ACF Philly is the local chapter of the American Culinary Federation 

 an organization of professionals in the Culinary Industry.

We joined together to strengthen the professional image and importance of cooks and chefs in 1929.

History 

We continue to educate our members , certify chefs and build networks, in addition to supporting students in Culinary programs through scholarships opportunities and internships.

 Membership categories are designed to follow your professional culinary career. Choose the designation that best describes you.

• Professional Culinarian - A Culinarian with a minimum of three years full-time employment in the culinary profession.
• Culinarian - A Culinarian is an individual not involved in the management or supervision of staff, with a minimum of 6 months full time employment. A Culinarian should be pursuing on-the-job training and experience necessary to advance to the membership level of Professional Culinarian. A culinarian membership is subject to a limit of five years.
• Student Culinarian - A Student Culinarian is a student or apprentice with less than two years full-time employment, a student enrolled in an accredited postsecondary culinary education program, or a registered apprentice as defined by the ACF apprenticeship training program. A student membership is subject to a limit of four years.
• Junior Culinarian - A Junior Culinarian is a high-school student between 16 and 18 years of age.
• Associate - An Associate Member is a representative of a group, company or corporation providing products or services to the culinary profession.
• Allied - An Allied Member is an individual employed in a field related to the culinary profession (such as dietitians, nutritionists, and restaurant managers or owners).
• Property Membership - A Property Membership is an affordable option for companies who wish to enroll their employees. A minimum of six culinary staff must be enrolled to receive a discount. Each employee may join a local chapter or become an ACF national member.
• Culinary Enthusiast - A Culinary Enthusiast Member is an individual that is not employed in a culinary field, but has a passion for the culinary arts. Individuals who enjoy cooking, baking, dining at independent restaurants, or who may have their favorite chef on speed dial should join as an Enthusiast.
• Military - ACF offers military personnel the benefits of a membership at a reduced price.

• Largest and most prestigious chefs’ organization in America
• 80 years of leadership in the professional food service industry
• Professional networking at local, regional, national, and international levels
• Monthly, national, cutting-edge publication; The National Culinary Review, (NCR)
• Monthly, national, ACF newsletter; Center of the Plate, included inside the pages of the NCR
• Opportunity to attend Regional Conferences and National Conventions
• National, regional, and local seminars, workshops, and symposiums
• Earned Professional Chef/Pastry Chef or Culinarian/ Pastry Culinarian Certifications
• ACF Web Site (www.acfchefs.org); all you need to know about the ACF on the Internet
• Internet JobBank; service for members to post their resumes, review resumes for new employees, or look for a new job; chef jobs are posted for free as a service to our members
• Vendor Resource Guide, a virtual trade show on the ACF Web site
• Local, national, and international culinary competitions
• International Culinary Olympics held every four (4) years in Germany
• Automatic membership in the World Association of Cooks Societies (WACS)
• National and Local Awards and Honors
• American Academy of Chefs, ACF Honor Society
• Voice of helping to feed hungry children; ACF Chef & Child Foundation
• High School Certification; ACCESS ACF
• Programmatic Accreditation for colleges and universities
• Subsidized Chef-TRAC Program; chapter certification courses
• Member Services Center; centralized Member Call Center via a toll free number
• Educational Grants for professional chef members
• Complimentary Term Life Insurance Program
• Horizons 2000 Video Lending Library
• Discounted Alamo Rental Car Rates
• Apprenticeship Program

For more detailed information on all membership benefits, please visit the ACF National website or call (904) 824-4468.    

Most members choose to include a local chapter experience as it provide great networking, professional development, and other community activities. To include chapter membership click here

Food has a special ability to bring people together. We  find this in our  own lives and in this professional community of Culinarians at all levels.  Cooking together builds the best communities! Let's get cooking together!