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Celebrated restaurateur, co-founder of the Sardine Factory restaurant, and Monterey native Chef Bert Cutino has been named one of the first recipients of the American Academy of Chefs' (AAC) prestigious new "Legend Award." The honor was presented during the AAC's 53rd Annual Induction Gala Dinner at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.

The American Academy of Chefs is the honor society of the American Culinary Federation (ACF)—the largest professional chefs' organization in North America. Membership in AAC is by invitation only and represents fewer than 700 of the ACF's 20,000 members. Fellows are recognized for their leadership, professional achievement, and lifelong commitment to advancing the culinary arts, making it one of the most exclusive recognitions in the industry.

The Legend Award was established in 2025 to recognize chefs whose careers have left a lasting, transformative impact on the profession—through innovation, mentorship, advocacy, and service. Chef Cutino is one of only five chefs nationwide selected for the inaugural class, making the distinction one of the rarest and most respected honors in the field.

"Receiving the Legend Award from the American Academy of Chefs is deeply meaningful," said Cutino. "It reflects not just my own career but the contributions of my mentors, colleagues, and the young chefs I've been fortunate to guide. It is a celebration of what we can accomplish when we lift each other up and advance our profession together."

About Chef Bert Cutino, CEC, AAC, WCMC, Cofounder/C.O.O. The Sardine Factory Restaurant
A Certified Executive Chef and Fellow of the American Academy of Chefs, whose legacy spans decades of excellence, leadership, and service in the culinary profession. He is the co-founder of the internationally famous Sardine Factory Restaurant and the Cannery Row Management Co., as well as other companies, now including five hotels. He graduated from Monterey Peninsula College with a degree in business and has also received two degrees of Doctor of Culinary Arts in Honoris.

Chef Cutino has been an active member of the American Culinary Federation (1972) and was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs (1984). He served as American Academy of Chefs Chair (1995 - 1999), has contributed to numerous American Culinary Federation and American Academy of Chefs committees, and has chaired the MC Honorary Board of Trustees since 2009. He was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs Hall of Fame (2006) and honored with the prestigious Honorary Board of Trustees designation for his lifetime of service, mentorship, and excellence in the culinary arts. Chef Cutino is the recipient of many honors, including Chapter Chef of the Year (2022), the American Culinary Federation President's Medallion (2006 & 2016), American Academy of Chefs Chair's Medal (2002), American Academy of Chefs Lifetime Achievement Award (2006), American Academy of Chefs Chef Good Taste Award (2011), and American Culinary Federation Dr. LJ Minor Professionalism Award Western Region and National recipient (2001). He is the Co-founder of the ACF Chef & Child Foundation.

He was part of the International Culinary "Olympics" with his own team from California (1988) and he was appointed Protocol Chairman of the U.S. Culinary Team ( 1992). He was a member of the ACF Team USA 2020 and has been awarded the Ring of Honor.

In addition, Chef Cutino has held multiple positions in various organizations including the Director of the Honorable Order of the Golden Toque, Euro Toques, Past Chairman of Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA), Past Chairman of the Antonin Careme Society, Past National Chairman of all Professional Members of the Chaine des Rotisseurs in the USA. He is a past member ofthe board of the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation. Chef Cutino is past Chairman of the prestigious International Foodservice Manufacturers Association Gold and Silver Plate Society.

Chef Cutino has been the recipient of multiple awards and recognitions, some of which include being inducted into the Les Disciples de Les Amis d'Escoffier (2005), Nations Restaurant News Fine Dining Hall of Fame Legends Award (2006). Chef Cutino has been honored by and a member of the National Sicilian American Foundation and has been certified by The Order Sons of Italy in America and the Italian Heritage Foundation.

He is active in many local charities; one close to his heart is the Meals on Wheels Culinary Classique, which he founded. This year's event will be held at The Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach on Sunday, November 2. He initiated bill, #1850, which funded $11,000,000 for culinary art programs in community colleges in California. Chef Cutino developed and co-founded the Drummond Culinary Academy at Rancho Cielo, Salinas, California for wayward young people who seek a career in the hospitality industry, from chefs to management.

He continues to be a pillar of the culinary community and a respected mentor nationwide.