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James F Connolly

Chef Spotlight

featuring

Chef James F. Connolly

CEC CCA WCEC AAC

With over five decades in the hospitality industry, my culinary journey has taken me across a wide spectrum of food service sectors — from upscale casual and fine dining to catering, conference centers, senior living communities, and contract services. I began humbly as a dishwasher in a small family-owned restaurant, steadily rising through the ranks as cook, sous chef, executive chef, general manager, and eventually national accounts executive chef.

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Today, I proudly serve as the Corporate Executive Chef for a $250 million contract food service company within the CCL-HG super sector of Compass-USA. In this role, I oversee the Northeast Senior Living and Hospital divisions for both Unidine and Morrison Living communities.

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I'm a certified Executive Chef and Culinary Administrator through the American Culinary Federation, a Fellow of the American Academy of Chefs, and have served multiple terms as Certification and Competition Chair.

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In 2019, I established a Unidine property membership with the ACF, which has since grown to 135 members and successfully merged into Morrison Living’s membership. Beyond the kitchen, I remain committed to giving back — actively supporting causes such as the Jimmy D Golf Outing for culinary scholarships, Toys for Tots, the Seafood Festival, and My Brother’s Table food pantry.

Biography of Professional Interests

  • Active member Epicurean Club of Boston — ACF (American Culinary Federation) 1981
     

  • Certified Working Chef w/ Epicurean Club of Boston / ACF 1991
     

  • Certified Executive Chef w/ Epicurean Club of Boston and ACF —   1995-present (CEC certification)
     

  • Approved Certification Evaluator and Administrator w/ ACF  ( ACE certification)
     

  • Approved Site Evaluator for ACF Accreditations for Education, Apprenticed and Professional programs. ACFEF
     

  • Past President for Epicurean Club of Boston for two terms 2016-2020
     

  • Chairperson of the Board, ECB 2020 -2024
     

  • Inducted as a fellow of the AAC in July 2012
     

  • “Chef of the Year” Chapter award for 2012 Epicurean Club of Boston
     

  • Certified as a Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA) October 2012
     

  • Chairman for certification committee for the Epicurean Club of Boston — 2000 to 2015
     

  • Advisory board member for Shawsheen Technical HS Culinary and Pastry Arts department, 1977 to present
     

  • Professional advisory board member for Le Cordon Blue college in Cambridge, Mass 2010 to closing
     

  • Mentor for culinary students from local culinary programs, both HS and post-secondary
     

  • Participated in ACF sanctioned culinary competitions receiving multiple medals, citations, and certificates, including a bronze medal in national cooking for life competition in Dallas, TX. 2012

  • Recipient of National “Cutting Edge Award” from the ACF for professionalism in the culinary industry, 2011
     

  • Finalist for 2011 Chef’s Professionalism award for New England
     

  • Founder and co-chair of the Chef and the Child Committee, 2012 to 2020
     

  • Recipient of Northeast Regional ACF “Chef's Professionalism Award” 2013
     

  • Recipient of National ACF Dr. LJ Minor “Chef's Professionalism Award” 2013
     

  • Recipient of Epicurean Club of Boston’s “President's Medallion” 2014
     

  • Nominated for Herman Rusch “Chef's Achievement” award Northeast region 2015, 2021 and 2023 with ACF
     

  • Member of the ACF National Parliamentarian Committee to represent the Northeast Region.
     

  • Member of Professional Ethics committee 2023- present
     

  • President's Medallion, ACF National from Tom Macrina in 2016
     

  • Committee for National ACF Ethics Committee, July 2016 to 2018 term.

  • Certified Dual Role Serv-Safe instructor and proctor for NRA 60 certifications in 2023

  • Presently working on CDM certification (Certified Dietary Manager) expected completion 2024
     

  • Chairperson of Certification and Competition Committee, 2024
     

  • President's Medallion ACF National 2024 from Rene Marquis

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