF New York State and beyond assisted in the preparation of over 5,000,000 meals according to The American Red Cross accounting. Of course, it was not ACF alone who performed service to the rescue workers, it was the culinarians at all levels of our profession, near and far who did their part…Master Chefs of ACF and culinary students pitched in, side by side, as best they could, restaurant kitchens opened their doors to our efforts. The Spirit of New York tour “boat” provided an on site kitchen & dining “decks” for countless streams of men and women on two levels. We assumed all manner of tasks, big and small, and, as always got the job done. I was very proud of the ACF teams in New York who participated as well as the other folks who “jumped in” and gave their all to help. On the many visits I made (both to help in the kitchens and assist Red Cross organize the “shifts”) I heard only raves about the professional skills in production, organization and kitchen management by ACF members (who announced themselves or wore ACF identifying patches indicating their membership or certification levels….) during the time they were in service aboard ship.

Of course, we had tremendous support from Ed Leonard, CMC, AAC, our National President as well the National Office Staff…Mike Baskette, Bev Stuart, Terri Pittaro…. just everyone there were great. Jim Taylor, CEC, AAC, our Regional Vice President was there for us every step of the way. His support and encouragement was outstanding. His offers to be here in any capacity to help out, or “cheer” us on, or what ever, to make the New York State Chapters’ effort less stressful or depressing proved we elected the right person for the job. Everyone proved professional ACF leaders. Bravo, Jim, Ed and everybody at our national “headquarters.”

ACF Members from as far away as California expressed their sadness because of their inability to assist here, in NYC, with what ever might be needed. A long time ACF member sent along a personal check of $100 just because…A young chapter president from Oregon all but insisted he come help…thanks, guy. The entire chapter membership from St. Louis, MO…. WOW! What a bunch of champions these Chapter people are! The members there did so much to support us. Their prayers made a huge impact and honest concerns with lots of love lifted us “up” so many times as we went about our business. They were, through their President, in constant contact, I mean early day and late night e-mail contacts, offering help at every juncture. Recently they passed the “hat” at a chapter meeting and collected $1000 for the “Windows of Hope” fund established to assist foodservice worker/survivors in New York and beyond affected by this tragedy. A couple Ohio Chapters sent along checks. Thanks Cleveland and Columbus. South Carolina contributed a check and personnel, Thanks guys! My Lord, look who else were there (far as I know for sure): New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Mass., Conn, Mich. Indiana. Oh so many, many people came to the aid of New Yorkers, pitched in and did their share. The culinary students from everywhere were beyond belief….Did they work? That’s not the word for it. Many Master’s taking directions from young inexperienced cooks, high profile “celeb chefs” doing dishes and pots….what harmony among our people (ain’t cooks a breed?) when the music needed to be perfect…everyone contributed, playing their parts flawlessly & in tune with our program. Amazing.

I would be remiss if I didn’t give special note to Chef Gerry Murphy. This man helped (for lack of a better term) the NYS Chapters and me beyond belief. He organized and put into action the multi-function “stuff” which needed addressing and implementation. Gerry’s organizational skills proved invaluable during this time. He drove to Albany from NYC on a Sunday afternoon to meet with several active New York State people to share and brainstorm…. and he brought with him, Chef Lutz Lorenetz, Vice President of the BIG APPLE Chapter. Lutz, a great & quiet man can move mountains. (He has an accepted an important assignment….more later on this GREAT development) We need such men as Lutz and are super lucky to have him aboard. Also, Dr. Noel Cullen, Ed.D, CMC, AAC…immediate past ACF National President attended our meeting, giving up his Sunday. His contributions to our brainstorming session were also very important. Dr. Cullen is privy to the “inside story” at ACF headquarters while he listened he steered us in directions that kept us “out of trouble” (I’m prone to leaping before looking!) keeping us right and in order for what we were intending to introduce and engage. With out giving up privileged information, he guided us with his many years of wisdom serving on almost every conceivable committee ACF has now, had then or ever invented…….thanks Noel for being there for us in this time of need and level headedness. Honest offers from our good leaders, past and present, gave impetus and credence to our efforts and added a measure of high energy to go forward and do this right. There was little room for argument or debate.

Now that “Phase One” is complete, what ever that means, we continue to focus on helping for as long as t takes and do what ever it takes to wrap up this need. Learning about the fund set up by Chef Michael Lomonaco, Exec. Chef at the WTC and Windows on the World Management, we (ACF) sought a way in, offering our help once again. Thanks to Gerry Murphy, and others, I’m sure, situated there in and near New York City, we were able to link ACF to “The Windows of Hope” effort. The ACF National President, Ed Leonard immediately seized the opportunity and surrendered an ACF sponsorship to that effort. So here we are accompanying the symphony of fundraisers, establishing ourselves in giving a hand to our own (for a change) and loving the great feelings we’re experiencing while doing it. More on this as it develops. Be prepared to help! You and your chapter will be asked for it soon.

During the International Hotel/Restaurant Show at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City in the middle days of November, we (ACF) will take the place of the cancelled culinary competitions and prepare meals for 50 guests (at $100 each) on several occasions expecting to have sell outs each of the days we cook. This will be the “kick off” to the efforts each New York Chapter will be asked to establish in their own city/town or village; college, hotels, clubs etc. We want to show every chapter in the U.S.A. that this is a good idea and focuses us, for a change….chef helping chef, finally. We so often need help. Out of work? We’ll help as best we can. Need medical help? We’ll be there somehow for you. House burn down? We’ll help you re-build…get the gist? It is suggested that some of the money generated by these “dinners” be used to help pay for ACF dues for members who cannot pay because of financial constraints or in really tight spots. It’s time we do this for our selves. Remember the idea was born in New York State by the EMPIRE STATE CHEFS! Not my idea, but by all of us working together to see through the difficulties we all share and solve problems….be pro-active, before they become problems. That’s TEAM work, New York Style.

If you have ideas, no matter how wonderful or “crazy” share it with us. It, added to the great number of other wise and foolish ideas will dissolve into a great, functional idea machine benefiting each of us in some nice way sooner or later.

Chef Don in Rochester