Your Culinary JOURNEY.
American Culinary Federation
Who We Are
The Standard of Excellence for Chefs
The American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF), a professional organization for chefs and cooks, was founded in 1929 in New York City by three chefs’ organizations: the Société Culinaire Philanthropique, the Vatel Club and the Chefs de Cuisine Association of America. Since our inception, little has changed in our principal goals. We are an organization based on promoting the professional image of American chefs worldwide through education of culinarians at all levels.
In 1976, ACF forever changed the culinary industry by elevating the position of the executive chef from service status to the professional category in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Dictionary of Official Titles. Since this change, the culinary industry and our organization have grown tremendously.
ACF is now the largest professional chefs’ organization in North America. We are made up of more than 14,000 members belonging to more than 170 chapters in four regions across the U.S. Today, ACF is the leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship, competitions and programmatic accreditation designed to enhance professional growth for all current and future chefs and pastry chefs. In addition, ACF operates the most comprehensive culinary certification program in the world. ACF is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the United States in major international competitions.
We also offer regional and national events, print and digital publications and much more to help foster the growth of professional chefs and the foodservice industry. If you are not part of our organization, we invite you to join us and gain access to the best culinary resources available.
American Culinary Federation Strategic Plan
The strategic plan was developed by the Board of Directors of the ACF with input from ACF’s national office and contains initiatives and action items to move the organization forward from 2023–2026.
American Culinary Federation Vision
To be the leader in professional and personal development for the culinary community, while promoting current culinary techniques and preserving the history and skills of our craft.
Connecticut Restaurant Association
Connecticut Restaurant Association
The CRA is a full service, nonprofit trade association dedicated to support every type and size of restaurant. We are advocates for the Connecticut restaurant industry, a hub for information and a platform for networking. We commit ourselves to offering cost effective benefits and resources you need to run a profitable business.
Connecticut ProStart®
Connecticut ProStart®
The Connecticut Restaurant Association and Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation (CHEF) promote advancement of the industry through the support of the ProStart Program. ProStart is a national, two year culinary and management program for high school students.
Connecticut ProStart® Program Overview
ProStart is the two-year career-building program for high school students. Whether students are looking to enter the job market directly after graduating, or if they plan to attend college, a ProStart graduate makes a solid candidate for success.
ProStart students gain experience and recognition in several ways:
Classroom Experience
ProStart students spend two years in the classroom mastering the fundamental management and culinary skills needed for success. ProStart trains students on industry-specific skills that can be used in all aspects of the restaurant and foodservice industry. Students also leave the program with employability skills – like leadership, accountability, teamwork and responsibility – that they can take with them to positions in all industries.
Industry-based Curriculum
Students follow the Foundations of Restaurant Management & Culinary Arts curriculum, developed by industry and academic experts.
Work and Learn
While classroom experience is necessary to learn the foundation of culinary and management skills, nothing beats real-life experience gained by working in the industry. ProStart students learn how to be an industry professional through hands-on work under the direction of a mentor. Mentors help students make the connection between their present performance and their future career.
Students will also learn the importance of arriving on time prepared for work, teamwork and accountability.
Mentored Work Experience
Then ProStart students put that learning to work on the job in qualified foodservice operations with industry professionals. In their mentored work experience, students receive mentor support, character development and real-world skills that give them a head start toward a career in the industry.
Connecticut and National ProStart Invitational
Students put their skills to the ultimate test in the National ProStart Invitational. This demanding culinary and management competition invites top students to represent their state, with winning teams competing for scholarships. Connecticut hosts its own ProStart Invitational each winter, with scholarships going to members of the top three teams and the winner representing Connecticut at the National ProStart Invitational.
ProStart National Certificate of Achievement
At the end of the program, ProStart graduates possess a solid foundation for their future careers, and they can earn the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement. This certificate recognizes students who have successfully passed the ProStart 1 and 2 exams and completed 400 hours working in the hospitality industry with mentored work. ProStart students who achieve the COA are eligible to earn special scholarships and course credit from colleges and universities across the country. It also opens the door to our vibrant and growing industry.
Over the last decade, ProStart has fostered countless success stories. With your help, there will be even more positive experiences to share in the future.
Contact Jennifer Conkling-Schmitz, Connecticut's ProStart Coordinator, 860-794-6666 or conkling@ctrestaurant.org, for more information about your school participating in ProStart.
Learn more about ProStart here.