ACF president receives leadership award

The American Culinary Federation’s (ACF) national president John Kinsella, CMC, CCE, WGMC, AAC, of Cincinnati, was honored at the Annual American Academy of Chefs (AAC) Dinner, hosted by the ACF Philadelphia Chapter on Sept. 22.

“John’s career has been dedicated to elevating the fields of culinary arts and education, along with his relentless drive to develop young talent,” AAC chair Tom Macrina, CEC, CCA, AAC, said in a press release. “Our chapter is proud to recognize him as our 2008 honoree. He is an outstanding figure in our industry.”

Kinsella is a distinguished leader, published author and an internationally recognized culinary figure, educator and businessman. He is one of only 61 ACF-certified master chefs in the country, a master chef of the City and Guilds of London Institute, as well as an ACF-certified culinary educator and a member of the American Academy of Chefs.

Irena Chalmers’ new book, Food Jobs, hits shelves

Looking for a resource to help culinary students land that perfect job in the food world ? Then be sure to pick up Irena Chalmers’ new book, Food Jobs: 150 Great Jobs for Culinary Students, Career Changers and Food Lovers (Beaufort Books; $19.95/paperback). Chalmers, a Chef Magazine columnist, CIA instructor and highly respected food-industry guru, has words of wisdom for anyone who has ever considered turning a passion for food into a career.

Food Jobs is packed with profiles of fabulous (and funny) foodservice career options—from chef, caterer and bed-and-breakfast owner to wedding cake designer, specialty-food retailer and food photographer to the holy-cow-I-can-get-paid-for-that? (Think yacht chef, chewing gum taster, fortune cookie message writer.) Food Jobs draws from numerous sources—stories from celebrities, quotations, recommended books, Web sites, and information and advice—to put the reader ahead of the competition.

The book describes which professional school to choose, what jobs are available, and where and how to find them. It bursts with real-life wisdom from those who’ve been there, including luminaries such as Alice Waters, Chris Kimball, Betty Fussell and Darra Goldstein, and premier chefs Bobby Flay, Todd English, Gordon Hamersly, Francois Payard, Danny Meyer, Anthony Bourdain and many more.