“For my first duty station I was stationed in Las Vegas and we had a partnership with the casinos so I was able to work as an intern at the bakery at Caesar’s Palace,” she says. “By the end of the internship, I was baking cakes for celebrities like Mike Tyson, Wayne Brady and Celine Dion. Those experiences and certifications are definitely a stepping stone for transitioning to civilian life after serving in the military so we’ve been working hard getting the word out about the ACF and the certifications offered.” ACF member Edward Manley, a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander and culinary/foodservice management trainer, says the partnership between ACF and the military is critical. “It’s so important to connect with our military members, especially the younger ones, and encourage them to get involved in ACF. There are wonderful jobs in foodservice as a member of the U.S. military, but not everyone knows that. From some of the research I’ve done, those who earn certifications are three times more likely to get promoted to [higher ranks like] E7, E8 and E9.” Chef Marcelli shares the same goals as a member of the ACF Military Task Force. “I hope to dispel myths about the ACF among new military cooks that it’s not some secret club that you can only be a part of if you are a senior rank,” he says. “The ACF has done so much for the military and military chefs that I think it’s important to share best practices and continue to help each other.”
The Air Force does send airmen to compete at the Joint Culinary Training Exercise at Fort Gregg-Adams, says Chef Davis, but she’s always looking for more participation. “I feel like there is a lot of hidden talent in our kitchens so we’re trying to identify those [airmen] and give them opportunities to compete. There are also opportunities for airmen to work in the field.”
Jeffrey E. Phillips, CC - Chair Guy Winks, CEC - Vice Chair David A. Marcelli, CEC, CCE, AAC - Western Task Force Member Jazmen Y. Davis, CWPC - USAF Member Michael R. Edwards, CEC, PCEC, CCA USN Member Edward E. Fuchs, CEC, CCE - USGG Member Eric Johnson - USN member Dominic Difatta - Advisor David Ivey-Soto, CEC - Civilian Advisor René J. Marquis, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC Board Liaison THE ACF MILITARY TASK FORCE
HOSPITALITY NEWS MAY | Page 13
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