In 1995 Chef Muhammad Siddiqi and Chef Debra Ward saw a future for and American Culinary Federation Chapter in Northwest Indiana They wanted to include the area between Chicago and South Bend and north of Indianapolis. Both Chef Siddiqui and Chef Ward had been associated with other ACF chapters around the country, and now were both working in Northwest Indiana.
After conducting several preliminary meetings in the fall of 1995, the chapter organizing papers were submitted and the ACF Chefs of Northwest Indiana was born.
The first official Northwest Indiana chapter meeting was held January, 1996 at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton with 17 chapter members present. During this meeting the first Board of Directors was elected as follows:
President, Jim Galligan Sous Chef, Sand Creek Country Club
Vice President, Philippe Joseph Chef, Innsbrook Country Club
Secretary, Cathy Smith, Sous Chef Sand Creek Country Club
Treasurer, Kathy Newman, Private Chef.
The Goal of the Northwest Indiana ACF Chapter is to make people aware of the organization and the culinary profession in general. The chapter reaches out to fellow culinarians letting the know about ACF membership benefits: networking, monthly meetings, certification programs and tools for success for both cooks and chefs.
As of early 2026 the ACF Chefs of Northwest Indiana Education Foundation has been recognized as a 501 (c) (3) non for profit education foundation, which works extensively with students and programs throughout Northwest Indiana, including many schools and career centers that serve economically disadvantaged and low-to-moderate-income communities.
Our educational efforts focus heavily on workforce development and career readiness through culinary education. We provide scholarships, mentorship opportunities, hands-on training, and competition experiences that help students pursue career pathways within the hospitality and culinary industries. Many of the students we assist are seeking vocational opportunities that can lead directly to long-term employment and economic stability.
In addition, our foundation collaborates with several local civic and nonprofit organizations, including food assistance and community outreach programs, where we support initiatives that directly benefit underserved populations throughout the region. Some of the civic groups we partner throughout the year include Meals on Wheels of NWI, Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Mental Health of America, Service League of Northwest Indiana, The SHARE Foundation, Hospice of the Calumet Area and Northwest Indiana Food Council.
About Us
The American Culinary Federation (ACF), Inc., was founded in 1929 as a professional not-for-profit organization for chefs and cooks. Founded by three existing Chef organizations, the Société Culinaire Philanthropique, the Vatel Club and the Chefs Association of America, the organizations principal goal is to promote the professional image of American Chefs worldwide through education among culinarians at all levels, from apprentices to the most accomplished Certified Master Chefs.
ACF is the largest and most prestigious organization dedicated to professional chefs in the United Stated today. The ACF Chefs of Northwest Indiana is one chapter of 140 with over 14,000 members throughout North America.
