American Culinary Federation Press Release For Immediate Release: March 28, 2016

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

James Taylor, CEC, AAC, MBA, Receives Northeast Region Hermann G. Rusch Chef’s Achievement Award from American Culinary Federation March 28, 2016, St. Augustine, Florida—James Taylor, CEC, AAC, MBA, professor and academic chair of hospitality programs, Columbus State Community College, Columbus, Ohio received the Northeast 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, Taylor is a candidate for the national award presented during Cook. Craft. Create., Phoenix, July 15-19. “To receive this award is a great honor, and I am humbled to receive it in the name of Hermann G. Rusch, an exceptional chef and humanitarian,” said Taylor. “I believe we each do what we can to help and advise others, always remembering how we got started. We owe so much to the individuals we meet along the way who aid us in our quest to learn that it’s only fitting we reciprocate.” Taylor’s experience includes director of banquet and catering, Sanese Services, Inc., Columbus; and executive chef, Jai Lai Restaurant, Columbus. He holds an associate degree in hospitality management from Columbus State Community College; a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Franklin University, Columbus; and a master’s degree in business administration from Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio. Taylor received ACF President’s Medallions in 1996, 2005 and 2015; and in 2004, he received the Lt. General John D. McLaughlin Award from the American Academy of Chefs (AAC). From 2001-2005, Taylor served as ACF Northeast region vice president. He was also ACF national treasurer from 2009-2013 and ACF national secretary from 20132015. He has been involved with the Baron H. Galand Culinary Knowledge Bowl since 1997 and is currently serving as the chair of the ACFEF Knowledge Bowl Task Force. Additionally, he was the business manager for Team USA 2015. Taylor is a member of ACF Columbus Chapter, was named chapter Chef of the Year in 1991 and 2002, served as chapter president twice for a total of eight years and is currently serving his fourth year as chapter chairman of the board. 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. -more-

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. 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. ###