Chef Educate

Attended an incredible welcome mixer and networking dinner with chefs from around the world. It was amazing seeing old friends again while meeting so many talented new culinary professionals.

These photos capture the spirit of what Worldchefs is truly about — chefs from every corner of the globe coming together before the conference officially begins to share ideas, friendships, culture, and passion for our industry.

The food was excellent, the hospitality has been outstanding, and now after nearly 48 hours of travel… it’s finally time to relax.

Excited for the days ahead at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 — the first time in history the event has ever been hosted in the United Kingdom!

After one unforgettable journey, we finally made it to Wales for the 41st Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 at ICC Wales and the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales! 🇺🇸✈️🏴

What a start to the trip…

Things began Thursday afternoon leaving school at 2:30 when a cherry tree split in the driveway and had to be moved before we could even head out! Somehow, we still made it to the airport on time — only to find the international luggage line backed up more than 150 people deep. Thinking quickly, we found curbside bag check and barely made our flight.

Dinner before boarding? Homemade India style sandwiches and chicken liver pâté while running through the airport! 😂

After landing overseas, it took us over 30 minutes to organize connecting flights and locate fellow chefs traveling from America, but eventually everything came together. From there, we enjoyed a beautiful 2½-hour ride through the Welsh countryside to Newport.

We grabbed a brief lunch, checked into the hotel around 4:00 PM, relaxed for about an hour, and then attended an incredible networking dinner with chefs from around the world. It was amazing seeing old friends again while meeting so many talented new culinary professionals.

The food was excellent, the hospitality has been outstanding, and now after nearly 48 hours of travel… it’s finally time to relax.

Excited for the days ahead at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 — the first time in history the event has ever been hosted in the United Kingdom!

Join us for our April 2025 Chapter Meeting at the CIM in Port Huron! Hosted by Chef Tom Recinella, CEC, AAC, HoF and an Open Forum with ACF Team USA Managers and ACF competition judges panel.


Detailed directions:
Approaching from the West on I-69. Take the I-94 East exit to I-94 then exit at exit 275 Pine Grove M25 exit then follow the directions below once off the exit.

Approaching from the Detroit Metro Area on I 94 east:
You will get off at exit 275 Pine Grove M25 exit. It is the last exit on I 94 east. (Stay all the way over to the right. We have had visitors accidentally go onto the bridge to Canada; it is not fun)

Please be advised due to the proximity of the Blue Water Bridge to Canada, GPS sometimes does not work correctly and sends people onto the bridge to Canada.

Once off the exit:
There is a light once you get off at exit 275. Go straight through the light. You will be parallel to the Blue Water Bridge which will be on your left. You will cross 10th street. Follow the blue signs for the convention center and waterfront. You will come to a four way stop at this point you should see the DoubleTree Hilton 800 Harker St, Port Huron, MI 48060 straight ahead. You will head straight into their parking lot. Look right and you will see our building and our two residence halls.

The parking lot is shared with Doubletree By Hilton hotel.

ONE LAST ASK BEFORE VOTING OPENS!
Ballots arrive in your email TOMORROW - Let's make the Central Region stronger together!
Chefs, as spring brings new beginnings—my daughters graduating, students advancing to Nationals, and our industry buzzing back to life—I'm reminded why this election matters.
For 30 years, the ACF has been my compass:
✨ From my first meeting Mid Hudson Chapter New York
✨ To presiding over chapters post-pandemic & fighting for chefs' nutrition and mental health
As your VP, I'll deliver:
✅ Transparent leadership - No closed doors
✅ Chapter-first communication - Every president/member heard
✅ Growth where it's needed – Certification, Accreditation and Member Retention.
This isn't about me - it's about us and OUR future. The ballots land tomorrow. I humbly ask for your vote to keep our momentum going.

CHEFS OF THE CENTRAL REGION—I NEED YOUR VOTE!
Check your email for ballots starting April 22nd!
From my first ACF meeting in Rhinebeck with President Marquis to today—30 years later—it’s time to give back at the national level.
As your ACF Central Regional Vice President, I’ll fight for:
✅ TRANSPARENCY in finances & communication
✅ INCLUSION that honors senior chefs’ legacies and fresh voices
✅ RESULTS backed by 20+ years of ACF board leadership
MY PLEDGE TO YOU:
🔹 Bridge education & industry through ProStart, SkillsUSA, FCCLA, and ACF high school competitions
🔹 Clear chapter communication—no president or member left in the dark
🔹 Healthier chefs—advocating for mental/physical wellness and Chef & Child mentorship
Our Next generation is important to mentor and nourish!
This isn’t about me—it’s about PROTECTING OUR FUTURE.
📽️ WATCH MY 30-SEC MESSAGE → Why I’m running
📩 VOTE STARTING 4/22 (check your inbox!)
📞 Let’s talk: 810-650-8825 | [email protected]
With gratitude,
Chef James Kokenyesdi, CEC® CCA® AAC
Fraser High School | MI ACF Chairman | Chef & Child Task Force


`

Thank you all for the birthday wishes! I truly appreciate each and every one of you more than you know. Your support means the world to me—don’t forget, I’m looking for your vote for Central Region Vice President of the American Culinary Federation!

Well done

So real!

Dear Parent,

Today I sent you an email to inform you that your child has failed to turn in yet another assignment.

He is in danger of failing my class, and I thought you might be concerned about his grade.

Turns out I was wrong.

Instead of asking me if there is anything he can do to make up the work, or what he needs to do to pass, you blamed me. You accused me of not liking your kid.

To be perfectly frank, he’s not my favorite.

He is rude.

He lies to me.

He blows off my class, and he proclaims my lessons “stupid.” I have seen him mouth off to kids who are bigger and tougher, and I’ve seen him be mean to kids who are weaker and less fortunate.

So you are right.

I don’t always like him. But I do care about him.

I care very much, and I am worried.

You see, one day very soon this boy you are so eager to protect will leave your nest, and I am worried that he does not have the skills to make it in the real world.

I worry that his future employers or friends or spouse, will not have the patience that you and I have.

I worry that he will slack off at work and make excuses.

I worry he will be rude to his boss and mouthy to his coworkers.

I worry he will be unkind and that he won’t be able to keep a job or friends or a wife.

I worry that he’ll be lonely.

And when these things happen, you will not be able to protect him.

When he blames others for his problems by saying, “Well, they just don’t like me,” he will be right.

It’s true. Sometimes I don’t like your son.

But mostly I am just frustrated by how hard he makes it to like him.

I’ve seen enough to know that it could be easier.

Sometimes he forgets that he’s supposed to hate school.

He forgets that caring isn’t cool.

Sometimes I see a spark of interest. I see a light come on.

On those days when he shares some insight into a poem or a thoughtful opinion about something we’ve read, I can tell he gets it.

And he likes getting it.

Your son is funny. He has a quick wit that is charming when he doesn’t use it to cut down another kid.

I admit it. At times I don’t like your son.

But he has bigger problems.

I don’t like him, but I do care about him.

Soon he will be out in the world where there will be people who neither like him nor care about him. He will be out in a world that doesn’t accept excuses or bad moods or phone calls from Mom defending poor behavior.

Please do not send him into that world unprepared.

A Concerned Teacher