In this issue
https://authenticallycle.com/john-selick/
February 2021 
President's Report
Facebook memories told me we met last year at Progressive Field for our first meeting of the year. We packed the Terrace Club with nearly 100 people attending. A few weeks later, we sold out our in person meeting at the Culinary Vegetable Institute. It’s unfathomable to think about what we all have been through since then, so many of us have lost jobs, family and friends due to this global pandemic. It seems that things are finally starting to take a turn for the better, as a vaccine is being distributed, covid cases are trending down, and Governor Mike DeWine’s curfew finally expired last week without being extended. I have optimism that we might be able to host an in-person meeting sometime in 2021.
I want to thank everyone that has been able to maintain their ACF membership, despite not being able to provide the networking, continuing education and certification opportunities we’ve done in the past. I’m happy to report that we are finding ways to get back to normal by offering virtual meetings and a socially distanced ACF Certification Practical on April 30th at LCCC. We are keeping it to six participants, so please sign up on website now if you’re interested.
The importance of certification and mentorship is more important than ever, and Master Chef Gerald Ford will lead this discussion on Monday, February 22nd. RSVP through our website to receive the Zoom Access Code and CEU’s. We will also be raffling off a $50 Gift Card to Cole’s Public House in Amherst. Robby Lucas is the co-owner and one of our members, he’s a Certified Executive Chef and Certified Sommelier and his restaurant won the 2019 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. You must be a ACF Member to be eligible for the raffle, but can visit Cole’s Public House anytime www.colespublichouse.com.
We continue to feed people in need every Tueday at the West Side Catholic Center. ACF members have fed over 4,000 people a delicous hot meal. In January of 2020, new requirments for recertification stipulates that "25% of your CEH must come from volunteer, leadership, or competition activities for all levels except CFC, CFPC, CC, and CPC" and our work at the WSCC will satisfy that. Many of our regular volunteers have started returning to work, and we would love if you could join us.
I finally want to apologize for sending a “Welcome New Member” email to everyone. Our new website is integrated with our email manager and I hit a couple buttons that I shouldn’t have. I need to watch a few more training videos…
John Selick IV, CEC, WCEC, CCA, AAC
President | ACF Cleveland Chapter, Inc
Calendar of Events
The Importance of Certification, Mentorship and Leadership by Gerald Ford, CMC
Monday, February 22nd
Many chefs speak of growth, expanding themselves, and developing their skills as craftsmen, but get lost taking the next step. Certification provides a natural progression through the ranks. When combined with skill verification, certification allows an opportunity to measure your own development and focus your work with purpose to evolve your skillset to the next level. There is often a debate about its value, for me, certification has always illuminated the road to my goal of Certified Master Chef. Constant growth, development, practice & mentorship is what I have found on my journey. In our careers, growth & evolution often take a back seat and become an afterthought. Being a cook is being a craftsman and developing as a craftsman requires constructive feedback from craftsmen who have the skills to pass on. Certification requires mentoring and being a mentee, and helps pave the road to share and pass the torch as we all must in order to keep our industry healthy. The skills developed through certification make us more valuable in our kitchens, our lives, as leaders and mentors. Join the Columbus & Cleveland Chapters as they host their guest Certified Master Chef, Gerald Ford, on Monday, February 22nd for a discussion on certification and mentorship.
Kim Simmons
Monday, March 15th
Fruit Carving by Stephen Baity
Monday, April 12th
ACF Cleveland and Akron-Canton Certification Practical Exam
Friday, April 30th
Lorain County Community College
- ACF approval is required prior to registering for practical exams.
- Register online or by submitting Practical Exam Candidate Registration Form.
- The practical exam fee is $50 for ACF members and $100 for non-members. Test sites may charge an additional host site fee that is payable to the site hosting the exam.
- Practical exam scores are valid for one year.
For Special Accommodations, you must complete the Request for Special Accommodations Form and submit with appropriate documentation. Please allow 45 days for review and approval. Submission does not constitute approval.
Prior to the practical exam date, the test site administrator will contact candidates to confirm test time, host site fee and specific details about the testing facility.
Practical Exam Cancellation Policy
Candidates must cancel scheduled weekday exams within 24 hours of the exam date. Exams on Saturday or Sunday, must be cancelled by close of business on Friday. The ACF registration fee may be transferred to a new test date within six months or will be forfeited. If the scheduled exam is not cancelled within the stated timeframe, registration fees will be forfeited and candidate will still need to pay any host site fees before registering for another practical exam.
In the event of an emergency and a candidate is not able to contact the ACF to cancel, the ACF may request the candidate to provide documentation verifying the emergency.
Practical Exam Retake Policy
There is no waiting period to retest.
Assessment Criteria
The assessment for certification practical testing is divided into four general areas: Safety and Sanitation Skills; Organization; Craftsmanship Skills; Finished Product Skills.
The candidate’s skills are evaluated during the examination period through frequent monitoring by the evaluators. The practical examination is scored overall as pass or fail. Points are calculated in various areas and a total numerical score is calculated. A total averaged score of 75% (75 points) or better is considered passing.
ACF Volunteer Opportunities
Every Tuesday, from 9am until 12:30, ACF chefs have gotten together and help feed people in need at the West Side Catholic Center. So far, ACF chefs have helped prepare 4,000 hot meals!
25% of your CEH must come from volunteer, leadership, or competition activities effective January 1, 2020 for all levels except CFC, CFPC, CC, and CPC.
If you are interested in helping on a Tuesday, please email [email protected]
Every Tuesday
9:00am - 12:30
West Side Catholic Center
3135 Lorain Ave
Cleveland, OH 44113
ProStart Judges Needed
We welcome you to participate in the 2021 Annual Ohio ProStart Virtual Invitational! With hybrid and virtual learning environments in mind, we have added NEW categories and altered the dynamics of existing categories.
There are 3 ways that you can participate:
- INVITATIONAL SPONSORSHIPS Please respond to this email by Wednesday, February 17
For a donation of $250 post-secondary schools that participate as sponsors will be promoted in the following ways:
- In the event program
- Distribute information electronically to teams
- PowerPoint at the Virtual Invitational Awards Ceremony
- www.oraef.org
- SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDS Please respond to this email by Wednesday, February 17
The Ohio ProStart Virtual Invitational recognizes the top (2) teams in each category. Post-secondary schools that provide scholarships will be promoted in the following ways:
- In the event program
- PowerPoint at the Virtual Invitational Awards Ceremony
- www.oraef.org The Virtual Awards ceremony will tentatively take place in April and a representative from your school will have the opportunity to attend.
- COMPETITION JUDGES: Please REGISTER HERE by Wednesday, February 10
If someone you know is interested in judging for the competition, please contact Danielle Bell at [email protected] for more information.
What to expect:
- March 18: Students submissions due – abbreviated written projects and brief videos explaining their entries.
- Tentatively - March 25 - April 4: Student submissions shared with judges. Judging to take place over several days and at your own pace.
- The week of April 16, date to be determined: Winners announced during Virtual Awards Ceremony.
Competition Categories:
- Culinary
- Management
- Burger Battle
- Nutrition
- Eggs All Day NEW
- Cake Decorating NEW
Ohio ProStart program offered over $500,000 in scholarships at the 2020 Ohio ProStart Virtual Invitational and we hope to increase that number this year! Thank you for your time and consideration and we certainly hope you can join us.
PLEASE NOTE There will be a minimum number of teams per category required to register to make this competition possible. If the minimum is not met, the competition is subject to be cancelled.
