| There are many different culinary industry | | | | suggestion to espouse the philosophy, ideals and |
| associations for all types of chefs and for the | | | | practices of James Beard, the father of American |
| food service world in general. These culinary | | | | gastronomy. |
| organizations can serve as great resources | | | | 5. |
| whether you are a professional chef, a head chef, | | | | National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, |
| an aspiring chef, a culinary student or any other | | | | Inc: The NASFT has 19,000 members including |
| player in the gastronomic industry. The following | | | | manufacturers, distributors, importers, brokers, |
| are considered to be the top 10 culinary | | | | foreign government offices and other suppliers of |
| organizations in food-industry circles: | | | | specialty foods. |
| 1. | | | | 6. |
| The American Institute of Wine & Food: This | | | | National Restaurant Association: This is the |
| educational nonprofit organization is dedicated to | | | | definitive membership-based business association |
| the pleasures, benefits and traditions of the table, | | | | in the restaurant industry with more than 30,000 |
| with 31 chapters in the U.S. as well as a chapter in | | | | members representing more than 175,000 |
| France. | | | | restaurants since 1923. |
| 2. | | | | 7. |
| Chefs Collaborative: A national network of more | | | | New York Women's Culinary Alliance: The |
| than 1,000 food community members supporting | | | | NYWCA promotes cooperation and education |
| sustainable cuisine through local, seasonal and | | | | among women in the food industry. |
| artisanal cooking. | | | | 8. |
| 3. | | | | Roundtable for Women in Foodservice: For 17 |
| International Association of Culinary Professionals: | | | | years the RWF has organized foodservice |
| This 30-year-old group is one of the largest | | | | professionals while providing educational, mentoring |
| culinary industry associations, with more than | | | | and networking opportunities to enhance the |
| 4,000 members in 32 countries. It is a nonprofit | | | | development and visibility of women. There are |
| professional association that provides continuing | | | | 10 U.S. chapters. |
| education and professional development and | | | | 9. |
| sponsors the annual IACP Cookbook Awards, | | | | Slow Food: This is the largest of all the culinary |
| among other things. | | | | organizations in the world. They are committed to |
| 4. | | | | supporting and promoting quality food and |
| The James Beard Foundation: This nonprofit | | | | beverage patrimony. |
| organization was founded in 1985 on Julia Child's | | | | 10. |