Press Releases

MONTEREY, Calif.- Bert P. Cutino co-founder of the world renowned Sardine Factory Restaurant on Cannery Row has been notified that he will be receiving the Chairman's Award at the American Academy (AAC) of Chefs Dinner. This year's awards dinner will be held on Monday, July 22, 2002 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas at the Annual American Culinary Federation's (ACF) National Convention. The Chairman's Award is given each year to an individual for their contributions to the profession, who certainly represent the high esteem of the AAC, which is the Honor Society of the ACF. The Academy is made up of 800 members out of the over 25,000 members of the ACF Nationally. The ACF is the premier chefs association in the United States and it has the certification program that certifies cooks and chefs and also has the only apprenticeship program nationally that is accepted by the United States government. The headquarters of the ACF and the AAC resides in St. Augustine Florida. Founded in 1929, it has flourished significantly throughout the years with the recognition of professionals in the hospitality industry, especially in the culinary profession which includes chefs, cooks, pastry chefs, bakers, etc. Chef Cutino is a Certified Executive Chef, a member of the American Academy of Chefs, former National Chairman of the American Academy of Chefs from 1995-1999 and is presently Chairman of the Honorary Board of Trustees and an Ambassador for the Academy. Chef Cutino instituted a cookbook, with academy members, as a fundraiser that has been voted one of the best cookbooks of 2001 by the independent bookstores association. Chef Cutino throughout his career has been recognized with many awards and recognitions for his contributions to the profession, education, and much civic involvement in the community. With over three hundred chapters of the ACF in the United States Chef Cutino has served as President of the ACF Monterey Bay Chapter and also was awarded Chef of the Year in 1983. He has been a Local, Regional and National Chef of the Year, with the National Chef of the Year being bestowed upon him in 1988 by his peers. He then received the ACF National Chef Professionalism Award in 2001, which is their National Award to recognize a true professional. Established in 1968 with partner, Ted Balestreri, the Sardine Factory's combination of fresh seafood, prime meats, and produce coupled with impeccable service, an award-winning wine cellar, and four distinct dining rooms has contributed to the receipt of many honors including: the Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) Award, Wine Spectator's Grand Award and the American Automobile Association's (AAA) Four-Diamond Award. For more information regarding this year's awards dinner, please contact Barbera Stockton, AAC Administrator at 800-948-0501.