Chef Joe Aiello, CEC, AAC, HOF , is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. He is a past-president and active member of the ACF Chicago Chefs Association. He is also a member of Les Amis d’Escoffier Society, Euro Toques Society, Order of the Golden Toque, Ordre des Canardier, The Honor Society of The Canadian Culinary Federation and Catering Executive Club of America. In 2019 he was inducted in the American Academy of Chefs Hall of Fame and the Honor Society of the American Culinary Federation. He currently serves as the Chair of the American Academy of Chefs. Chef Joe Aiello has served as Apropo Catering's President since 1989. The American Academy of Chefs has created several scholarship opportunities for students to apply. Through this program, they are providing financial assistance to high school students and college students who have demonstrated an interest and who are pursuing careers in Culinary Arts and or applying to compete in competitions with in the American Culinary Federation. Through the American Academy of Chefs Scholarship program, they can offer awards up to $5000 each semester to an undergraduate, graduate students as well as high school students who are participating in competitions for travel and equipment expenses. To find more information about this program, please refer to our website at www.acfchefs.org/ACF/Education/Scholarships About the Chairman & Ambassador
Chef Rico DiFronzo, CEC, CCA, WCMC, AAC, HBOT, currently serves as the Ambassador of the American Academy of Chefs. He is the Executive Chef of The Union Oyster House in Boston, a landmark restaurant opened in 1826 and is America’s oldest continuously operating restaurant. The Union Oyster House was named one of the top 50 “Most Legendary Restaurants in the World” by Taste Atlas; “North America’s Best Landmark Restaurant” by World Culinary Awards: “Achievement of Excellence Award” from the ACF, the “7th Best Seafood Restaurant in America” by the readers of USA Today and 10 Best, and one of the “10 Classic Restaurants in the World You Must Visit” by Forbes Magazine. He also serves as the ACF Epicurean Club of Boston Club’s Financial Secretary and is a past president. In addition, he was a culinary instructor at Boston University School of Hospitably Management for eleven years, a National Officer of the American Culinary Federation and is the past Chairman of the American Academy of Chefs. He also is a member of Les Amis d’Escoffier Society, Order of the Golden Toque, Ordre des Canardier, the Honor Society of The Canadian Culinary Federation, The World Master Chefs Society, and the Professional Associate of Italian Chefs.
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Chef Denise Baxter, CCE, AAC , a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, and a 2023 inductee of the American Academy of Chefs Honor Society. In 2005 she developed and instructed the ACFEF Accredited Secondary Program at Mountain View High School, Stafford VA.
Since 2001, she has served on the National Technical and Education Committees for the SkillsUSA Culinary Arts contests, as well as judging state and national FCCLA and ProStart contests.
HOSPITALITY NEWS AUGUST | Page 23
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