AMERICAN CULINARY FEDERATION PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
June 26, 2012
Media Contacts:
Sarah Senn: (904) 484-0213; [email protected]
Patricia Carroll: (904) 484-0247; [email protected]
Chiara to Receive Achievement of Excellence Award at
2012 American Culinary Federation National Convention in Orlando, Fla.
St. Augustine, Fla., June 26, 2012—The American Culinary Federation (ACF), the nation’s premier
organization of professional chefs, will honor Chiara, Westwood, Mass., with an Achievement of Excellence
Award at the 2012 ACF National Convention held at the Orlando World Center Marriott, Orlando, Fla., July 1417.
Chiara is one of 11 operations nationwide to receive the award, which
recognizes foodservice establishments that exemplify a commitment to
excellence. Criteria for the award are: being in operation for at least
five consecutive years; nomination by an ACF chapter, member or
individual in the foodservice profession; and being a recognized
industry leader.
“ACF’s Achievement of Excellence award is a very special award for
me and Chiara,” said Steve LaCount, AAC, owner/executive chef.
“Although Chiara has received favorable reviews and praise through
many media forms, ACF’s award is extra-special because of one main
reason: it is an award of recognition by one’s peers. Opening and
running your own business is hard work and requires dedication. Being awarded by those who understand and
work in the industry is uplifting, because it confirms that all of your hard work has paid off. These are not
outside judges or self-proclaimed critics. These are professionals in the same industry. I will cherish this award,
and I thank ACF on behalf of my family and the entire staff at Chiara.”
Chiara was opened in December 2005 by Steve and Michelle LaCount. Before opening Chiara, Steve LaCount
was executive chef at The Country Club, Brookline, Mass., and an adjunct professor at Boston University
School of Hospitality Administration. The LaCounts saw a need for an upscale bistro in an affluent suburban
area in a town that had previously been “dry,” so when the town of Westwood voted to allow liquor licenses,
they immediately sought a location for their bistro. It has since gained a huge following of regulars who live in
the area, and press exposure and online ratings have made Chiara a destination for great food and service.
More than 1,000 chefs, cooks, students and foodservice professionals will descend on the Sunshine State for
the 2012 ACF National Convention, which provides attendees with numerous opportunities to advance their
professional development and enhance their culinary skills through informative workshops and seminars,
cutting-edge demonstrations, a trade show featuring more than 100 exhibitors and competitions and awards.
The national convention is open to chefs and foodservice professionals. Ticket prices vary and can be
purchased on-site. A one-day program badge, which includes a meal, is $125. Call (800) 624-9458 or visit
www.acfchefs.org/convention for more information.
-MORE-
Sponsors of the 2012 ACF National Convention are: Alabama Gulf Seafood; Allen Brothers; Albert Uster
Imports; American Technical Publishers; The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes; Barilla
Foodservice; Barry Callebaut; BelGioioso Cheese, Inc.; Canada Cutlery Inc.; Carrington Foods, Inc.; Certified
Piedmontese by Great Plains Beef; The Cheesecake Factory Bakery Inc.; San Jamar Chef Revival; Contessa
Premium Foods; Custom Culinary, Inc.; Diamond Crystal® Kosher Salt; Ecolab®; Farmland Foods, Inc.;
Foodservice Rewards; French’s Foodservice; Johnson & Wales University; Lactalis Foodservice; Le Cordon
Bleu Schools North America; Manitowoc Ovens and Advanced Cooking; McCormick For Chefs; MINOR’S®;
Mississippi Seafood Marketing; NEWCHEF Fashion, Inc.; Plugra European Style Butter; PreGel AMERICA;
Riviana Foods Inc.; R.L. Schreiber, Inc.; Sara Lee Foodservice; The Schwan Food Company; S&D Coffee;
Sysco®; Tanimura & Antle, Inc; Tyson Food Service; US Foods; Uncle Ben’s®; Unilever Food Solutions;
Valrhona; Victorinox Swiss Army, Inc.; Villeroy and Boch; Vitamix Corporation; and Wisconsin Milk Marketing
Board.
About the American Culinary Federation
The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for
culinarians in North America. With more than 20,000 members spanning more than 200 chapters nationwide,
ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and programmatic
accreditation. In addition, ACF operates the most comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United
States, with the Certified Executive Chef® and Certified Sous Chef™ designations the only culinary credentials
accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. ACF is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the
official representative for the United States in major international culinary competitions, and to the Chef & Child
Foundation, founded in 1989 to promote proper nutrition in children and to combat childhood obesity. For more
information, visit www.acfchefs.org. Find ACF on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ACFChefs and on Twitter
@ACFChefs.
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Caption: Chiara