It's been while since we had a little communication, but it's time now
that we did. Sometimes I say we, when it's obvious it's me
communication with you.sorry it's a "mass mailing," but that's the ways
of the new millennium!

Shame on you if you are not registered for the 2004 ACF Convention! It
is shaping up to a great event offering us the continuing momentum to be
the standard bearer for cooks all over the globe. President Edward
Leonard, CMC and others have worked skillfully to secure the best there
is to offer education and motivation to each of us as we observe the
various presenters and demonstrators "do their thing" for us. Aside from
the intense educational portions of this (and all conventions) we will
have the time and pleasure of enjoying the company of friends from the
past, present and make new acquaintances to count among the precious
"diamonds" in our lives.

This will be at the Convention where those men and women who aspire to
be ACF leaders will "throw in their toques" and accept nominations for a
board position, either in the ACF or the Academy. Well, there has been
some politics begun. The vying for position has started as rippling
under currents of a stream building to merge with great rivers of ideas,
promises, credential slinging and all that it might take to win a place
on one board or the other. We should watch, and listen to these ripples
and separate the good from the not-so-good. We need to be able to
recognize the sharks unseen and beware of their bite.

This convention will set the tone of this year's candidate's attitudes.
We will see what each person "is made of" we will also see what they
have to offer the ACF and Academy. We will see if they will continue on
the success we are enjoying and add their collective experiences, wisdom
and creativity to the forward "march" of the American Chef, Cook, Baker
and Educator in the world arena. Every person who seeks office
undoubtedly has some thing to offer. But beware the sheep in wolf's
clothing! I, for one, have been around for a very long time in the ACF
and have witnessed the wolf we place in charge of the flock nearly
destroying the entire herd!

Here in New York State, we have witness a great forward and upward
movement of the ACF and Academy under the leadership of Chef Edward, We
have been the proud State who presented the likes of Chef Fritz, Chef
Metz, Ryan and other to serve. Our neighbor from Ohio, Chef Jim Taylor
has served well as our current ACF vice president, our neighbors from
Pennsylvania, Chef Tom Macrina, from New Jersey, Chef John Minniti and
our friend Mark Wright, from Buffalo serving as a capable guardian of
our treasury. We must not let these leaders fall into the shadows of
the ACF. It is up to us, like it or not, like them personally or not,
to keep the momentum, keep the engine filled with fuel, build the steam
that will fuel (keep) "The Team" at the throttle today as we forge to
even greater heights and accomplish bigger things in our ACF while
building on what Chef Leonard has already established.

Even before the nomination process takes place, we must set our minds,
hearts and sights on Jim Taylor, for president, Mark Wright for NE
Regional Vice president and keep the M & M team in place for the beloved
Academy of Chefs.that's Minniti & Macrina, in case you didn't get the M
& M thing! These men will, I know, be OUR representatives at the
national level. I know they will work for US putting [most] of their
agendas aside. You must understand, however, with out a personal
agenda, no leader can truly lead. They have to have a brain filled with
new, creative ideas which are doable and will benefit the entire
organization they serve.but if it is a clumsy agenda or played our, old
time fantasy, know it will not serve the ultimate purpose of, or the
philosophy of the federation they have been elected to serve. None of
these men are afraid to speak out for or against matters that concern
each and every one of us. Those who "do business" in dark, quiet
corners initiate boomeranging effect and thrust the ACF backward in time
and accomplishment and make any road to recovery a long difficult path
to tread. It will become necessary to re-track our collective steps to
get back on the road that we're so much enjoying now. Have you noticed
there is very little back stabbing and negativity around any more? WOW!
Even I settled down. Why? Because we have leadership.

Remember, we will not elect anyone to office by a show of hands. If
anyone of these men would not be your choice because of a friendship.not
to worry, we are a republican form of government and each member has a
private and anonymous vote. It is by these silent ballots that we can
vote or conscious and not be afraid of being "found out" or cause hurt
feelings along the way. We must employ the same wisdom this election
year as we have the recent past bring to the ACF President's desk a
person who will be Presidential, and a AAC Chairman who lead as a
Chairman should: for the membership!

There will be an educational FORUM once gain this fall..November will be
the month, and Chef Tom Macrina will host once again at the Desmond
Hotel and Conference Center in Malvern, PA. There will be more on this
subject (post Convention).but please plan to attend. It's offers a lot
at a small cost.

I'll be looking forward to seeing many of you at Convention in Orlando
on the 16th through the 21st..Got Questions, write me or see me in
Florida.

[Here's a first: There are just 1021 words written here and only 2
pages. A record!]

Chef Don Antinore, CEC, CCE, AAC
ACF - NYS Coordinator