Columbus ACF

An unforgettable evening at the Columbus ACF President’s Awards Gala ✨

From the first course to the final bite, every detail celebrated the talent, passion, and professionalism that make our chapter so special. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees, and thank you to everyone who joined us for a night of great food, fellowship, and recognition.

A special thank you to Zink Foodservice for graciously hosting this year’s gala and helping create such a memorable experience. We’re also grateful to RAK Hospitality Group for their generous donation and continued support of our culinary community.

Swipe through for a look at this year’s incredible menu and some of the evening’s standout dishes. 🍽️

Here’s to excellence, community, and another amazing year ahead.

✨ Who’s coming to the Presidents Gala? ✨

Tag your +1 👇

Join us April 11 for a night of cocktails, dinner, and celebrating our incredible ACF Columbus community.

🎟️ Grab your tickets here:
👉 https://acfcolumbus.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=110&ts=1772037268

Spots are limited—secure yours before we sell out!

☘️ Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the ACF Columbus Chapter!

Today we celebrate the rich culinary traditions of Ireland — from slow-braised corned beef and cabbage to hearty shepherd’s pie and fresh soda bread.

To all the chefs working hard in kitchens today bringing a little Irish comfort to the table — we salute you. 🍽️

May your mise en place be organized, your service smooth, and your day filled with great food and good company.

Sláinte — the Irish toast meaning “to your health!” 🇮🇪

👨‍🍳 Chefs — what’s your favorite Irish dish to cook or eat? Tell us in the comments!

👩‍🍳 Happy International Women’s Day from Columbus ACF!

Today we celebrate the women who lead, teach, mentor, and inspire throughout the culinary world. Your passion and dedication help shape the future of our industry.

💜 Tag a woman chef, student, or mentor who has inspired you in the kitchen!

👏 Columbus Chefs – help us celebrate our students!

Yesterday, two of our local programs proudly represented our chapter at the ACF Northeast Regional Competition, and we could not be more proud of their performance.

🏅 Tri-Rivers Career Center
• Student Chef of the Year
• Student Pastry Chef of the Year

🏅 Columbus State Community College
• Hot Foods Team

All competitors earned Silver Medals, a tremendous accomplishment that reflects the dedication, training, and passion these young culinarians bring to the craft.

These competitions take countless hours of preparation, mentorship, and teamwork. Congratulations to the students and the chef instructors who supported them along the way!

👏 Join us in congratulating these future chefs!
Tag a student, chef instructor, or program that competed so we can celebrate them together.

Columbus ACF Chapter Update

Our March Chapter Newsletter has officially been sent to member inboxes.

Inside this month’s update:
• Award nominations are now open (Deadline: March 25)
• Details for the Presidents Gala – April 11
• Competition and volunteer opportunities
• Chapter and community updates

Be sure to check your email so you don’t miss what’s happening across the chapter.

Know a chef who deserves recognition this year? Tag them below!
It’s a great time to start thinking about nominations for Chef of the Year, Student of the Year, and the ROAR Award.

If you didn’t receive the newsletter, please reach out to [email protected] so we can make sure you’re on the list.

Stay connected. Stay involved.

Valentine’s Day Chef Tip ❤️
When making a pan sauce for steak or chicken, deglaze with wine or stock and whisk in cold butter at the end for a glossy, restaurant-quality finish.

Simple technique. Big impact.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all the chefs working tonight—thank you for giving up time with loved ones to make someone else’s evening special. ❤️

📍 Reminder: Join us Monday at 6 PM in Mitchell Hall for our next ACF Columbus meeting. We hope to see you there!

This Black History Month, Columbus ACF honors the Black chefs whose skill, perseverance, and leadership helped shape American cuisine and our profession as we know it today.

We recognize culinary legends like Edna Lewis whose celebration of seasonal, regional Southern cooking elevated its place in American gastronomy; Leah Chase the “Queen of Creole Cuisine,” who preserved Black culinary traditions while mentoring generations of cooks in New Orleans; and Patrick Clark one of the first Black chefs to lead a major fine-dining restaurant in the U.S. at New York’s Tavern on the Green.

These chefs built pathways at a time when opportunities were limited — yet their excellence was undeniable. Their influence lives on in our kitchens, classrooms, and communities today.

We are grateful for their legacy.

From competitions to community outreach, education to unforgettable events—what a year it’s been. 💙
We’re incredibly grateful for our chefs, students, volunteers, and the sponsors who make our work possible, including Land O’Lakes, Hormel Foods, Blue Ribbon Meats, and our many local partners who continue to invest in our chapter and our future.

Thank you for supporting and strengthening the Columbus ACF family. We can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together in the new year. ✨🥂

Happy New Year’s Eve!

‘The business of feeding people is the most amazing business in the world.’ – José Andrés

Today, we celebrate the chefs who pour their hearts into every dish, teach with passion, and build community through food.

Happy International Chefs Day from all of us at ACF Columbus — honoring those who nourish, inspire, and make a difference every day. 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳