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Chapter President
Lance Buchinger CSC
I am honored to serve as President of our American Culinary Federation chapter. My focus is on keeping our chapter engaged, welcoming, and growing while supporting education, mentorship, and hands-on learning. I’m committed to creating a space where seasoned professionals, emerging culinarians, and industry partners can connect, share knowledge, and work together to uphold our craft and shape the future of our profession.
President's Message May 2026
Greetings Chefs,
I hope this message finds you well and inspired as we continue to grow together as culinarians in the American Culinary Federation Flint/Saginaw Valley Chapter.
I’d like to take a moment to recap our March meeting, which was both engaging and highly educational. We had the pleasure of welcoming Ingrid Barrett and Chuck Barrett of Nordic Knife Sharpeners, along with Ingi’s Microgreens. Their demonstration on proper knife care, sharpening techniques, and the importance of maintaining quality tools was invaluable. Paired with fresh, vibrant microgreens, the session reinforced how precision and product quality go hand-in-hand in elevating our craft. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make it a great success.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to invite you to our next meeting:
Monday, May 18th
Hosted at The Brunch Guy
Featuring Chef Jacob Austin and Maria Austin
We’ll also be joined by Al Brandon of Genesee County Farms LLC, who will be showcasing locally grown gourmet mushrooms from his indoor farming operation. This is a great opportunity to explore innovative local sourcing, sustainability, and how specialty ingredients like these can elevate your menus.
I’d also like to highlight an exciting opportunity right here in our home state. The 2026 ACF National Convention will take place June 28 – July 2, 2026 at DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids. This premier annual event hosted by the American Culinary Federation is expected to draw approximately 1,300 to 2,000 culinary professionals, including executive chefs, educators, and students from across the country. With competitions, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and industry showcases, this is an incredible chance to engage with the broader culinary community without leaving Michigan. I strongly encourage members to consider attending.
As always, our meetings are a chance to connect, learn, and strengthen our culinary community. Whether you’re looking to refine your skills, discover new ingredients, or network with fellow chefs, we encourage you to attend and be part of the conversation.
We look forward to seeing you on May 18th.
Warm regards,
Lance Buchinger, CSC
President, ACF Flint/Saginaw Valley Chapter
Contact
If you have any ideas, question, or comments. Let's connect.
(989) 450-1912