Sizzle - Summer 2011

president’s message

sizzle The American Culinary Federation Quarterly for Students of Cooking

Document the Present,
Map Out Your Future
By Michael Ty, CEC, AAC

Wow! It seems like just yesterday I was sharing my thoughts and suggestions with you on what you could accomplish during your breaks from classroom learning, and here we are again.

leaders to special meal events. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of meeting new students, and I gained a better perspective of your feelings, beliefs and vision for the future.

During this past year, I
have had many enjoyable
experiences getting to
know students and
apprentices across the
country. One that comes
to mind is the first Be Like
“Mike” Contest that took
place during the 2010 ACF
National Convention in
Anaheim, Calif. The
contest offered one lucky
student the chance to
shadow me during our
national convention, from
my meetings with industry
Believe me when I say that
my interaction with you,
the chefs of tomorrow, has
greatly impacted me and
spurred deep personal
reflection. I have
remembered the days
when I, too, was a student,
wondering about my
future and anticipating
where my career would
take me. I still remember a
piece of advice given to me
by an older, more mature
chef. “Take the time to
document everything
happening, as it happens.”