Master Chef Jilleba Receives Chair's Award

Steven Jilleba, CMC, CCE, AAC, corporate executive chef for Unilever Food Solutions in Lisle, Ill., has been honored with the American Academy of Chefs (AAC) Chair’s Medal—the highest award granted by the organization. Chef Jilleba received the medal at the annual AAC induction ceremony during the 2008 American Culinary Federation (ACF) convention held in Las Vegas earlier this month.

Recognized for his commitment to mentoring young chefs, specifically for his ongoing work with the ACF Culinary Youth Team USA, for which he has been manager since 2001, Chef Jilleba finds it necessary to give back to the industry. “Throughout my career, I’ve always had people to learn from and many mentors. It’s time for me to give back,” he said. Looking forward to the October Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung (IKA) International Culinary Art Competition, commonly referred to as the “culinary Olympics,” held in Germany, where 2,000 chefs from more than 40 countries will compete for gold, Chef Jilleba isn’t taking much time to celebrate his award. “It’s great, but it’s not about the award. It makes me feel good, but makes me want to keep doing what I’m doing.”

The Chair’s Medal is bestowed annually upon an Academy Fellow (member) who has demonstrated exemplary dedication and has made outstanding contributions to the culinary profession. This individual has also maintained the high standards and ideals of the AAC and has worked to ensure excellence among future culinarians.

As the honor society of ACF, induction into AAC is a valuable recognition of excellence for chefs from their peers. Applicants to the organization must have an Academy Fellow recommendation and have fulfilled a minimum of ten elective, attainable goals prior to submission of the application. Current AAC Chair is Thomas J. Macrina, CEC, CCE, AAC, executive chef at Desmond Great Valley Hotel and Conference Center in Malvern, Pa. To learn more about the AAC as well as ACF, visit www.acfchefs.org .

Chef Jilleba has served as corporate executive chef for Unilever Food Solutions for 10 years. Prior to this position, Chef Jilleba worked as executive chef at various hotels, country clubs, resorts and fine dining establishments. Additionally, Chef Jilleba has competed—and earned gold medals—in several international culinary competitions. As the ACF Culinary Competition Committee Chairman, Chef Jilleba is a highly respected member of the Federation, helping supervise sanctioned culinary competitions across the globe. To learn more about Chef Jilleba and Unilever Food Solutions, visit click here.