American Culinary Federation names 2009 chef of the year

The American Culinary Federation Chefs of Las Vegas and the ACF Associate Members had their annual Chef of the Year Dinner on June 28 at the Palms.

The evening began with a reception, where guests enjoyed a cocktail buffet of fresh seafood centered around a fish ice carving, grilled vegetables, hors d'oeuvres and imported cheeses and fruit, followed by a four-course dinner presented by the Palms chefs.

Among previous chefs of the year seen socializing were Christopher Johns, 1978; Bob O'Brien, 1999; Frank Insera, 1982; Larry Chumley, 1984; Jean Hertzman, 1998; Tom Rosenberger, 1997; Lucio Arancibia, 1995; Heinz Lauer, 2004; Kitti Sanderson, 2007; Rick Baumes, chef of the year 2008, and chef of the year 1986 Michael Ty, who is the president-elect of the American Culinary Federation.

Sanderson, president of Chefs of Las Vegas and chairwoman of Chefs for Kids, served as the evening's mistress of ceremonies.

Top candidates were presented at the group's April membership meeting. Members voted by secret ballot through the mail. The three candidates vying for the 2009 Chef of the Year Award were Allen Asch, chef/instructor with the Clark County School District, who also teaches culinary arts at a vocational high school; Terry Long, corporate executive chef for Food Sales West; and John Metcalfe, director of culinary arts for the College of Southern Nevada. All three candidates have extensive backgrounds in culinary arts, had previous positions in hotels and private restaurants and are active in the community.

Announced at the conclusion of the dinner was the selection of Metcalfe as 2009 chef of the year. During dinner, the student culinarian of the year was presented to Renee Eder of Le Cordon Bleu and the associate of the year went to Rick Albrecht, director of sales for Farmer Brothers Coffee.

Student scholarships went to Tony Tsai, Wend Ka Wu and Jerome Balagtas. Professional culinarian scholarships went to Robert Sisk, Heinz Lauer and Chris Moderson.

Among the guests attending were Mike Fryer, chef Levy Acosta, Corinne Fields, Jean Insera, Heidi Praml, Eva Marie Praml, Rhonda and David Funderlich, Buzz Thurber, chef J.B. Brown, Tom Albanese, Charlette Krane, Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, Diana Mendoza, Janna and Chad Roberts, Krista, Lillian and Roger Peters, Kasandra Killion and Martin Prybylski.