Joe Leonardi, CMC

Leonardi served as captain of the 2012 ACF Culinary National Team USA that placed third overall at the 2010 Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg, and sixth overall at the 2012 Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung(IKA) or “culinary Olympics” in Erfurt, Germany. He was a member of the ACF Culinary Regional Team USA that placed first in the…

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Susan Notter, CEPC

Susan Notter, CEPC, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is an ACF-certified Executive Pastry Chef and has more than 35 years of experience in the field. Her titles have ranged from pastry cook at Konditorei Heinemann, Monchengladbach, Germany, to joint owner and instructor at the International School of Confectionery Arts, Zurich, and Gaithersburg, Maryland, to head of the…

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George Castaneda CEC

George Castaneda, CEC®, of Nashville, Tenn., is executive chef for Sodexo Corporate Services’ Healthways World Headquarters, Franklin, Tenn. He graduated from the Chef’s Apprenticeship Program in San Salvador, El Salvador, and studied at The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y. Castaneda has garnered several medals in culinary competitions, and most recently won an individual…

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Andy Chlebana, CEPC

Andy Chlebana, CEPC, CCA, of Plainfield, Illinois, is an ACF Certified Executive Pastry Chef® and Certified Culinary Administrator®. Chlebana is a culinary arts/pastry professor at Joliet Junior College (JJC), Joliet, Illinois, and holds an associate degree in culinary arts from JJC, as well as studied baking and pastry at The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde…

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Matthew Seasock, CEC

Matthew Seasock, CEC®, an ACF-Certified Executive Chef®(CEC®) from Inkster, Michigan, is executive chef at The Northwood Club in Dallas, Texas. He earned an associate degree in applied science from Schoolcraft College, Livonia, Mich., with a certificate in culinary arts in 2005. He is an avid competitor and was part of the USA National Team that…

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Tim Prefontaine, CEC

Prefontaine was a member of the 2008 ACF Culinary Regional Team USA that placed first in the 2008 Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung. He was also a member of the 2012 ACF Culinary Team USA that placed third overall in the 2010 Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg. He has been a coach for ACF Culinary Team USA…

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Joseph Albertelli

Joseph Albertelli, of Port Chester, N.Y., is executive chef at Westchester Country Club, Rye, N.Y. He graduated with honors from the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y., in 2004 with an associate degree in culinary arts, followed by an apprenticeship at The Greenbrier; White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Albertelli earned a gold medal as Team…

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Ben Grupe

Ben Grupe is team captain of ACF Culinary Team USA 2016.  Grupe won two gold medals and placed third overall at the 2014 Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg receiving the highest score in the national team’s cold food salon. He was also a member of the 2012 ACF Culinary National Team USA, which earned two…

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Steve Jilleba, CMC

Jilleba graduated with honors from The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York, and is one of only 68 ACF-certified Master Chefs in the nation. He has received numerous medals in national and international competitions, including winning a gold medal and three bronze medals as part of the Confrérie de la Chaî des Rô…

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Chroma at Myers Park

The Best Knives Start With a “C” Mike and Gail Meagher with Chroma Cnife came by the club today and presented the entire Chroma Knife line to the culinary staff. They gifted 40 knives so that every chef on my staff now has a new Chroma Knife. Chroma has personally supported my professional goals since 2013….

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Tavern Construction to Begin in 2016

As the year end nears, next year and the following will begin the massive kitchen renovations here at the park.  I have spent the last 7 months working with 2 major companies to build unique new and innovative, state of the art kitchens.  Each designed not only with the current production in mind but also…

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New Breakfast Buffet at Myers Park

It been a busy couple of months here at the club.  Renovations are coming along very strong.  Once those items are all confirmed I will share some of the ideas we are using to create a more fluid cooking experience in each area. This last week I had been asked to do a different type…

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American Culinary Classic

This past weekend the team displayed some of our cold food program from Luxembourg where we placed 1st in the world on our cold table back in November. Here are some highlight pictures from this past weekend in Orlando!

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A Special Thanks

For my first post I would like to take a moment to personally thank everyone who has helped me become the chef I am today, without all of you none of this would be possible. I hope you enjoy my blog and the more in depth look it gives you into my life! Happy Cooking,…

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