Escoffier On Line

I recently attended the American Culinary Federation’s 2011 Southeast Regional Conference held here in Atlanta. I have been to many ACF conferences over the years, some good, some great and others just ok.  From past experience, I arrived somewhat skeptical of the culinary knowledge that I would absorb over the coming days. I really liked the lineup on paper: lots of local cutting edge chefs, timely subject matter such as dealing with Gluten restricted diets and a few fillers thrown in to help pay the bills (for which I can’t fault them).  In fact the schedule read more like a Star Chefs Conference then an ACF event.

I take my toque off to the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the American Culinary Federation and the team at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel for putting together such an amazing conference. This was not your Daddy’s typical ACF conference. I was very impressed with not only the chef presenters and the diverse subject matter presented, but all components including the trade show and special events. There was great knowledge, thought provoking ideas and cutting edge techniques around every corner.

In one of the seminars that I attended, Chef Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene fame played with liquid nitrogen. Volcanic-like plumes of vapor, menacing chunks of frozen hominy and bacon powder flying through the air and the unrehearsed equipment failures all combined to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. It was truly a treat to listen to such an awe inspiring Chef share his philosophy and vision for what he does and believes in. Other highlights for me were Chef Kevin Rathbun's shoot from the hip synopsis of his life’s journey and how he put together his growing restaurant group. He really captured the imagination of the crowd and ran out of time, which rarely if ever happens at one of these events. Of course, there were the ACF Certified Master Chefs doing their own incredible demos, but we have come to expect that as one of the fundamental components of any ACF Conference and it is somewhat oddly taken for granted.

I have come away from this conference with a lot of respect for the ACF and its leaders. Hopefully this conference will serve as a benchmark for all future conferences. If you have not attended an ACF meeting or event in the last year or two, you are missing out on opportunities to learn, network and regain the passion often lost in the daily grind that we all experience.