Executive Chef Jeff King and Pastry Chef Chuck Stepanovich of the Milwaukee Club placed first in a recent American Culinary Federation (ACF) Mystery Basket Competition in Milwaukee.

King and Stepanovich created and executed a sophisticated four-course meal, earning the only ACF Gold Medal awarded at the competition.

The 10th annual ACF Mystery Basket Competition was held at the Wisconsin Restaurant Expo, the largest regional foodservice industry trade show in the Midwest. The prestigious Mystery Basket event features teams of chefs preparing 12 servings of a four-course meal from a “mystery basket” of ingredients that is not revealed until the competition begins.

Another ACF culinary competition was held at the Wisconsin Restaurant Expo: the 4th annual Contemporary Competition. In this competition, individual chefs prepare two portions of a “signature dish” with accompaniments. The recipe and photo are submitted one week prior to the competition. On the day of the competition, chefs have just one hour to prepare their dishes.

RC Schroeder, Jr., Certified Executive Chef of the Heidel House Resort in Green Lake won first place in the Contemporary Competition. His Skillet-Seared Spiced Red Snapper with Butter Poached Shrimp, Ham and Sausage Risotto, Sweet Red Pepper Sauce, Roast Mirlitons, and Wilted Spinach with Apple Smoked Bacon, Honey Pecan Glazed Carrots, and Fried Okra earned him first place and an ACF Gold Medal.

Schroeder also won first place in the 2nd annual Cold Food Competition. In this event, chefs prepare beautifully designed appetizers, entrees and desserts that are presented on platters and mirrors. The entries are coated in an aspic glaze to preserve their shape and color while on display, and are judged on presentation, craftsmanship and artistry.

Nearly 40 chefs from seven states participated in the three competitions. Overall, four gold medals, nine silver medals, fifteen bronze medals and seven culinary diplomas were awarded. Top competitors received cash awards in addition to their ACF medals.

Mystery Basket Competition Second Place (ACF Silver Medal)
RC Schroeder, Jr., CEC and Larry London, CEC, of the Heidel House Resort in Green Lake, WI

Mystery Basket Competition Third Place (ACF Silver Medal)
John Johnson and Paul Short of Madison Area Technical College

Contemporary Competition Second Place (ACF Gold Medal)
Timothy Bucci, CEC, CCE, of the Cooking & Hospitality Institute in Chicago

Contemporary Competition Third Place (ACF Gold Medal)
Jamie Boelhower of the Tuckaway Country Club in Franklin, WI

Cold Food Competition Second Place (ACF Silver Medal)
Larry London, CEC, of the Heidel House Resort in Green Lake, WI

Cold Food Competition Third Place (ACF Diploma)
Joseph Trama of the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in St. John, IN

ACF culinary competitions such as the Mystery Basket and the Contemporary Competition are held to promote the professional image of American chefs worldwide and to encourage the sharing of culinary techniques and developments.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT COMPETING, OR TO REQUEST PHOTOS,
PLEASE CONTACT TRACY KOSBAU AT 800-589-3211.

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Since 1933, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association has been dedicated to the promotion, protection and improvement of the foodservice industry.