ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., July 20, 2007—The American Academy of Chefs (AAC), the honor society of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), inducted Tracy Griffith, sushi chef at Rika Restaurant, West Hollywood, Calif., into the AAC as an Honorary Fellow during a formal ceremony and dinner at the 2007 ACF National Convention, July 21-24 in Orlando.

Honorary AAC Fellows are exemplary culinarians or foodservice industry partners who have dedicated many years of service to the promotion of the culinary profession, the ACF and the American Culinary Federation Foundation. Griffith was one of only six individuals inducted this year. In addition, she was given an ACF honorary membership.

Griffith is the author of Sushi American Style, (Clarkson Potter, 2004). After graduating from the California Sushi Academy in Los Angeles, she became the featured sushi chef at Tsunami's restaurant in Beverly Hills, Calif.

In addition, Griffith is an actress and singer. Her acting credits include the daytime TV soap "Guiding Light," and feature films "The Good Mother" with Diane Keaton and Liam Neeson, "The Finest Hour" with Rob Lowe and "Crazy in Alabama" with her sister Melanie Griffith.

The AAC, which recognizes those individuals who have made significant contributions to both the culinary profession and ACF, was established in 1955 at the ACF national convention in Pittsburgh. Those credited with its founding include the legendary Pierre Berard, Peter Berrini and Paul Laesecke, AAC, HOF.

The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in America. With more than 19,000 members spanning 230 chapters nationwide, ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and accreditation. In addition, ACF operates the only comprehensive certification program for chefs in the U.S.

ACF is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the United States in major international culinary competitions, and also holds the presidium for the World Association of Chefs Societies, the largest international network of chef associations, with more than 8 million members globally.

Contact: Patricia Carroll
(904) 824-4468, ext. 147
pcarroll@acfchefs.net