Celebrity Chef Cat Cora Becomes First Female Inducted into The Culinary Hall of Fame

ORLANDO, Fla., July 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Culinary icon, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Cat Cora, was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs® (AAC®) Hall of Fame on July 15th in Orlando, FL as the 2012 Celebrated Chef. Cora is the first female chef to ever receive this recognition by the American Culinary Federation.  This continues Cora's reputation as a groundbreaking female in the once male dominated world of cuisine, first established by her role as Iron Chef.

Since 2007, the AAC® has named one Celebrated Chef annually for their contributions to the culinary world and this year Cora's dedication and passion for the profession garnered her this distinguished title. She shares this with an incredible list of past recipients including Charlie Palmer, James Beard and Thomas Keller.

"I am honored and humbled to accept this prestigious award and to join such an esteemed group of past honorees," said Cora. "ACF members represent the highest achievements in culinary excellence and for me to be chosen as the first female chef to be inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame is truly a highlight of my career."

Making television history in 2005 as the first and only female Iron Chef on Food Network's "Iron Chef America," Cora has become one of the most recognizable names in the industry.  Her achievements and success continue to pave the way for female chefs around the world.

Cora is the co-host of Bravo's competition cooking show, "Around the World in 80 Plates," the owner of four restaurants, an author of two cookbooks and a contributing editor to O, the Oprah Magazine. Cora is also the creator of Cat Cora by Starfrit, a line of eco-friendly cookware and Cat Cora's Kitchen by Gaea, her own line of healthy products that embody the Mediterranean lifestyle.

Cora's contributions go beyond the kitchen as the founder and president Chefs for Humanity, her charity that is dedicated to preventing hunger, reducing obesity and providing help to those in emergency conditions.

For interview or image requests please contact: Jackie Feldman at Fifteen Minutes, [email protected] 

About the American Culinary Federation

The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in North America. With more than 20,000 members spanning more than 200 chapters nationwide, ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and programmatic accreditation. In addition, ACF operates the most comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United States, with the Certified Executive Chef® and Certified Sous 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.

SOURCE Cat Cora