My Friends and Colleagues,

First things first, as the saying goes.

Please permit me to apologize for offending friends with the curt words in my last letter. Honestly, it was not my intention to, in any way,slander or compromise the good and sincere reputations of elected officers or members of the ACF, least of all "THE TEAM." I wrote downmy thoughts but selected words and phrases in admittedly poor taste that were harsh, to say the least, and not really what I had in mind too say.I hastily pressed the "send key" on my computer's e-mail with out re-reading the text. Mistake! Oops!! I definitely expected some replies and even reprisals in return mail for my thoughtless impatience. Oh well, C'est la vie. It's done and I can't crawl out of this mess too easily.

Since my last letter, our TEAM USA earned the merits they deserved and worked so hard for and the kudos of the culinary world. I know you all know the results of the Olympics, but we should never tire of reading them again and again, no matter who's pen write the words! I am so glad that the fear some of you fostered since my letter was untimely and might cause doubt or discouragement for the US Culinary Team..see, in spite of the letter, they earned the GOLD.BEST IN THE WORLD in hot foods. Now that's a focused, kick-butt team! Not only should the ACF members be proud of our TEAM, the entire nation should be thrilled that such a unified team of professionals could prevail such as they did in Germany against the best 37 countries of the world (minus France.) Bravo! Go Team!! The world shared our victory in Germany and we should continue in that spirit here at home. Same hold true for our Junior Team who showed their stuff to the world, with a silent caution saying "watch out, we're-a-comin'." That leads me to the next question.

Maybe someone out there can tell me why, with an honor such as this win, underscoring the integrity, hard work and guts of the American cook, we are not on every national TV talk show, network news, foodie magazines, etc.? In my never-to-be-humble opinion, we are as important a component of American life styles as the athletes who competed in Athens last summer. The years of training and intensity, let along the expense and sweat suffered by the culinary team members as they orchestrate ever recipe and work as smoothly as a well tuned Stradivarius is no less vigorous than the "work-outs" and perfecting a perfect high jump, swim stroke or volley ball spike. Please feel free to answer this question via return mail if you have an answer..I'd like to know why, and I'm sure Brent Frei would like some means to break into the media on our behalf. Now, this leads me to my next thought.

Chef Leonard has devised a business plan and holds a vision for the ACF that is more creative that any president who preceded him. Each ACF president had something of value to offer. That's why we're a strong Federation. However, these business initiatives our president has
proposed and developed with the help and advise from the sitting ACF National Board of Directors seems to me as practical and an inventive plan that will work.eventually. Good things do take time and everything in life is a "work in progress."

Edward and the National Board have put into motion a marketing initiative, as if they had nothing better to do, as a component of this business plan. Marketing has always been a weak link in our ACF program, as far as I'm concerned. Sure, there have been glitches. Credible agencies have been engaged to perform marketing on our behalf.studies (that cost money and time) have not proven to be any value to the ACF. They were the wrong fit for us, so we sent them on their way. Not that they were doing a bad job, it was just not what the board felt we needed. They were not moving forward on the anticipated schedule set forth by the board. We now have Brent Frei who has taken on the job of public relations and marketing. He's doing well. But he needs help, our help! (who doesn't need help?) No, we can't do his work for him, but we can be major contributors to his efforts. How? By engaging the local media in our towns. Let them know, every chance what the ACF chapters, member or National is doing. Tell what charities we're supporting, how we understand and feed hungry kids, how we support "food banks" and volunteer to cook on holidays for the needy people in our neighborhoods. In this we get our name out there and if we're persistent, someone, somewhere will notice us and bring us to the forefront on the national scene. I assure you, with our help, Brent will get us before the American public and tell our story.

It's no secret, we must become better communicators. Communication is the master key that will open those locked doors we're always complaining about. We need to tell the world, out side of our own coral what we're all about. Here's a for instance: When Chef Pitz was elected National ACF President we was not an orator. Knowing that he needed to be the voice and communicator for the ACF membership, he worked at it and succeeded. He's now a good public speaker with poise and grace before his listeners. Chef Edward was also shy before an audience. It's not easy to talk to a formally seated crowd of listeners...but he over came his obstacle and can skillfully convey any message he wishes to anyone who'll listen. Communication! E-mail, letters, print media, before a camera or microphone, if we want it to be
known, it's up to us to share it. Let Brent know what you have submitted to your local media people.yes, it can be overwhelming, but Bent won't care (I think) because he may have a national story from your home grown, home spun activity.

In addition to Brent, "we" finally hired a "dynamite" Executive Director. The board did it's homework (this time) and looked at ever
candidate with the care and scrutiny of a scientist, whittled down the crowd to a few good people and selected the person they felt would and could do the most for the ACF members collectively. Dawn stands in no-one's shadow! She has the understanding of how this federation should be operating and brings expert experience, aggressive know-how and wisdom to the table. She is a lady full of ideas and the expertise to make those ideas work. I find Dawn to be visionary, someone who sees us in a professional, outside-the-box perspective. She sees our weakness and our strengths and can address them with equal vigor. Recognizing these diverse and sometimes abstract components of the ACF, it becomes easier for her (and the board) to tweak them in the direction that will solidify them and make them doable projects, or what ever. We all know, weather Master Chef or student cook, that we can be very vague and sometimes strange "thinkers." In these cases, it takes a "civilian" to sort out what's good and apply that to the formula for success. Isn't that why we have sous chefs?

Again, I have gone on a little long (but not for me.I have a lot more to share) so I'll close with a prayer that each of you is Blessed with a very happy Holiday season and that you and those you love enjoy good health, happiness and love now and through the New Year. This is Reyhan, my wife's and my sincere wish for you. And as Chef Edward might say.."have a flavorful day!"

Fraternally,
Chef Don