Greetings, Fellow Culinarians and Colleagues,

I am extremely honored to be serving as the President for the ACF Palm Beach County Chefs Association for the next two years, and I am grateful for the chapter members and mentors that have helped me along the way.  This year I will be celebrating my 50th year in the kitchen and I feel like I’ve never worked a day in my life because cooking is my life and it brings me great joy.  I am very proud to say I have been an active ACF member since 1988 and served on various boards in Virginia and Washington D.C. prior to Palm Beach County.

I have a passion for donating my time and energy to raising funds for multiple charities, including the food banks of Virginia, Washington D.C., and Palm Beach County. As well as numerous agencies in our area, including St. Ann Place, The Lord’s Place, The American Heart Association, Alliance for Eating Disorders, and Autism Speaks.  Additionally, I serve on the advisory board of Quantum House.

I have no formal culinary education, but thanks to the generosity and talent of so many mentors before me I was able to become an executive chef at the age of 26.  I am a proud member of the American Academy of Chefs, and the Honorable Order of the Golden Toque, where I can continue to try to give back to our younger culinarians either through scholarship or mentorship.  

This is your chapter, and I welcome any input ideas accolades or criticisms to help us grow as one of the top chapters in the country. I am extremely humbled to carry on this legacy of great leadership and charitable contributions by our current and former board members and committee chairs.  

Jeff Simms, HAAC, HGT

Executive Chef, The Breakers Palm Beach