American Culinary Federation Press Release For Immediate Release: April 14, 2016

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

Christopher Misiak, CEC, CCE, program coordinator/instructor at Schoolcraft College, Named 2016 American Culinary Federation Central Region Chef Educator of the Year April 14, 2016, St. Augustine, Florida—Christopher Misiak, CEC, CCE, program coordinator/instructor, Schoolcraft College, Livonia, Michigan, was named the best culinary educator in the Central region, according to the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Misiak received the ACF Central region Chef Educator of the Year award at ChefConnect: Hawaii, April 3-5, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Waikoloa Beach, Hawaii. “This award is very humbling,” said Misiak. “It makes me realize just how much ACF, fellow chefs and the industry have affected my career. I am very honored to continue the tradition passed on to me by my mentors and hope to inspire the next generation. I believe that as an educator, we are not in the business of teaching; we are in the business of changing lives. It has been a very satisfying experience, and I will continue to do my best to change lives.” The ACF Chef Educator of the Year Award, established in 1998, pays tribute to an active culinary educator whose knowledge, skills and expertise has enhanced the image of the professional chef, and who, by example, has provided guidance to students seeking a career in the culinary profession. As the ACF Central region recipient, Misiak is a candidate to receive the national award at Cook. Craft. Create., Phoenix, July 15-19. Misiak’s experience includes over 30 years at the Schoolcraft College Culinary Department, and in 2015, he developed the four-year curriculum for the culinary arts program. His additional experience includes executive chef of catering operations, Masonic Temple, Detroit; and sous chef of catering operations, B & B Catering, South Lyon, Michigan. Misiak has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, Michigan; and an associate degree in culinary arts from Schoolcraft College. He is actively involved with the Baron H. Galand Culinary Knowledge Bowl. He has been on the ACFEF Knowledge Bowl Task Force since 2005 and has served as a regional and national judge for knowledge bowl competitions since 2006. Misiak also served as coach for the Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts Knowledge Bowl team from 2003-2005. In 2009, Misiak received an ACF President’s Medallion. He is an educator representative on the evaluation team for ACFEF accreditation site visits and is part of the ACF certification evaluation team for Certified Culinary Educators. Misiak is a member of ACF Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association. More than 350 chefs, students and foodservice professionals attended ChefConnect: Hawaii. 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. -more-

Sponsors of ChefConnect: Hawaii were: Minor’s®; Custom Culinary®; Unilever Food Solutions; NEWCHEF Fashion Inc; Plugrá® European-Style Butter; Vitamix; Ecolab; Allen Brothers; Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board; American Technical Publishers; Don Miller & Associates, Inc. (DM&A); Par-Way Tryson Company; The Beef Checkoff; Jones Dairy Farm; and Valrhona. 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. ###