ACF Flint / Saginaw Valley Chapter
Serving Mid-Michigan Chefs, Cooks and Bakers since 1986
Chef Robert Zehnder
Chef Robert Zehnder 
A brief history of my career in the foodservice industry:
I started working at Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth as a dishworker when I was 16, although I had been in and around the restaurant as long as I can remember. In 1996, I graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Business. As a student, I worked for college foodservice and later as a barista and supervisor at the original Beaner’s Coffee, (now Bigbee Coffee) in East Lansing. As a student at MSU, I was fortunate enough to have Chef Robert Nelson as an instructor. Besides my father, John Zehnder, Chef Nelson was one of my greatest mentors. He was my sponsor as a student member of the Capital Area Chef’s Association, my first ACF chapter in 1995. After college, I managed several different Einstein Bagel stores in Metro Detroit. In 1999, I found an opportunity to return to Zehnder’s as a member of the kitchen management team where I have been ever since. I have had several roles within this team over the years. I have managed the Main Kitchen, Z Chef’s Café and most recently, Elf Hollow Café at Zehnder’s Splash Village.
Over the years, I have tried to be as active within the chapter as my schedule allows. I just ended my second term as Chapter Secretary. This past summer, I helped Phil with the food booth the chapter sponsored for the 4th of July Celebration in Frankenmuth. I have helped haul the equipment and supplies for the Junior Chapter Brat stand for Autofest multiple times. I have been involved in the set up of the chapter’s Hot Food Competition and have been either a competitor or a judge for the past nine years. At the ACF Hot Food Competition I have won 2 Gold medals, a Silver, a Bronze, a Best of Show, a 2nd Place Best of Show and 2 People’s Choice awards. I have volunteered and given a demo at the Flint Farmer’s Market. I have had the great opportunity to attend several regional and national ACF conventions in recent years. Most recently, I attended the regional convention in New Orleans this spring. I have represented the chapter every spring for the past 11 years by volunteering at Michigan State University’s Les Gourmets as a Guest Chef/ Mentor. This is an annual fundraiser black tie event that raises scholarship funds for The School of Hospitality Business at MSU. For this service, I have become an honorary faculty member at MSU.
My wife, Fran, and I have 2 kids. Jack is 2 and Caroline was born in October. When I’m not trying to catch up on sleep, I like to spend time with my family, watch Tigers games and attempt projects around the house.
I am honored to be nominated as Chapter Chef of the Year and I appreciate your consideration.
I started working at Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth as a dishworker when I was 16, although I had been in and around the restaurant as long as I can remember. In 1996, I graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Business. As a student, I worked for college foodservice and later as a barista and supervisor at the original Beaner’s Coffee, (now Bigbee Coffee) in East Lansing. As a student at MSU, I was fortunate enough to have Chef Robert Nelson as an instructor. Besides my father, John Zehnder, Chef Nelson was one of my greatest mentors. He was my sponsor as a student member of the Capital Area Chef’s Association, my first ACF chapter in 1995. After college, I managed several different Einstein Bagel stores in Metro Detroit. In 1999, I found an opportunity to return to Zehnder’s as a member of the kitchen management team where I have been ever since. I have had several roles within this team over the years. I have managed the Main Kitchen, Z Chef’s Café and most recently, Elf Hollow Café at Zehnder’s Splash Village.
Over the years, I have tried to be as active within the chapter as my schedule allows. I just ended my second term as Chapter Secretary. This past summer, I helped Phil with the food booth the chapter sponsored for the 4th of July Celebration in Frankenmuth. I have helped haul the equipment and supplies for the Junior Chapter Brat stand for Autofest multiple times. I have been involved in the set up of the chapter’s Hot Food Competition and have been either a competitor or a judge for the past nine years. At the ACF Hot Food Competition I have won 2 Gold medals, a Silver, a Bronze, a Best of Show, a 2nd Place Best of Show and 2 People’s Choice awards. I have volunteered and given a demo at the Flint Farmer’s Market. I have had the great opportunity to attend several regional and national ACF conventions in recent years. Most recently, I attended the regional convention in New Orleans this spring. I have represented the chapter every spring for the past 11 years by volunteering at Michigan State University’s Les Gourmets as a Guest Chef/ Mentor. This is an annual fundraiser black tie event that raises scholarship funds for The School of Hospitality Business at MSU. For this service, I have become an honorary faculty member at MSU.
My wife, Fran, and I have 2 kids. Jack is 2 and Caroline was born in October. When I’m not trying to catch up on sleep, I like to spend time with my family, watch Tigers games and attempt projects around the house.
I am honored to be nominated as Chapter Chef of the Year and I appreciate your consideration.
