[Sca-cooks] OOP- Chef's Assoc. Mtg

[kingstaste at mindspring.com]

	I just got back from the annual Chef's Association party. (Am. Culinary
Fed., Atlanta Chapter).  It was held at Phoenix Produce at the State
Farmer's Market in Forest Park, on the south side of Atlanta.  Phoenix is a
large distribution facility (they also have an educational foundation).  One
entire side of a loading dock building was dedicated to the party.  Every
culinary school in the city was represented with food booths, along with
many other catering companies, specialty companies such as Ice Creations -
amazing ice sculptures, Chocolate Fountains, Inc. that had a three-tiered
chocolate cascade with a tray of fruit for you to skewer and put through the
flowing chocolate, and a BBQ caterer that I was fairly unimpressed with -
the smoke flavor had a distinctively musty taste to it.  They said they were
using oak and hickory, but I would swear they used wood out of an old damp
closet.  Other than that, it was an amazing spread, and a fun opportunity to
schmooze.  They gave away a bunch of drawing items (I didn't win any) and
also handed out lots of goodies on the way out the door - I came home with a
box of flavor-infused olive oil samples and a mixed box of salad dressings,
along with a cut rose and baby's breath.  There were even bellydancers there
from the Imperial Fez, a wonderful middle eastern restaurant in midtown.
	 It's the first meeting I've been to since Kiri was in town and I took her
to the one at La Cordon Bleu and we saw the wonderful display of natural
food colors they had done along with all the wonderful seafood dishes, and
the presentation on current trends in fish preservation and what to look for
in a good seafood purchase.  I would encourage anyone that might be
interested to go to the ACFChefs website and see if you have a local
chapter.  Even if you don't become a member, you can probably attend
meetings and get to enjoy food samples and presentations that you might find
of interest.  Our local chapter is also big on charitable works, and always
has information about volunteer activities and community projects that can
use a good cook from time to time.
	Just had to share, not everyone would appreciate a party focused entirely
on food, but I knew you guys would :)
	Christainna