Food is sport, especially at the IKA/Culinary Olympics. Chef Stafford DeCambra, President of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) has brought home 11 gold medals. Recently, Chef Jaime Laurita and I had a pop-up Kitchen Chat with Chef DeCambra at Middleby's booth at the National Restaurant Show.

ACF is celebrating its 90th birthday this year. Founded in 1929 by a group of chefs, ACF certifies the chefs at all levels, including Master Chefs. In addition, ACF provides culinary schools with accreditation. Having grown up in Oahu, Chef DeCambra's key life ingredients are Ohana and Mana.

Ohana is the special Hawaiian word for family and Mana means spiritual energy. He truly exemplifies the Spirit of Aloha, which is hospitality and graciousness.