About seven years ago I was asked and accepted the commitment to run for President of the ACF Greater Atlanta Chapter. I had passion, I had dedication and I had a vision of what we could do as a group with the right commitment to the right causes. Shortly after being elected I began to express my ideas and vision to our Board. Honestly, a few of them thought I had lost my mind, and those were my close friends. At my first board meeting, after bringing up the subject of hiring someone to handle the business-end of our Chapter, which by the way was not met with great affection , I remember coming home and asking myself, "What the hell did I just get into?". I remember thinking, I had accepted the responsibility of running for office and now it was time to "put up or shut up".

Fortunately, I was able to articulate my ideas with the passion and dedication I had felt for the ACF, and yes, no one knows better than I that the ACF is not for every chef out there. But the impact we have in our community as a group of Culinary Professionals is non-disputable and that my friends, IS FOR every culinary professional out there. The Atlanta ACF Chapter is second to none in this country and beyond when it comes to chefs making a real difference in the lives we touch, but how did we get here. Many of you who are new to the area see a successful group gathering monthly, helping each other out, networking and uniting for the causes we believe in. Let me tell you, it was a long hard road of work, passion, dedication and true commitment by a great group of culinary professionals who just needed the right direction and an incredible Executive Director who helped us execute our plan.

I truly believe that it is healthy physically, spiritually and mentally to be a part of something much bigger than ourselves, to give back just a little. All I ask of you is the same thing I asked seven years ago when I began this journey as your president, come to an ACF meeting, help us out with one of our fundraisers and then decide if being part of this great group of culinary professionals is something that's right for you. You'll be surprised, I sure was 30 years ago at my first meeting.

I feel very fortunate to have been able to be a part of this unbelievable ACF journey with its "ups and downs" over the years. It's truly amazing that I still tear up every Christmas morning as I leave the USO at the Airport on my way home to celebrate Christmas with my family after feeding and visiting with our troops. YES, OUR troops who are heading back for their 3rd and 4th tours overseas with no family there on Christmas but the ACF Family of Chefs who believe in something much bigger than themselves. You really want to talk about commitment and dedication, walk in the shoes of these young men and women for just one day, I can't even imagine it.

In closing I wanted to announce that I have again accepted the nomination to run for the ACF National Board of Directors as the Southeast Regional Vice President. I believe what we have accomplished together in Atlanta came be duplicated in the southeastern United States and beyond. I have learned from experience that to achieve this goal I will need all of the support that this great culinary city of Atlanta can provide me. This cannot be done alone; I will need all those kind words of encouragement you have provided me in the past, along with the commitment and dedication from all of those who believe in me. I am committed and dedicated to the next phase of this lifelong journey as a professional chef and a leader. So why not come along for the ride, see what we can accomplish together and really... what have you got to lose!

So I will ask you one more time: When was the last time you thought about commitment, dedication or anything along those lines to something much bigger than yourself?

Cook and Live with Passion!

Michael Deihl, CEC® CCA® ACE AAC
Executive Chef
East Lake Golf Club

President
American Culinary Federation
Greater Atlanta Chapter

ACF SE Regional Assistant VP
ACF SE Regional Ethics Chair
ACF State of Georgia Coordinator
2008 ACF Chapter of the Year