The ARC Broward Culinary Institute’s Chef Shermika “Chef Mika” Lyons has been appointed President of the Fort Lauderdale American Culinary Federation (ACF), a professional organization for chefs and cooks. In this role, Chef Mika will lead the Fort Lauderdale chapter in providing accredited educational programs, certifications, competitions and networking opportunities to enhance professional growth for local Fort Lauderdale chefs. “It is an honor to be named president of this esteemed network of chefs. As a chef and a teacher, I strive to set a great example for my students and look forward to serving the ACF Fort Lauderdale Chapter by building strong partnerships, growing membership and achieving our goals,” said Chef Mika. Since 2012, Chef Mika has worked as a chef instructor at the ARC Broward Culinary Institute which provides an Entry Level Culinary Arts Certificate program to individuals with developmental disabilities and other various life challenges. In this role, Chef Mika trains each culinary student on the intricacies of sanitary food preparation, basic and advanced food preparation skills and presentation methods. The ARC Broward Culinary Institute offers competitively-priced catering services while providing real-world job training for its students. Chef Mika has been a member of ACF since her entrance into culinary school in 2009 as a student liaison, and became a professional certified chef/culinarian upon graduating from culinary school in 2011. Chef Mika’s term as president of ACF will last two years. Chef Mika was also a resident chef in First Lady Michelle Obama’s Chefs Moves to Schools Healthy Eating Initiative. For more information about the ARC Broward Culinary Institute or for catering inquiries, please visit www.arcbrowardculinary.com or call (954) 746-9400. For information about enrolling in ARC Broward’s Entry Level Culinary Arts Certificate program, please visit www.arcbrowardlearning.com. ABOUT ARC BROWARDIncorporated in 1956, ARC Broward is a nationally accredited, private, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization providing services to children and adults with autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental disabilities, as well as those with various other life challenges. ARC Broward operates three “mission-based” enterprises including the ARC Broward Learning Institute, ARC Broward Culinary Institute and ARC Broward Electronics Recycling Services and provides services through 21 programs in 10 locations across Broward County. By working hand in hand with families, guardians, businesses, civic organizations, donors and funders, encouragement and opportunities that create life-changing outcomes are provided so that people with developmental disabilities and other challenges can live, learn, work and play in their communities. To learn more or to donate visit www.arcbroward.com or call 954-746-9400. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. About The American Culinary Federation, Inc.The American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF), established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in North America. With more than 20,000 members spanning 200 chapters nationwide, ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and programmatic accreditation. In addition, ACF operations the most comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United States, with the Certified Executive Chef, Certified Sous Chef, and Certified Executive Pastry Chef designations the only culinary credentials accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. ACF is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the United States in major international culinary competitions, and to the Chef & Child Foundation, founded in 1989 to promote proper nutrition in children and to combat childhood obesity. For more information, visit www.acfchefs.org. Find ACF on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ACFChefs and on Twitter @ACFChefs.
