AMERICAN CULINARY FEDERATION EDUCATION FOUNDATION PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: September 27, 2016

Media Contact: Stacy Gammill, (904) 484-0213 [email protected]

Pinellas Technical Education Center’s Clearwater Campus Receives Accreditation from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation The program received exemplary status for its commercial foods and culinary arts program. St. Augustine, Fla., September 27, 2016—The culinary program at the Clearwater Campus of Pinellas Technical Education Center, Clearwater, Fla., received renewal programmatic accreditation from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) Accrediting Commission in July. ACFEF programmatic accreditation was renewed for Pinellas Technical Education Center’s Clearwater Campus’ certificate in commercial foods and culinary arts, which was initially accredited in 1987. The accreditation will expire June 30, 2023. The program has also earned exemplary status, which symbolizes the highest educational standards recognized by ACFEF Accrediting Commission. The award is presented to programs that have proven full compliance with all ACFEF Accrediting Commission accreditation requirements in the last visiting team report along with excellent management of the program. “The Accrediting Commission evaluates faculty, curriculum, facilities, student services and administrative capability to ensure that the programs promote successful student outcomes,” said Bryan Frick, CEC, AAC, ACFEF Accrediting Commission chair. “We are proud to recognize Pinellas Technical Education Center’s Clearwater Campus program as ACFEF accredited.” ACFEF programmatic accreditation assures that a program is meeting standards and competencies set for faculty, curriculum and student services. Accreditation ensures that the program follows established standards, has accountability and credibility, and maintains a high level of professionalism and up-to-date practices. Accreditation by the ACFEF Accrediting Commission of a program at an institution is voluntary. To receive accreditation, a program must first submit a self-study. Then, a three-member team performs an on-site evaluation to validate the information submitted in the self-study, which is compiled into a team report. Next, the Accrediting Commission reviews the report, along with the institution’s self-study, and decides if accreditation will be granted and for what length of time. The ACFEF Accrediting Commission, recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation since 1998, celebrates its 29th anniversary in 2016. -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 over 150 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 and on Twitter.