October 2026 President’s Message | ACF Epicurean Club of Boston
Epicurean Club of Boston President’s Message
By Tim Foley, HAAC, President, ACF Epicurean Club of Boston
October 1, 2026
I hope everyone enjoyed the first few weeks of fall and that the recent nor’easter left you without any damage.
Our September meeting was outstanding! Amelia’s presented some of the family’s favorite foods, and the feedback was clear: the food was delicious. Thank you to Chef John Disessa and Chef Rico DiFronzo for taking the lead.
The Epicurean Club of Boston, the oldest chefs’ club in America, takes pride in supporting people in need. Over the next few months, we’ll have several opportunities to volunteer in a variety of roles. Please don’t hesitate to get involved. Your help makes a difference, and we appreciate it.
Thank You to Everyone for Supporting the Connor Heffler Golf Classic
Our sixth annual Connor Heffler Golf Classic, benefiting Cops for Kids with Cancer, took place on September 28. What a great event!
Although the rain prevented us from playing golf, our club’s chefs went to work. With plenty of food on hand, we added a chowder station, a Smithfield pulled pork station with condiments, and a delicious buffet dinner featuring a roasted sirloin carving station.
A heartfelt thank-you to our outstanding culinary team:
Chef John Disessa
Chef Jimmy Dimarzio
Chef Rory Gallagher
Chef Todd Snopkowski
Chef Rico DiFronzo
Chef Steve Lawrence
I greatly appreciate your culinary expertise and support. My family and I are grateful to have you.
A special thank-you also goes to George Montillio’s, Anthony McCauley, and Todd Macleod for your generous donations.
Upcoming Meetings, Celebrations & Volunteer Opportunities
I’m looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our upcoming events.
October 5: Cape Cod Chapter Meeting
The Cape Cod chapter will host its meeting at Chefs Warehouse, 2301 Purchase Street, #1, New Bedford, MA, beginning at 6 p.m.
Chef Rene Marquis, National President of the ACF, will attend.
October 28: Membership Meeting at Affinity Group
*Please note the date change: Our October meeting will take place on October 28.
Join us at 6 p.m. at Affinity Group, 174 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, MA. Affinity Group is a leading commercial foodservice broker in New England.
Our friends at Smithfield Culinary, including Todd Macleod, will host the event, which will feature education on pork. We’re looking forward to an educational meeting and outstanding food!
November 1: 134th President’s Gala
Our 134th President’s Gala will take place at 6 p.m. at The Weston Country Club, 275 Meadowbrook Road, Weston, MA.
Our featured chef, Chef Thomas Downey, and his culinary team will prepare an evening of fine dining as we celebrate with awards, colleagues, and friends.
Please bring a guest and join us for this special evening. Tickets are now available on our website.
November 10: Chefs Feeding Veterans
Join us at 5:30 p.m. at AMVETS of Natick, 79 Superior Drive, Natick, MA, for our second year of Chefs Feeding Veterans.
We consider it an honor to thank our veterans for their service with a special celebratory meal. If you’re interested in volunteering, we’d love to have you. Please contact me to get involved—all are welcome.
November 16: Boston Children’s Hospital Burger Challenge
Mark your calendar for the Boston Children’s Hospital Burger Challenge on November 16. Stay tuned for additional details.
November 25: Thanksgiving Dinner Preparation at My Brother’s Table
Please join us at My Brother’s Table, 98 Willow Street, Lynn, MA, as we participate in Chef John Disessa’s annual Thanksgiving dinner preparation for people experiencing homelessness.
This is an amazing charity event, and the Epicurean Club of Boston is fortunate to be part of it. If you’d like to join us and help those in need, please reach out to me. You won’t regret it!
December 21: Annual Holiday Gift Drive
Our annual holiday gift drive will support Toys for Tots and provide backpacks for people experiencing homelessness.
Stay tuned for more information as details become available.
Thank You to Our Purveyors & Sponsors
To all our purveyors, thank you for your unwavering support of the Epicurean Club of Boston. We appreciate your dedication to our profession and your ongoing encouragement of our young culinarians.
To our members, please remember to support our sponsor friends.
October Highlights & Seasonal Ingredients
October brings Oktoberfest, Halloween, Diwali, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Pork Month, and the continuation of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Some of the best foods to enjoy in October include:
Apples and pears
Grapes, figs, and pomegranates
Melons
Winter squash and pumpkins
Root vegetables
Remember, don’t sweat the small stuff. Be the chef you’ve always dreamed of becoming.
Please keep Al Fletcher in your thoughts as he faces a difficult battle ahead.
Sincerely,
Tim Foley, HAAC
President, ACF Epicurean Club of Boston
