August 16, 2000

Contact: Julie Shuttlesworth, Client Services Director

The Burdette Agency (904) 645-6200

Coveted Culinary Awards for 2000 at National Convention.

St. Augustine, FL, August 16, 2000 – More than 1,700 of the country’s best chefs gathered at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee for a five-day ACF Chefs Forum 2000, the organization’s annual national convention. The highlights of the convention, held from July 28 to August 1, were the awarding of the National Chef of the Year and the Chef Professionalism titles by Noel Cullen, Ed.D., CMC, AAC, president of ACF.

Steven Jayson, certified executive chef, member of the American Academy of Chefs, and vice president of Universal Studios Escape, Orlando, received the prestigious 37^th annual Chef of the Year award. Upon winning the distinguished award, Chef Jayson shared his personal motto, "Find your passion, work hard and all your dreams will come true."

He credits the great chefs of the past with leaving an immense legacy for today’s chefs. "I am honored every time I am addressed as chef," he said. "As a chef, I am an artist, inventor, food processor and even a philanthropist," he added.

A member of ACF Central Florida Chapter since 1975, Chef Jayson has served as chapter president, chaired and helped to develop the chapter’s annual culinary competitions and spearheaded spectacular growth which led to the Central Florida Chapter’s distinction as ACF’s largest chapter in 1992 and 1993.

Chef Jayson’s other achievements include: the 1998 IFMA Silver Plate Award as foodservice operation of the year; 1999 chapter Culinarian of the Year; 1996 ACF southeast region Chef of the Year; 1995 national champion of Custom Soup & Sauce Challenge; and 1992 chapter Chef of the Year.

Tyson Foods Inc. sponsors the award which bestows a $1,000 award voucher, Chef of the Year medal and ribbon, trophy and chef’s jacket embroidered with the Chef of the Year emblem.

Alex R. Darvishi, CEC, AAC, received the 11^th annual national Chef Professionalism Award. Chef Darvishi is executive chef and culinary consultant for A.R.D. Culinary Concepts, Inc. in Westerville, OH.

"As a professional chef, I feel it is important to set a good example for young Culinarians and to share my knowledge with future professionals," he said. His personal rules for career success include continuing education, treating others with respect, being a good listener, getting involved with his chapter and community and prevailing over tough situations.

Chef Darvishi’s accolades include: 1999 ACF Custom Foods National Soup & Sauce Champion; 1999 winner of the ACF Certified Angus Beef Cookoff; 1998 chapter and 1998 coach of the ACF Culinary Team USA juniors; 1996 coach of chapter championship team; three gold medals at 1992 International Culinary Olympics; participant on ACF Culinary Team USA at 1990 World Cup Championship; and perfect gold medal at the 1988 Culinary Olympics.

Chef Darvishi received an ACF gold medal, a plaque and a $2,500 honorarium culinary scholarship, which will be awarded to an ACF-accredited educational institution of his choice. Minor’s, a division of Nestle FoodServices, sponsors the award to pay tribute to chefs who represent the highest standards of professionalism in the foodservice industry.

The American Culinary Federation was founded in 1929. It is the nation’s largest and oldest organization of culinary professionals. ACF promotes the creative and professional excellence of culinarians of all levels.

For further information, please contact Julie Shuttlesworth at The Burdette Agency or log onto the ACF Web site at www.acfchefs.org. Photos of Chefs Jayson and Darvishi are available by emailing a request to communications@acfchefs.net or by downloading them from ACF Web site at www.acfchefs.org.