ACF Culinary National Team USA ranked fourth in the world overall and won two gold medals in the 24th Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung International Culinary Exhibition, held October 22-25, in Erfurt, Germany. Two of the ACF Culinary USA teams—national and youth—finished in the top 10 and featured several chefs from leading private clubs.
American Culinary Federation (ACF) Culinary National Team USA ranked fourth in the world overall and won two gold medals in the 24th Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung (IKA) International Culinary Exhibition, commonly known as the “culinary Olympics,” held October 22-25, in Erfurt, Germany. Two of the ACF Culinary USA teams—national and youth—finished in the top 10, while the military team won four gold medals and two bronze medals, proving American cuisine is among the best in the world.
“The teams did a phenomenal job,” said American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Chairman Michael Ty, CEC, AAC. “I’ve been to several ‘culinary Olympics’ and this one topped them all from the starters to the desserts. These teams put their hearts and souls into it, and they represented the best of American cuisine.”
ACF National President Thomas Macrina, CEC, CCA, AAC, who was the business manager for the 2012 ACF Culinary National Team USA, knows firsthand the challenges of competing internationally. “The national team displayed impeccable calm and courage under intense pressure,” he said. “They competed against the best chefs in the world and their coaching, discipline, teamwork and dedication to the craft is what earned the national team gold medals. The youth and military teams showed exceptional skill, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
ACF Culinary National Team USA’s interpretation of current American cuisine trends using American products earned the team gold medals in both cold-food presentation and the hot-food kitchen. The team placed fourth overall in the world among 30 national teams that competed. Singapore, Finland and Switzerland placed first, second and third, respectively.
ACF Culinary National Team USA members from clubs include:
- Joseph Albertelli, Executive Chef, Westchester Country Club, Rye, N.Y.
- Jason Hall, CMC, Executive Chef, Myers Park Country Club, Charlotte, N.C.
- Matthew Seasock, CEC, Executive Chef, Northwood Club, Dallas
- Joseph Leonardi, CEC, team manager, Executive Chef, Somerset Club, Boston
- Timothy Prefontaine, CEC, team coach, Executive Chef, The Fort Worth (Texas) Club
“The team did a great job in overcoming the obstacles that come with competing internationally and the end result proved that,” said National Team USA Manager Joseph Leonardi, CEC. “We chose to prepare food that represents who we are as a country, food that we are proud of and is bountiful in America. It has been an honor to serve with this team.”
ACF Culinary Youth Team USA, all 25 years or younger, was awarded silver medals for its edible buffet and hot-food kitchen. Overall, the youth team placed seventh out of 19 competing countries. Sweden, Switzerland and Norway placed first, second and third, respectively.
ACF Culinary Youth Team USA members from clubs include:
- Jesus Olmedo, youth team captain, chef de tournant, The Country Club, Chestnut Hill, Mass.
- Megan Bamford, pastry cook, Farmington Country Club, Charlottesville, Va.
- Tracy Morris, pastry cook, Chevy Chase (Md.) Club
- Marco Olivares, Executive Sous Chef, El Paso (Texas) Country Club
- Lydia Ross, CSC, demi chef, Chevy Chase (Md.) Club
“This team has been training hard for years and when they got into that kitchen they proved they were ready to cook and never lost focus,” said Stafford DeCambra, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC, youth team manager. “In both the hot-food kitchen and the edible buffet, we showcased a fall seasonal menu that represented the best of American regional cuisine.”
More than 2,000 chefs representing 59 nations participated in the IKA team and individual competitions. To learn more about the competition and how to support the U.S. teams, visit the ACF Culinary Team USA website.
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