San Diego Chapter National Association of Catering Executives sdnace.org San Diego

July 2005

President's Message
Summer 2005
by Tracey Amernick, CPCE

Our annual NACE Educational Conference is right around the corner in Orlando, Florida from July 10-13. It's a great way to experience education at it’s finest, attend seminars featuring the latest trends, network with over 600 members of our industry, and get out at night for a little fun. If you want any further information, go to the national website - www.nace.net. Several San Diego chapter members are attending, we promise to share what we learn!

CPCE Update - I am proud to report that after meeting every Monday evening for the last five months, six of us finally took the CPCE exam! (Special thanks to Judy Anderson, CPCE for hosting us at the Holiday Inn on the Bay). Congratulations Nancy Changnon - Baron, Angie Kemp, Sandy Maurin, Chris Agrippe, CPCE and Judy Anderson, CPCE for your dedication, and a special thank you to Marcy Seibert - Melley for proctoring. The test took almost 5 hours to complete and we are awaiting results. A second study group is in the works for this fall, which will meet at the Bahia Resort Hotel on a weekly basis…details to be announced in August. With the "CPCE" designation after your name on a business card, you have a distinct advantage over most other caterers, and the added knowledge to make a difference in your business. The exam is given 3 times a year at NACE National Conferences, but our certified chapter CPCE’s can proctor the exam in San Diego.

We would like to see at least 10 members in this new study group. Please call Judy Anderson, CPCE or myself if you are interested. Also, your board has voted to acquire a second set of NACE library books to be available for members to check out in preparation for the Exam. 50% of all major fundraising efforts for the remainder of 2005 will be put aside to purchase books. Quick note: we need all of the books back that were loaned out in February!

With September elections only a few months away, I want to touch on the Board’s responsibilities and encourage "a few good people" to join our board! Some of our current Board members will choose to run again, and there will also be a few vacancies to fill. You may want to run for a position or join a committee. Don’t underestimate your ability to become a leader! Information about elections, eligibility requirements and the respective board positions will be posted in the near future. What follows is a brief synopsis of our positions. Vice President Judy Anderson, CPCE acts as the "client" when booking our monthly NACE events. She works closely with the hosting venue insuring, menu, beverage, guarantees; decor and equipment needs are met. She’s the "go to" person and books our monthly NACE dinners up to one and a half years out. If anyone has a location or suggestion for a meeting location, she’s the one to call!

Treasurer Anna Maria SanFilippo maintains our financial records, accounts receivable and payable, and reconciles all transactions after every event. She handles credit cards, cash and checks, and makes sure the money’s in the bank.

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Our July Meeting
San Diego NACE Holds the Ultimate Summer Cookout
by Chris Agrippe, CPCE

Click for pictures from July, 2005 Picnic

By all accounts, our July meeting was probably one of the best summer celebrations of the season, and one of our most popular formats. Held outdoors at the Barnes Tennis Center, NACE members, their guests and families were treated to scrumptious food prepared by the legendary off-prem team from The French Gourmet, and tunes by Barry Allen Cohen’s Steel Drum Band.

Can the French do good barbeque? The answer from everyone in attendance was a resounding YES! Amidst the tropical beat and fresh breezes filled with wonderful cooking aromas, we enjoyed delicious Chili Verde Quiche, Chilled Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Greek Vine Ripe Tomato Salad, and carved right off the grill Tri-Tip Sirloin, Cilantro Marinated Thresher Shark, and Moroccan Chicken. In addition, Michele made all of the standard summer accompaniments a bit more special by adding his sophisticated style... and just when we thought we couldn’t eat another bite, his desserts were cool and refreshing fresh Strawberries with Sabayon and Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie.

Our goal for the evening was networking and relaxation, and everyone obviously tried their very best to do their part. It was casual and easy-going from start to finish... ice cold beer was provided by Arlan Arnsten of Stone Brewing Company, the sun was out, the weather perfect, and we all enjoyed being able to just chat and catch up while our kids had a blast! There was a big tennis match between Arlan & Michel…neither one got hurt, and who knows who won.

It was a tremendous success and we’ve received such positive feedback, that we plan on making this an annual chapter event... next year promises to be bigger, and better, and Michele already says that he’s cooking again!

Community Service Update 2005
by Geneene Thornton

Your community service committee created several opportunities to provide some happiness for San Diego:

April - Clothing Drive - we continued our clothing drive and asked all SDNACE members to get into their closets and donate any mens or womens gently used business clothes to the "From Welfare to Work Program".

March - "Bunnies for Babes" — SDNACE delivered 131 stuffed bunnies to The Polinsky's Children Center in time for Easter

New Members in 2005

Cade Fulton-Centerplate