News Archive

Chapter Awards

Chef of the Year Recipients

Junior Culinarian of the Year Recipients

Purveyor of the Year Recipient

Chapter Community Service

Chef Dave Siano Wins Community Service Award

Chef Dave is a true community servant, dedicated to doing good deeds and serving his fellow man! He won the highest employee award given by Horseshoe Casino for community service & received $1000 and a commemorative gift. Click here to read Chef Dave's nomination letter from Horseshoe Casino's Communications Manager, Shelby Curry.

Highlights of Annual “Chef Of The Year” Dinner 2007

January 16, 2007 - Briar Ridge Country Club - Schererville, IN

Chef Of The Year Tim Merkel - Giovanni's St John, IN Chef
Junior Culinarian Of The Year Megan Kosina Harrah's Casino Joliet, IL
Purveyor Of The Year Gordon Food Service of Greater NW Indiana
John Melby Scholarship Recipient Billie Ross Blue - An American Restaurant Valparaiso, IN
ACF Membership Recognition Service Pins
10 Years Michelle Meeks Alice Piekforel
Presidental Award Recipients Jack Mix - Comforts Catering Jim Galligan - Long Beach Country Club
Jr. Memeber Incentive Program Angela Nipple
Special Thanks To Chef Host Scott Farrell and Staff at Briar Ridge Country Club!

Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana to Host 6th Annual Dine with the Chefs Gala 2007

Chefs from across the region will gather Sunday, March 11th, at Avalon Manor in Merrillville to serve a seven-course feast to benefit Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana. The 6th Annual Dine with the Chefs Gala begins at 11:00 am with hors d’oeuvres and sunrise cocktails (a.k.a. mimosas and Bloody Mary’s). Guests can peruse the Silent Auction on display while enjoying the musical talents of String Fever. After the featured chefs are presented to the crowd, dinner begins at 12:30 p.m. Event Chairman is Chef Jim Galligan, Executive Chef for Long Beach Country Club, and Times columnist Phil Potempa will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Still putting the final touches on the recipes for the day, the featured chefs represent a variety of local country clubs, casinos, restaurants and caterers. Many of the chefs are members of the ACF – American Culinary Federation, Chefs of Northwest Indiana. They donate all the ingredients, time and talent to prepare an epicurean delight! Nearly 85% of the proceeds from the event benefit Meals on Wheels program because of their donations. “The chefs only collaborate on a few occasions throughout the year so this is always a fun event for us,” stated Chef Jim Galligan. “We’re happy to support a local program that so many families are dependent upon.” Some of last year’s dishes included Shrimp Bisque Soup, Australian Lamb Rack and Black Forest Torte. Attendees are warned to come with a very empty stomach to this 3-4 hour feeding frenzy!

Still facing a $650,000 deficit for their new facility located at 8446 Virginia Street in Merrillville, Meals on Wheels has designated their proceeds from the fundraiser to benefit the Building Campaign. Meals on Wheels provides home-delivered meals to elderly, ill and disabled clients throughout Northwest Indiana, including meal service to adult and child day care centers. “Our Chefs Gala offers a great opportunity to partake in an incredible meal that will ultimately provide nourishment to others,” stated Melissa Castle-Kirincic, MOW Community Relations Director.

Ticket price is $100 per guest and sponsorships are available. Platinum Sponsorship of $1,500 includes a table of 8 tickets and a full page ad in the recipe keepsake program. Gold Sponsorship includes 4 tickets, a half page ad in the program and is valued at $1000. Diamond Sponsorship of $500 includes 2 tickets and an acknowledgement in the program. Sponsors to date include Horseshoe Casino, NIPSCO, Strack & Van Til, MainSource Bank, The Wease Family Foundation, Centier Bank, St. Anthony Medical Center, First Midwest Bank and Rohder Machine.

For more information, call Melissa at 219/756-FOOD. Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, Inc., is a member agency of the Lake Area United Way. In 2006, Meals on Wheels prepared a total of 298,727 meals and served nearly 1,200 people daily with the help from 825 volunteers.

Featured Chefs for the event are the following…

Jim Galligan and Mitch Hogge, Long Beach Country Club

David Siano and Diego Burgos, Horseshoe Casino - Hammond

Glenn Brooks, Genesis Center

Pete Jeschke, Harrah’s Casino – Joliet

Jack Mix, Comfort’s Catering

Joe Trama, Center for Visual and Performing Arts

Joshua Barth, Michael Haas and Mike Zubay, Resorts East Chicago

Polo Sanchez, The Avalon Manor

Cheryl Molenda, The Inn at Aberdeen

Nico Luna, Villa de Bruno

Scott Farrell, Briar Ridge Country Club

Tim Merkel, Giovanni’s Restaurant

Elida Abeyta, Terry Zych and Jo Anne Garvey, Ivy Tech State College

Ivy Tech is also represented by Instructors Rick Delby, Dawn Hartman and Beverly Seleb and Culinary Students.

3rd Annual ACF Chefs of NWI Golf Outing

September 18, 2006
Turkey Creek Golf Course – Merrillville

Highlights of Annual “Chef Of The Year” Dinner 2006

10 Year Anniversary Celebration Of The Chefs Of Northwest Indiana
January 16, 2006 - Sand Creek Country Club - Chesterton, IN

ACF Membership Recognition Service Pins

Click here to read press coverage highlighting this fabulous event!