Chef Shawn Loving, Department Chair of Schoolcraft College’s Culinary Arts program, Earns Certified Master Chef (CMC) Designation from American Culinary Federation
Chef Loving One of Only 68 CMC’s in the Nation
LIVONIA, Mich. - Chef Shawn Loving, department chair of Schoolcraft College’s Culinary Arts program, was named a Certified Master Chef by the American Culinary Federation after passing ACF’s rigorous exam held Sept. 30 through Oct. 7 at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Mich. The ultimate test of culinary skill, knowledge and creativity, the exam showcased the talents of 10 culinarians seeking the title of CMC, the highest level of certification in the U.S. that a chef can receive.
The ACF Certified Master Chef designation currently belongs to just 68 CMCs and 10 Certified Master Pastry Chefs (CMPCs). To apply for the exam, candidates must already be a Certified Executive Chef or Certified Culinary Educator, provide two letters of recommendation from current CMCs or CMPCs, and have completed education courses on sanitation and food safety, management, cost management and wine.
During the progressive eight-day exam, Loving and the other candidates were tested on healthy cooking, buffet catering, classical cuisine, freestyle cooking, global cuisine, baking and pastry, continental and Northern European cuisines, and “market basket,” a mystery basket of ingredients from which to prepare a five-course meal. Each candidate needed to maintain an average of 75 out of 100 points each day. Scores are tallied based on kitchen skills, plate presentation and taste.
“The American Culinary Federation is proud to honor our 2017 class of Certified Master Chefs,” said ACF National President Stafford DeCambra, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC. “The skill, creativity and discipline called for by the exam are considerable, and the experience gained is invaluable to the chefs themselves and to the culinarians they mentor. We are inspired by their commitment to the culinary arts and congratulate them on an extraordinary achievement.”
In addition to Loving, Schoolcraft College’s Culinary Arts program currently boasts two other CMC faculty members (Jeffrey Gabriel, CMC, and Brian Beland, CMC) and one Certified Master Pastry Chef (Joseph Decker, CMPC). In addition, two recently retired Schoolcraft Instructors in the program are CMCs (Kevin Gawronski and Dan Hugelier) who served as adjudicators for the exam. The college’s culinary arts program has a national reputation for quality, creativity and culinary excellence, and is home to one of the most advanced teaching kitchens in the country.
Loving has been a Schoolcraft College instructor since 2002 and is currently the Culinary Arts Department Chair. Formerly, he was owner of the popular Loving Spoonful Restaurant in Farmington Hills, Mich.
Chef Loving is the USA Olympic Basketball Team Chef and has been the in-flight team Chef for the Detroit Pistons. He also was the recipient of the Lawrence P. Doss Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2002. Previously, he was Chef for Epcot Center at Walt Disney World and at Euro Disney. Chef Loving also is a private personal chef for Nike Sport commercials via selected athletes.
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