Your association members are people who have many of the same concerns, needs, and interest as you. They're the kind of people you'll enjoy meeting. They're also the kind of people who will probably end up as your friends.

Why bother to join a trade or profession association? After all, association membership usually involves a commitment of time and money, and with so many other obligations pressing in on your busy life, is one more commitment really worth it? The members of the A. C. F. Sarasota Bay Chefs Association feel that the answer is a definite YES!

The American Culinary Foundation (ACF), Inc., the largest professional organization of culinarians in America, has been enhancing and furthering food service careers for more than seven decades. Through its Educational Institute, professional chef certification is possible, as is thorough training of culinary and pastry apprentices to meet a growing need for trained personnel in the industry. The ACF is the voice in the industry, representing more than 20,000 chefs nationwide and in the Caribbean countries with like concerns and needs.

The ACF Sarasota Bay Chefs Association was founded in 1983 by a group of local chefs. They realized the importance of a standard of certification and as a mean for communicating and educating themselves and other culinarians. Through these initial efforts, an interest was sparked to devote our collaboration of skills and talents to local charities as a means of charitable contributions and financial support for our local chapter.