Springfield Branson ACF

Way to go Leong's Asian Diner !

3rd Hour of TODAY Tries Local Bites in Springfield, Missouri TODAY’s Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer, and Laura Jarrett get a taste of Springfield, Missouri, by bringing together some of the city’s best restaurants to serve up their signature dishes. They try bites like the Victoree ribeye from Retro Metro, Springfield style cashew chicken from Leong's Asian Diner...

This coming Thursday, April 30, catch local celebrity chef Wing Leong of Leong's Asian Diner on NBC 's The Today Show , as part of the Route 66 Centennial celebration. Tune in!

Hey all! Just wanted to remind you about tomorrow night's General Meeting, April 2026 at Leong's Asian Diner. Chef Wing will feature scallops in his educational segment, and we will also see Mike Burris with the MO Restaurant Association and Louis Medlock with 417 Ice Carvings. Plus we have information about upcoming events and other chapter business, including revisions to our Student and Educator of the Year awards. Meeting starts at 6pm, and please RSVP on the event page! Our meeting hosts would appreciate that 😀

Join us for the next ACF meeting on Monday, March 23rd at 6:00 PM at Mission University.
Chef Lou Rice will be hosting with an exciting demo on tofu and talk about restrictive dietary needs like alpha gal, gluten free, vegan, lactose intolerance and more. Also at the meeting will be special guest, Della Rice, a family owned rice producer out of Brinkley, Arkansas. Join us for some good food, education, and conversation!

Name:
Susanne Hill

Current Board Position:
Treasurer

Current Place of Employment:
Cox Medical Center Branson

Tell us about you:
I was born and raised in Southern California. With a Korean mother and an American father, I was surrounded by bold, international flavors from the very beginning. Food was always more than just a meal in our home—it was culture, connection, and creativity.

I’ve been happily married for 26 years and am blessed with three beautiful daughters and three wonderful grandchildren who continue to inspire me every day.

Although computers were my first passion, life eventually led my husband and me to Missouri, where I unexpectedly discovered my place in food service—starting as a dishwasher. One opportunity led to another, moving from inventory to dietary work to cooking. Along the way, I realized how much I truly loved being in the kitchen and how deeply passionate I was about dietetics.

I later stepped into a supervisory role, and with the encouragement of my director, I enrolled in the OTC culinary program as well as a Certified Dietary Manager program. Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of learning from incredible chefs and mentors, growing both personally and professionally.

What get you excited for this upcoming year:
I’m excited to see the new events and educational opportunities the board will bring forward. I look forward to growing alongside the ACF and helping showcase all that the organization has to offer.

Lets Introduce our new Vice President

Name:
DJ Ball

Current Board Position:
Vice President

Current Place of Employment:
Lakeland Marketing

Tell us about you:
I was born and raised in the Ft. Wood/St. Robert area and spent summers in central Iowa, where my parents are from. My love for cooking started early with my grandmother and grew through hobby baking as a teenager. After two years at Iowa State without finding the right fit, family encouragement led me to OTC’s culinary program, and I moved to Springfield in 2004.
I started as a dishwasher while in school, quickly moved into cooking, and never looked back. Over the years, I’ve held nearly every kitchen title at several local spots. About a year ago, I stepped away from the traditional kitchen to prioritize work/life balance with my wife and three kids. Today, I serve as a Corporate Chef and Food Broker with Lakeland Marketing.

What get you excited for this upcoming year:
I'm excited to see some fresh ideas for our chapter, and to see how we can continue to grow hand in hand with our community

Welcome to our new Segment of Chef Spotlight,
First up is our new Board Leadership
Name:
Marty Lowry, CCC

Current Board Position:
President

Current Place of Employment:
CoxHealth Rehabilitation Hospital

Tell us about you:
Chef Marty is a native of Springfield and a graduate of Ozarks Tech. The oldest child of parents who met in the hotel they worked in together, he has worked in just about every type of cooking environment the area has to offer. With over 20 years in the chef trade, Chef Marty has worked in the area's finest country clubs and hotels and taken titles such as Executive Chef, Chef Instructor, Demonstration Chef, and others. His family includes his partner Cory, adult daughters Haley and Lauren, and his son Cole. When he's not cooking, Chef Marty is an active Scouting America dad and a dedicated music enthusiast. Chef Marty was also a runner up on Show-Me Chefs Season 4 and Judge's Choice Champion at their Introduction Gala.

What get you excited for this upcoming year:
The events! We are planning a new philanthropic event to benefit our fighting brothers and sisters, continuing our popular fund-raisers, and devoting ourselves to the education of chefs, pro cooks, our culinary arts students, and our community at large.

Join us for the next ACF meeting on Monday, February 23rd at 6:00 PM at Ozarks Technical Community College.
We’re excited to feature an engaging presentation by Chef Anthony Fischer on how certified technical education for the next generation strengthens and supports local businesses. In addition, Chef Daniel will be sharing his sourdough expertise in a special demonstration you won’t want to miss.
We look forward to seeing you there!

congratulations Chef Lou for being awarded Pittsburg High School Culinary Dragons Mentor of the Year!

congratulations for the Chef Bonetti professionalism award Chef Raymond Stopcynski

congratulations to the chef of the year! Chef Lou Rice !