Are "Pressing issues," facing the food service industry? Now we find ourselves in a puzzling dilemma. The events of 9-11 are just a few weeks behind us and our nation is still in a grieving mode struggling to bring a sense of normalcy back to our lives. Clearly, the issues surrounding our industry will have to take a temporary "back seat" to the reality of the events that shaped our present day world. Solutions will be sought, but not just yet, in a minute, maybe.
    I happened to live in New York City and watched the construction of the World Trade Center. I observed, first hand, the growth of the monster building, floor by floor, as the floors were attached from giant cranes connecting huge steel beams one to another. I marveled at how quickly it grew. In what (seemed then) like a heartbeat, the buildings were complete and the towers took their impressive places as part of the New York City sky line….a permanent structural fixture to be recognized by the whole world as "America at work!"
    Standing at the bottom of the Towers, looking straight up, or standing at the top looking straight down….if you ever have… brought a dizzying sensation, as if they were going to topple. The Towers looked with architectural grace on the majestic New York Harbor and north on all of New York City. It was so impressive and very much ours! The Towers, like the Statue of Liberty, bid welcome to New York and the United States to all people who approached by land, sea or air. Now gone, destroyed by terrorists. Smoldering steel and dust remain where they stood.
    Much has been lost, put on hold and as much will never be recovered. Like many food service professionals, I am filled with questions, fear and trepidation regarding the short term future of our economy, our industry and our associates. How will the downturn affect us, how must we modify our business plans and strategies, how will we keep our associates and employees motivated, what will the future bring in terms of security……not to mention military action? Lots of questions, the list seems endless and no one seems to have the answers.
    But the answer itself, I believe, is really quite simple…..now don't I sound trite(?). If we have learned anything in the time we've been witnessing the heroic efforts of NYPD, the FDNY and others…even our own ACF people in the search and rescue crews work, is that not only will we endure but we have grown stronger! We are, with out question Americans and the real keepers of democracy and freedom throughout the world despite the terrorists ugly attempts to derail our culture.
    Now is the time for all of us to lead. To lead our friends, associates, employees, colleagues and families through this challenging time. As food service professionals and ACF professionals, it is our obligation to move forward and seek new business, new opportunities and better, creative methods of operation. The answer to our questions is to have confidence that we are part of the greatest country on earth. The answer to our questions is to live not in fear but in awe of how fortunate we are to be Americans. The answer to our questions is to stand tall, embrace the challenges of this moment and move forward in a way that demonstrates to the world that we endure.
    ACF is user friendly….belonging says something good about you, your choices in life and how you choose your friends….thanks for belonging. Please invite a friend to join and grow this Chapter and the National American Culinary Federation. We need a quality, involved & active membership. Help generate one. This month, we here in Rochester will be hosting members of the two New York City departments….brave and unselfish men and women who did something great! Let's do something great, too…..our share at being active members of our association doing some good for each other and the City/County and State of N.Y.