November has been a very busy month and in preparation for the holidays our focus for the ACF AZ meeting was alcohol awareness. If I’ve lost you already, I understand. We know drinking and driving do not mix, .08 is the blood alcohol level, insurance goes up, people have died yet people still drink and drive. What made our meeting different is hearing about two regular guys having just enough in their system to push them over the legal limit and into Tent City.
Arizona has the toughest DUI plenty’s in the country and in Guilty Contents, David Ulysses Glute JR shares the reality of what that means and what a trip to Tent City was really like. David met Chris Pawlowski during this time and they are working together to get the word out focusing on sharing information about their experience. Chris shared with us information about prevention to the process of the reality of a DUI in Arizona.
Jackie Bell with Discovery Detective Academy also gave a presentation about alcohol awareness focusing on Arizona laws, liquor training for restaurant staff and liquor law certifications. With the information Jackie and Chris shared with us helped us all prepare for this holiday season.
Another topic of the night was “Check Yes for Chimi”; Macayo’s run for Arizona State Food. Macayo’s founder, Woody Johnson created the Chimichanga in 1946 and much debate has surrounded the birth of the Chimichanga. Macayo’s is claiming it and has been serving Chimichanga’s ever since that faithful day when he accidently dropped a burrito in the fryer. What a great marketing campaign and menu item.
The Arizona FCCLA held their Fall Leadership Conference at the Phoenix Convention Center where 1,500 students and their teachers had an opportunity to talk with vendors and to learn more about the many moving parts of foodservice. There are a lot of hungry minds out there searching for information and support; I look forward to help make connection.
I attend the Arizona Department of Education Family and Consumer Sciences Advisory Committee meeting to learn more about Arizona Career & Technical Education and how the ACF AZ can help support these efforts.
Women chefs throughout Arizona shared their talents at the 2011 Getting Our Just Desserts to benefit C-CAP, Careers through Culinary Arts Program which supports high schools culinary students. Proceeds from this event will fund scholarships for high school students. Amazing talent, informative demonstrations and a silent auction provided a busy and flavorful afternoon. A job well done by all.
I also attended social conferences; PodCamp (changing to Tech Phoenix in 2012) at the University of Advance Technology and Social Media AZ conference at the Mad Hatter Theater. Phoenix has a very strong technology community and always good to brush up on social skills. One tip I’d like to share is in reference food photography. Make sure the picture you’re taking to post online reflects the hard work and pride a chef puts into their work; watch the lighting, take close up’s and make the picture look nice.
Our new board members were announced for 2012 & 2013 and would like to thank those who have served in 2011 while welcoming our new members at the same time. There is no meeting scheduled for December however the board will be meeting on December 6 to discuss our plans for 2012-2013.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season.
Madonna Kash
ACF AZ
The 
