Sous Chef Wanted in Miami Area
Sous Chef needed in the Miami Area. Contact Juan Trueba at jc.trueba@lsgskychefs.com
Congratulations to Chef Juan Cruz Acosta
Chef Juan Acosta, CEC®, WCEC for becoming a Certified WorldChefs Executive Chef.
Chef Cruz has worked very hard to accomplish this arduous task. We are all very proud of him. ChefChef Bob Anderson, CEC®, CCE®, CE
Chef Robert Anderson, CEC®, CCE®, CE
UPDATE: 20 February 2021
Our good friend Chef Robert (Bob) Anderson, CEC, CCE was diagnosed with cancer back in December. The first week of February, Bob & Karen went shopping at the Flea Market. Bob fell which caused a concussion and a Brain Aneurysm (I am not sure what the correct medical terms are). Bob has been released from Ocala Regional Medical Center and now is at Life Care Center of Citrus County. He is will be quarantined for the next 14 days (March 4th or 5th). Bob will begin his physical thereby and hopefully his radiation therapy soon. Bob has a long haul to full recovery. Please say an extra prayer for Bob & Karen and keep him in your thoughts.
For those of you that do not know Chef Anderson, Bob has always been a giving & loving person. Bob Anderson was one of the original members of the ACF Gulf to Lakes Chapter back in 1990/1991. When ever needed Bob was there. I will keep everyone updated on his progress on our chapter web page www.gulftolakeschefs.com and on our Facebook page
ServSafe Food Protection Manager’s Refresher & Examination March 20, 2021
ServSafe Food Protection Manager’s Refresher & Examination March 20, 2021
Has your ServSafe Certification expired or do you need to certify? Chef Jeff Paul & Chef Helping Chefs will be conducting Refresher Training and Testing Saturday March 20th at One Fat Frog on Sand Lake Road in Orlando. 10:30 AM Sharp.
Reserve your seat at http://chefshelpingchefs.com/servsafe/
Welcome to the Team – Chef Jeff Paul
Chefs Helping Chefs (CHC) Welcomes Chef Jeff Paul to the Team
We are very proud to announce the addition of Chef Jeff Paul to our team at Chef’s Helping Chef’s. Jeff will be joining the team in the role of Banquet/Catering Specialist as our hospitality training and consulting services continue to grow.
Chef Paul brings to the team a wealth of experience from over 30 years in the Private Catering and Banquet Business.
Please Take a look at Chef Jeff Paul’s bio on the “Meet the Team” page, or feel free to contact him directly at patticaces@hotmail.com
Meet the Chefs Helping Chefs Team
Meet the Chefs Helping Chefs Team
Your One Stop Shop for Your Training Needs
Jeff Rotz CEC®, WCEC, CCE®, AAC®
Founder/Project Director of Chefs Helping Chefs, LLC
Chef Jeffrey Rotz grew up in New York City and started his hospitality career by working the summer months at resorts in the Catskill Mountains of New York. In 1971 he joined the US Navy and was enrolled in their Cook’s Apprenticeship Program where he learned the basics of cooking. Throughout his Naval career he received many awards, medals, and commendations. Jeff held many notable assignments throughout his career. In 1993 after 22 years of service, Chef Rotz retired from the Military and was recruited to teach culinary apprenticeship programs in the state of Florida.
In 1997 Chef Rotz was assigned to Eustis High School as the first professional Chef teaching Commercial Foods/Culinary Arts in a traditional high school setting. During his tenure there, Chef Jeff was actively involved in the American Culinary Federation Gulf to Lakes Chapter and has held the offices of Chapter President and Chairman of the Board. Chef Rotz is also a 3-time ACF Presidential Medallion recipient, the winner of the Joseph Amendola Outstanding Member Award, ACF Spirit of Aloha, and many more awards & accolades from the American Culinary Federation and community organizations. Jeff was honored as Teacher of the Year 2005 – 2006 for Lake County School District. It was during this time that Chef’s Helping Chefs was founded out of a need for guidance in Navigating the ACF Certification Process.
In the past 5 years, Chef Jeff has been responsible for the training of over 4500 Food and Beverage Team Members at over 30 Hotels and Resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, most notably Princess Hotels and Resorts in Cancun Mexico, Royalton Resorts in Jamaica, Curtain Bluff and Galley Bay in Antigua as well as Seven Star Resorts in the Turks and Caicos.
Currently, as the Founder/Project Director of Chefs Helping Chefs, Chef Rotz has focused on his recent partnership with the many of the Hotel and Tourism Association to uplift and celebrate the Chefs and the cuisine of the West Indies. By implementing his “Train the Trainer Program” which develops the structures for educators to better prepare their students for ACF and WACS Certification. Chef Jeff has been implemented the Certification “Boot Camp” program. This program help to promote hospitality training and certification for Food and Beverage Team Members throughout the entire Caribbean. These programs will help to increase the morale of the individuals by training them to international standards and raise the culinarian to a higher level while also increasing their employability.
Anton Werner Döös III
A native of Switzerland with over 45 years of culinary expertise, “Tony” had an early interest in culinary arts from his foster dad, a chef at the local railways. So it was an expected move when in 1973 he progressed to culinary apprentice and also studied at the Hotel School Montana in Luzern, graduating with a Swiss federal chef’s certification and a BS in food service mgmt.
During the mid to late seventies, his early chef studies as Commis and Chef de Partie brought him to several properties in Switzerland and England. In the summer of 79 he accepted a sous chef’s position at the prestigious Coral Beach Club in Bermuda. Additional appointments in some of the most famous hotels there, from Executive chef to F&B manager, opened the doors to enter the US with Marriott Resorts. He held positions from food production manager, exec. Chef and F&B director. Opportunities in the early stages of the expansion of that company afforded Chef Döös the chance to show his talents as task force chef in opening hotels from the east to the west coast. Five years later he accepted the position of F&B director at the Buccaneer Hotel in St. Croix, USVI.
What was to be a three-year appointment tuned into 30 years of Caribbean experience. His next appointment as Corporate F&B director for a startup company led to ownership of eventually a portfolio of seven restaurants and the Anchor Inn hotel. By the late ’90’s and after having established himself as the authority in food on St. Croix, he answered the call to establish a viable culinary program at the local technical school. By the mid-twenties he sold the last of his company assets and became the chair of the FACS department at the CTEC. He is the adviser to the VI culinary team, State director for SkillsUSA, received multiple community awards, won equally as many culinary competitions, and is an active promoter for the advancement of contemporary Caribbean cuisine.
To the later he has partaken in the “Caribbean Junior Culinary Challenge” in Barbados since its inception. Chef Döös volunteers as a judge at Caribbean culinary competitions and with his consulting company, trains and advises companies throughout the region. Tony is an ACF certified executive chef the President and founder of the ACFVI cooks and chef’s association, President of the local BBQ society, and member of many more community projects.
Chef Matthew Dennis, CEC®
Richard Crisanti, CEC®, WCEC, CCA®, AAC®
Experienced Executive Chef with a demonstrated history of working in the hospitality industry. Skilled in Catering, Food & Beverage, Microsoft Excel, Hospitality Management, and Customer Service. Strong operations professional with a Associate’s degree & Bachelors Degree in Management focused in Culinary Arts/Chef Training from Johnson & Wales University.
Bio For Gary R. Klinefelter, CEC®, WCEC, CE, CCA®, AAC®
Gary R. Klinefelter, CEC®, WCEC, AAC®, CE, AAC® started his culinary career at the age of 14 by working in the kitchen of a small privately owned restaurant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At a young age, Chef Gary was fascinated by the hospitality business and worked several positions in prominent Pittsburgh hotels before starting his formal ACF Apprenticeship training. After graduating at the top of the class and earning the “Apprentice Chef of the Year” designation as well as many medals for his competitive work, Klinefelter moved on to Hidden Valley Four Seasons Resort as the Executive Sous Chef where he continued to hone his skills. At the age of 23, Chef Gary accepted his first Executive Chef position and began his lifelong career path as a leader, coach and mentor.
Throughout the years, Klinefelter has gone on to accept other appointments in Country Inns and Country Clubs as well as Beach Resorts and Hotels throughout the United States and the Caribbean, most notably The Buccaneer Resort on St Croix, US Virgin Islands where he was Executive Chef and Director of Food and Beverage and the AAA Four Star Four Diamond 998 room Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida where he was Executive Chef of Outlets. Klinefelter is considered to be an industry leader in the art of dry aging meats and has created several in house butcher shops and dry age meat rooms for leading resorts and Celebrity Chefs in the United States.
As a past member of the US Virgin Islands Culinary Team, Chef Klinefelter has represented the island of St Croix St Croix in the “Taste of the Caribbean” where the team had earned 3 Gold Medals, 5 Silver Medals, 5 Bronze Medals and received several overall team Silver Medals.
Chef Gary describes his cooking style as “Eclectic World Cuisine” with an emphasis on Caribbean flavors and fresh, local sustainable food products with regionally inspired cooking techniques which are demonstrated through the 100% scratch kitchens which he leads.
Klinefelter who serves as the Vice President and one of the Founding Fathers of the Virgin Islands Chef’s and Cooks Association is a Certified Executive Chef, World Certified Executive Chef through WACS, Certification Evaluator, Certified Culinary Administrator and a Fellow of the American Academy of Chefs. Currently Chef Gary is the Executive Chef of Gulf Stream Bath and Tennis Club in Delray Beach, Florida where he continues to be a mentor to his many J-1 Cultural Intern Students as well as his regular team. Chef Klinefelter has done continuing education studies at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, The Greenbrier, in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, and The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman Island. Klinefelter has led many community fundraising projects including the American Liver Foundation Flavors of Pittsburgh, Chef’s Helping the Homeless, The Ultimate Dinner Party for the Children’s Home, St Croix Culinary Juniors and the Givin’ the Dream Foundation.
Awards Received:
- Winner – SOBE Food and Wine Festival Bloody Mary Brunch – 2016 Judged by the cast of “Chopped”
- Silver Medal – ACF Professional Category – Taste of Elegance Pork Competition – 2015
- People’s Choice Award – Expo Al Fresco / Taste of Hollywood – 2015
- Silver Medal – Overall Team – USVI – Taste of the Caribbean – 2013
- Silver Medal – Seafood Category – Taste of the Caribbean – 2013
- Silver Medal – Best Use of Cheese – Taste of the Caribbean – 2012
- Silver Medal – Overall Team- USVI – Taste of the Caribbean – 2012
- Taste of St. Croix Champions Cook-Off – First Place Winner – 2012
- Winner -“Peoples’ Choice Award” Taste of St. Croix 2012
- Third Place “Best Entrée” Taste of St. Croix – 2012
- St. Croix Food & Wine Experience – Cuisine on the Green Champion – 2011, 2012 & 2014
- Best Dish” Whirl Magazine 2010
- Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – 2010
- Gold Medal A.C.F. Pittsburgh Chapter Soup Competition -1998
- Gold Medal A.C.F. Pittsburgh Chapter Braised Meat Competition – 1998
- Silver Medal A.C.F. Pittsburgh Chapter Sanctioned Culinary Salon – 1996
- Silver Medal A.C.F. Pittsburgh Chapter Salads Competition – 1995
- Silver Medal A.C.F. Pittsburgh Hot Food/Cold Competition – 1995
- Silver Medal U.S.X. Tower Ice Sculpting Competition – 1995
- A.B.E.L. Award for Hot Food Displayed Cold – 1994
- First Place and Best of Show C.C.A.C. / A.B.E.L. Food Show – 1993
Professional Affiliations and Certifications:
- Certified Executive Chef – American Culinary Federation
- Fellow – American Academy of Chefs Honor Society
- Founding Father /Vice President – A.C.F. Virgin Islands Chefs and Cook’s Association
- Education Chair – ACF Virgin Islands Chefs and Cooks Association -2013 – present
- Executive Chef / Board of Directors – Givin’ the Dream Foundation 2013-Present
- American Culinary Federation, Member since 1993
- Member – United States Virgin Islands Culinary Team 2011 – 2014
- Team Coach / Manager – St. Croix Culinary Juniors
Chris Ghita
Chris Ghita is a Grenadian national from very humble beginnings who was raised in Venezuela and later returned to his place of birth in Grenada after spending his younger years in Venezuela. After earning his high school diploma, Chris Ghita joined the hotel industry in 1993 as a waiter at the Indigos hotel and the Rex Grenadian before joining Spice Island Beach Resort as a Senior Waiter. After working tirelessly as a waiter and showing true passion and dedication, he gained experience in several positions such as steward, maintenance technician, houseman and front desk agent. Committed to growth, Chris Ghita then spent several years shadowing his superiors and was promoted to Head Bartender, Food & Beverage Supervisor, Maître D, and Food and Beverage Manager. Chris Ghita was able to move through the ranks by not only shadowing his superiors but also understanding that education and training was vital to his growth of holding a General Manager’s title one day therefore, he did not pass up the opportunity to go through extensive training in Sweden, Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne, Florida and much more. Chris Ghita holds a bachelor’s degree in International Hospitality Management and Tourism and an MBA Business Administration. He also holds diplomas from St. George’s University in Hospitality Management and French Wines and Wines of the World and Restaurant and Bar Organization. At Gothenburg University, he spent four years studying Culinary Arts and he is also an American Hotel Lodging and Education Institute Certified Hospitality Department Trainer and Hotel Administrator.
His hard work, education, experience and talent then led him into earning the position of Assistant Manager at Spice Island Beach Resort. At the age of 29, Chris Ghita left Spice Island Beach Resort to manage Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort, a 21 boutique hotel in the capacity of General Manager. He then spent two years and then went to St. Lucia to manage The Village Inn Spa. Committed to not spending more than 2-3 years at a property he then went on to manage Palm Island Resort in the Grenadines where he left after three years to manage Galley Bay Resort and Spa in Antigua but was first the Hotel Training and Development Manager. After two and a half years he went on to manage the Sandals White House in Jamaica, a 360-bedroom hotel in South of Jamaica and he also served as Hotel Manager at Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica.
Chris Ghita now currently serves as General Manager at Ocean Terrace Inn where he has been focused on training and development, hospitality development, Succession planning for Hotel Employees, environmental sustainability, corporate responsibility and partnership and also the adoption of the Irishtown Primary School.
Chris Ghita took Ocean Terrace Inn to “CHIEF 2017” at the Hyatt hotel Regency Miami and placed most sustainable hotel in the entire Caribbean.
The Ocean Terrace Inn under the leadership of Chris Ghita has just been certified by the UK based Organization “Hospitality Assured” the only hotel in St. Kitts to have this certification.
Chris Ghita is the current Co-chair of the Junior Achievement foundation for St. Kitts and Nevis and is an accomplished trainer in all aspects of the hotel industry with twenty-four years’ experience training in different institutions through the OECS and now St. kits and Nevis.
Manfred Schmidtke CEPC, CMB
It all started as a small child on a bike. I delivered fresh hot rolls with fresh milk to people in my town which was a small quaint village in Northern Germany. The rolls inspired my career as a Certified Master Baker and Executive Pastry Chef. I became inquisitive about those hot rolls. Therefore, I decided to pursue a career as a pastry chef. I have been in the baking and pastry business for over 35 years in several capacities which has yielded a huge success. The fun of tasting sugar for so many years could make anyone have the sweetest of sweet tooth! My training was in Germany and it opened doors to an interesting career around the world. After completing my training, I travelled to several different countries around the world. The experience I gained was invaluable – so many different pastries in so many places. After my travels abroad, I arrived in America and became the proud owner of an exclusive pastry shop in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I made fancy pastries and artisan breads. People would travel for up to one hour to get my sticky buns on a Sunday morning. Being German I naturally made German pastries which drew a unique population of customers.
As life progressed, I decided to make a career change. I discovered I had a hidden talent for teaching. Teaching became a passion and I have been teaching baking and pastry for over 20 years. Sharing my knowledge with new aspiring pastry students is what inspires me every day! To see a new chocolate / sugar creation created by a pastry student makes the circle complete in my life of baking and pastry. My expertise stem from the fact of having work in so many different countries, and never to stop leaning.
Laurie Stone Dennis
Quality Apparel from NewChef Fashions
Chefs Helping Chefs
Your One Stop Shop for Your Training Needs
Mercer Knives
Chefs Helping Chefs have added Mercer Knives. Take a look at their catalog at Mercer 2020 Culinary New Product Brochure (mercerculinary.com) Contact Jeff for more information. chefjeff@chefshelpingchefs.com
About Chefs Helping Chefs
ABOUT US!
Chefs Helping Chefs, LLC officially started in 2008, however our name has been used since 2003 when Chef Jeff Rotz began assisting cooks and chefs in their initial ACF Certification and continuing education training.
To date, Chefs Helping Chefs, LLC has trained over and Beverage Team Members at over 50 Hotels, Resorts, Schools, and other Hospitality Organizations throughout the Caribbean, Central America, Southeast United States, Mexico , and Saudi Arabia. The team of Chef’s Helping Chef’s is a dedicated group of individuals with various levels of experience and certification to bring you the latest information and developments within the hospitality industry. Each member of our team has no less than 15 years each of experience in the Hospitality industry. All of our team members regularly attend conventions, meetings and trainings to continuously upgrade our education and services that we offer. It is in this way that we are able to guarantee your staff will be given the most up to date information and guidelines as set forth amongst the hospitality industry. We aim to keep your staff educated and aware of vital components necessary for a successful food service establishment.
In 2012, Chefs Helping Chefs expanded its business to Saudi Arabia and in 2015 we expanded to Mexico. Currently, Chefs Helping Chefs has partnered with Hospitality, Hotel and Tourism Associations throughout the United States and the Caribbean. By implementing a “Train the Trainer Program” which develops the structures for educators to better prepare their students for ACF and WACS Certification, Chef’s Helping Chef’s, LLC has been able to promote hospitality training and certification for Food and Beverage Team Members throughout the entire Caribbean. These programs will help to increase the morale of the individuals by training them to international standards and raise the culinarian to a higher level while also increasing their employability. This service that we provide also helps uplift and celebrate the Chefs and the cuisine of the West Indies. This is an exciting time for our company; The opportunity to share our knowledge and experience throughout the world.
Chef Jeff’s Interview with EKTV
Chef Jeff was interviewed by Eliot Kelly of Eliot Kelly TV (EKTV). Jeff and Eliot discussed Chefs Helping Chefs and how it got started and where it is at today. Enjoy the interview. https://youtu.be/OjrFU6Dyc54
World Certified Master Chef looking for a new position
World Certified Master Chef
World Certified Master Chef looking for a new position
• Highly engaging Corporate Exec Chef with extensive experience in restaurant strategy, finance and, operations from concept to opening.
• Certified Master Chef, Austrian Culinary Arts, and Hospitality; European, Continental & Global Cuisine. Worked alongside with renowned Chefs Paul Bocuse and Wolfgang Puck.
• 22 Years Corp Exec Chef & International Regional Chef USA/international (14 profitable restaurants nationwide)
• Managed 125 cooks, exec chef’s, chef du cuisine for seven restaurants
• Event Planning/Banquet Catering: 5,000 + Guests
• 2 Years Exec Chef, Mandarine Oriental Hotel: $7mm Revenue
• 3 Years Exec Sous Chef, The Breakers: $40 mm Revenue
• Opened two restaurants for Wolfgang Puck Worldwide.
• WIFI (Economic Development Institute) 1992
• 4 Year Apprenticeship 5 Diamond Elisabeth Park Hotel Salzburg
• Silver Medalist International Cooking Olympics, Germany
• Secchia Institute for Culinary Education awarded the American Culinary Federation (ACF), Trainer
For more information email me and I will forward to the Chef.