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Mission Statement
The American Culinary Federation Upper Michigan Chapter
shall be a professional club dedicated to the promotion of Culinarians, the Hospitality Industry, and the Culinary Arts.
This Chapter shall strive to make our industry an honorable profession through education and example. We shall also be a
social club dedicated to the art of good living.
UP CHAPTER BOARD
President - Derek Estes, CEC
Northern Michigan University
Vice President - Aiden MacDonald, CEC
Northern Michigan University
Chairman of the Board - Eric Juchemich
Secretary - Alexandria Palzewicz
Northwoods Test Kitchen - Barrel + Beam
Treasurer - David Cotanche
Yoop Coop
Sergeant At Arms - Christopher Durley
The Courtyards; Home of Second Line T-Boys and Tapas
Student Board Member - Trixie Maguran Jacobson
Northern Michigan University, Hospitality Program
Trustee - Christopher P. Sturzl, CEC, CCE
Trustee - Jon G. Lasalle
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MEMBERS
David Cotanche
Yoop Coop
Matthew Dunaj, CEC
Department of Corrections
Christopher Durley
The Courtyards; Home of Second Line T-Boys and Tapas
Donald Durley
Lagniappe Cajun Creole Eatery
Nichole Durley-Rust, CEC
Lagniappe Cajun Creole Eatery
Derek Estes, CEC
Northern Michigan University
Loganne Glendening
Northern Michigan University
Alden MacDonald, CEC
Northern Michigan University
Eric Juchemich
Eric Karvonen, CEC
Michigan Tech University
Jon G. LaSalle,
Enthusiast
Dan Lynch
Northern Michigan University
Nathan Mileski, CEC
Border Grill
Alexandria Palzewicz
Northwoods Test Kitchen Barrel and Beam
Jeremy Pomeroy, CEC
Zachary Schroeder
Les Cheneaux Culinary School
Chris Sturzl, CEC, CCE
Angela Verburg
Focus Restaurant Concepts, Angela's Food Adventures
Thomas Wahlstrom, CEC
Elizabeths Chophouse
Chadd Wellman, CEC
Laurette Group
Micheal Sprague
Shane Sizemore
Erin turner
Angela Verburg
Trixie Maguran Jacobson
Thomas Mochel
Previous Chef of the Year Winners
1992 - Don Durley
1994 - Robin Holmes, CEC
1997 - Nathan D. Mileski, CEC
2001 - Eric Juchemich
2002 - Nathan D. Mileski, CEC
2005 - Robin Holmes, CEC
2006 - Todd LaFave
2007 Mike Chapman, CCC
2008 - Jeremy Pomeroy, CEC
2009 - Tom Wahlstrom, CEC
2010 - Nathan D. Mileski, CEC
2011 - Chad Wellman
2012 - Eric Juchemich
2013 - James Smiljanich, CSC
2014 - Nichole Durley, CEC
2015 - Robin Holmes, CEC
2016 - Jeremy Pomeroy, CEC, ACE
2017 - Christopher Sturzl, CEC, CCE, CSCE, ACE
2018 - Eric Juchemich
2019 - Angela Verburg
2021 - Christopher Durley