By William C. Franklin, CMC, AAC

Like a bell curve, leadership in new chapters of professional organizations rises, then wanes. Adopting certain structural steps will keep a chapter strong, delivering long-term value to members.

Over the four and a half decades that I have worked in this industry, I've observed one constant: The industry puts greater demands on all of us every day. We are busy people with work and life's general requirements. Most of us no longer have the benefit of volunteering weekly or daily hours to our favorite professional organization.

The life cycle of most American Culinary Federation chapters is somewhat predictable and can be applied against a simple bell curve. The curve could cover 10, 20 or 30 years. The beginning of the bell curve represents the energetic chartering group in their mid-20s and 30s. They work hard to get the chapter established and grow the membership, sometimes into the hundreds. This group seems to be the energy and catalyst that sustains all programs and events while moving the chapter forward.

By Brent T. Frei

Mary Petersen, pioneer in creating learning opportunities for foodservice educators, is honored for her achievements by Cordon d’Or – Gold Ribbon.

Mary Petersen, founder and executive director of the Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAFÉ), has been named Chef Educator of the Year in the 2009-2010 Cordon d’Or - Gold Ribbon Annual International “Cookbooks & Culinary Arts” Culinary Academy Awards.

Noreen Kinney, founder and president of the St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Cordon d’Or - Gold Ribbon Culinary Academy Awards—The Accolade of the 21st Century, honored Petersen and recipients of other award categories at a reception and dinner sponsored by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association on April 30 at the Don CeSar Resort in St. Pete Beach.

Regional winners to vie for ACF’s national title in Anaheim in August.

The regional conferences of the American Culinary Federation are concluded for another year, and now, four regional winners of ACF’s Chef Educator of the Year Award will compete for the national title at ACF’s 2010 National Convention in Anaheim, Calif., Aug. 2-5. Candidates will each give a lecture/demonstration before a panel of judges, who will decide the winner.

By Eric Stein, M.S., R.D.

‘Tis the season for incorporating a wealth of Mediterranean-origin fruits and vegetables in menu development.

The spring season brings a major increase in the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to markets around the country. Some examples of produce that come into harvest in the spring include artichokes, cardoons, citrus, fennel, an assortment of greens and lettuces, spring onions and an array of different herbs. While many of these items are common on restaurant menus in the United States, throughout a variety of cuisines, they also share a common trait that most are also used extensively in the Mediterranean diet.

By Edward Korry, CWE, CSS

Here’s what every wine server should know.

Service involves more than the step-by-step procedures of opening and pouring wine correctly; it includes suggesting wines that not only pair with the food being ordered, but also that guests will enjoy. That requires knowledge of how food and wines interact with each other so that both either taste the way their creators intended or are enhanced and includes being able to help quests with their selection.

By Brent T. Frei

DC Central Kitchen’s Linda Vogler—who will present at CAFÉ’s upcoming Leadership Conference—helps transform despair into triumph for adult learners through food and service.

Chef Linda Vogler, culinary coordinator at DC Central Kitchen in Washington, D.C., trains people in the culinary arts who are otherwise challenged at finding meaningful employment. For her work, Vogler received Women Chefs & Restaurateurs’ 2009 Community Service Award honoring her contributions that have made a strong impact on the lives of others.

By Dr. Fred Mayo, CHE, CHT

Making students responsible for assessing their own performance can yield real differences in the way you teach and impact students’ attitude toward evaluation.

Last month, we mentioned the five elements of grading including: feedback, methods, criteria, grading mix and recording; we also discussed, in some detail, the topics of feedback and methods of evaluating student work. This month, we shall focus on the criteria—the standards that are used to judge the success or lack of it in performing work or demonstrating knowledge and skills—and ways to have student practice self assessment.

By Wendy Gay, CHE

Teach students to communicate intent, enhance impact and add value by using business-building phrases and gestures at service.

Every profession has a language. We have at least two. In the kitchen, for example, we sometimes “86” an item, saying it is not available. When orders fly in, we can be “in the weeds.” In the front of the house, language is an extremely important part of what we do. The words we speak can create business or take it away.

By Adam Weiner

Is teaching a world of different cuisines possible in only 50 minutes? Probably not, says Chef Weiner, but international cuisines can be successfully taught in a short series of classes.

For most teachers, teaching international cuisines has two limitations: time and money.

Let’s be honest. I don’t think that you can teach international cuisines in only 50 minutes. But, I do think that you can teach international cuisines in a series of 50-minute classes. I would recommend allocating about five class periods for this.

By Christopher Koetke, MBA, CEC, CCE

Educators seeking solutions for environmental efforts and teaching greener foodservice practices will find a wealth of information, products, services and contacts, May 22-25 in Chicago.

As schedules ramp up in preparation for the 2010 National Restaurant Association (NRA) Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago, I wanted to let you know about a few things you won’t want to miss. NRA has gone all out to put together a cornucopia of sustainability resources for both operators and educators. From the brand-new Conserve Solutions Center and Greener Restaurants program to a full track of educational sessions that focus exclusively on sustainability and social responsibility, they’ve got it covered … and you won’t want to miss it!