American Culinary Federation Press Release For Immediate Release: March 31, 2016

Media Contacts: Sarah Roy: (904) 484-0226, [email protected] Jennifer Manley: (904) 484-0247, [email protected]

Howard Cooper, Ph. D., Receives Southeast Region Hermann G. Rusch Chef’s Achievement Award from American Culinary Federation March 31, 2016, St. Augustine, Florida—Howard Cooper, Ph. D., retired culinary professional, Decatur, Georgia, received the Southeast region Hermann G. Rusch Chef’s Achievement Award from the American Culinary Federation (ACF) during ChefConnect: Atlanta, held March 13-15 at Hyatt Regency Atlanta. The ACF Hermann G. Rusch Chef’s Achievement Award recognizes a chef who has generously shared his knowledge with others throughout the years and continues to be a source of information and guidance for other culinarians. As the regional winner, Cooper is a candidate for the national award presented during Cook. Craft. Create., Phoenix, July 15-19. "I am overjoyed, but I did not do it alone,” said Cooper. “Many have walked with me along the way, and for that I am forever grateful. Trust in God, and do what you're supposed to do, and you will be greatly rewarded." With over 50 years in the hospitality and culinary industry, Cooper’s experience includes adjunct professor, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina; chef/foodservice consultant, Goodwill Industries of North Georgia, Decatur; and instructor/coordinator of hospitality administration, Morris Brown College, Atlanta. He also served in the U.S. Army and Air Force for 33 years between active and reserve duty. Cooper has a doctorate in hospitality administration from University of Dunham Online; a master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan; and a bachelor’s degree in home economics, commercial foods management and dietetics from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico. He received a chapter ACF Humanitarian of the Year Award and was awarded the 30 Year Service Award by Atlanta VA Medical Center. Cooper is a member of ACF Atlanta Chefs Association, Inc. and served as a board member for over 20 years. More than 450 chefs, students and foodservice professionals attended ChefConnect: Atlanta. The conference was part of ACF’s Signature Series, which provides educational and networking opportunities for culinary industry professionals and students. Learn more about the conference at www.acfchefs.org/EventSeries, on Twitter @ACFChefs, #ChefConnect or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ACFChefs. Sponsors of ChefConnect: Atlanta were: Custom Culinary®; Minor’s®; Unilever Food Solutions; NEWCHEF Fashion Inc; Plugrá® European-Style Butter; Vitamix; Ecolab; Allen Brothers; Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board; Atlantic Veal & Lamb; American Technical Publishers; Par-Way Tryson Company; The Beef Checkoff; Irinox USA; Jones Dairy Farm; Sysco Atlanta; National Turkey Federation; US Foods; Alouette Cheese USA; Performance Foodservice; S&D Coffee & Tea; Friedr. Dick Corp. and Valrhona. -more-

About the American Culinary Federation The American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF), established in 1929, is the standard of excellence for chefs in North America. With more than 17,500 members spanning nearly 200 chapters nationwide, ACF is the leading culinary association 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®, Certified Sous Chef®, Certified Executive Pastry Chef® and Certified Culinary Educator® designations 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. ###