This year, L’Académie Culinaire de France (The Culinary Academy of France, ACF) and Les Maîtres Cuisiniers de France (The Master Chefs of France, MCF) held their annual meeting at The French Pastry School of Kennedy-King College at City Colleges of Chicago where we inducted new members, met on organization business, and celebrated our friendship and mission.
Special dinners and evens were held that week at the Union League of Chicago, Chez Moi, NAHA, and La Sardine. Chicago.
The formal opening ceremony was held at The Union League Club of Chicago where Executive Chef, Michael Garbin, welcomed the guests with a very special Verre de l’Amitié, or Toast of Friendship. Chef Garbin is part of Moët & Chandon’s Club des Sabreurs, and ceremoniously struck off the top of the bottle of Moët to start off the event.
Honors & Awards
ACF’s Dame de L’Année (Woman of the Year): Deann Bayless for her work as producer of Mexico – One Plate at a Time; co-author of several cookbooks; and owner, with her husband, Rick Bayless, of Topolobampo, Frontera Grill, and XOCO.
The Fauteuil de L’Académie (Chair of The Academy): Chef Bernard Crétier, Chef-Owner of Le Vichyssois Restaurant in Lakemoor, Illinois.
MCF Toque d’Argent (Silver Toque): Jean-Michel Bergougnoux of L’Absinthe Brasserie in New York City for years of dedication to French cuisine.
ACF Inductees:
Jérome Landrieu, Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy (Chicago, IL)
Carrie Nahabedian, NAHA (Chicago, IL)
Jean-Claude Poilevey, La Sardine (Chicago, IL)
Didier Rosada, Uptown Bakers (Washington, D.C.)
Dominique Tougne, Chez Moi (Chicago, IL)Bruno Chemel, Baumé (Palo Alto, CA)
Stéphane Cheramy, Ritz-Carlton (Orlando, FL)
Pascal Guillotin, Coverpoint Holdings (New York, NY)
Jonathan Jerusalmy, St. Regis Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)
Stephen M. Maronian, Norwalk Community College (Norwalk, CT)
Nicolas Romo, Patrick Properties (Charleston, SC)
Sébastien Thieffine, Ritz-Carlton (Naples, FL)
MCF Inductees
Steve Benjamin, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Las Vegas, NV)
Gérard Bertholon, Cuisine Solutions (Alexandria, VA)
Jean-Luc Boulay, Chez Boulay (Québec, Canada)
Patrice Defelice, Groupe Europea (Canada)
Didier Elena, Alain Ducasse Adour (New York City, NY)
Romuald Feger, St. Regis (San Francisco, CA)
Didier Lailheugue, Intercontinental Buckhead (Atlanta, GA)
Laurent Manrique, Millesime (New York, NY)
Patrick Ponsaty, Loews Coronado Bay (Coronado, CA)
Phillipe Schmit, Philippe Restaurant & Lounge (Houston, TX)